A growing number of Democratic congressional candidates are placing their Christian faith at the heart of their midterm campaign strategies.
The group includes ordained clergy and seminary students running in competitive states such as Texas, Kansas, and Iowa.
At least six Democratic candidates this election cycle are ordained ministers or divinity students who invoke biblical teachings to advocate for healthcare, veterans' support, immigration reform, and economic policy.
One prominent figure is James Talarico, a Texas House state representative, Presbyterian seminary student, and Democratic U. S.
Senate nominee.
Talarico frequently addresses church congregations to connect political issues with biblical principles.
During a campaign stop at Brentwood Baptist Church in Houston, he told worshippers, "I want to speak to you this morning, not as a candidate, but as a fellow Christian."
He shared that his grandfather was a Baptist preacher in south Texas and taught him that Christianity is a simple religion.
Talarico said spiritual principles can offer guidance during times of national political division and conflict.
"Sometimes we see the world most clearly through our tears.
If your heart is breaking as you watch what's happening to our beloved country, it means you still have a heart," he said.
"So blessed are you who weep."
Republican opponents have forcefully rejected the religious rhetoric from Democratic campaigns.
Texas Lt. Gov.
Dan Patrick said, "I've never seen so much blasphemy from anyone running for office."
He added, "And let me tell you what, I'm going to pray for that guy, because when he loses the Senate race, if he campaigns against God, as he's been doing, he's going to hell for sure."
Talarico responded directly to conservative criticisms during his sermon in Houston.
"The real blasphemy is kicking the sick off their healthcare to fund tax cuts for billionaires," Talarico said.
Candice Stroud, a member of Brentwood Baptist Church for over 40 years, voiced approval for the candidate's faith-focused campaign stance.
"I think Democrats have been talking about religion for years.
It's just nobody wants to listen to us if you don't say what they want to hear," Stroud said.
When asked to clarify who she was referring to, Stroud pointed directly to political opponents.
"The Republicans, basically. They don't want to hear that we are Christians.
We go to church. We believe in the Bible," Stroud said.
Pew Research Center's 2023-24 Religious Landscape Study shows that 28 percent of Democrats and Democratic-leaning adults consider religion very important in their lives, compared to higher percentages among Republicans.
During a town hall meeting with nearly 700 attendees in Houston, Talarico emphasized his commitment to separation of church and state despite his personal faith.
"My faith is central in my life," Talarico said. "But I also know that the most dangerous form of government is theocracy.
Because the only thing worse than a tyrant is a tyrant who thinks they're on a mission from God."
Talarico also criticized Christian nationalism and alleged religious ideology within federal departments.
"That is what we've seen from the Department of Defense," Talarico said. "We have seen Christian Nationalism infiltrate our Defense Department from Secretary Hegseth."
His Republican opponent, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, challenged Talarico's platform at a summer campaign rally.
"We cannot let Texas turn based on a deceiver like James Talarico, who does not want the world to know who he really is," Paxton said.
At the Houston town hall event, voters expressed varied reactions to the strategy.
Brandon Sterling, a 40-year-old nurse practitioner in attendance, acknowledged the regional influence of religion.
"I would say I'm more spiritual than religious, and the only thing I do religiously is I get up.
I go to work. Go to the gym," Sterling said.
Sterling noted that religious messaging remains effective in Southern politics.
"We're here in the South. You know, a lot of people lead their political views with their religious views.
So if this is the voice or if this is how you have to reach the greatest amount of people, then so be it," Sterling said.
"It doesn't offend me at all."
Volunteer canvasser Madison Vega said Talarico's faith message appealed to her despite her own distance from organized religion.
"Part of the reason that I've kind of lost my closeness to the church is just that I kind of heard a lot of divisive messaging from church when I was growing up," Vega said.
"And I like the way he doesn't use Christianity as a weapon."
However, voter Kristin Kott voiced skepticism about mixing faith with governance while speaking with canvassers.
"Talking about religion as it relates to policy and things like that, I would be turned off by," Kott said.
"I don't think religion should play into government and politics at all. I thought the country was founded"
Several Democratic congressional candidates are placing Christian faith at the center of their midterm campaigns to reach voters in competitive red districts.
