An Evangelical Christian group is aiming to shift the 2024 race by convincing voters of faith to support Vice President Kamala Harris, hoping to make inroads with those who have been alienated by former President Donald Trump's rhetoric.
Evangelical Christians have traditionally been a key demographic in Republican presidential races, with an overwhelming majority backing Trump in 2016 and 2020. However, a pro-Harris group, Evangelicals for Harris, believes it can appeal to those who have become disillusioned with Trump's divisive language.
Rev. Lee Scott, a Pennsylvania farmer, pastor, and registered Republican who supports Harris, explained that the group aims to encourage deeper civic engagement and reflection on the intersection of faith and politics. He criticized Trump for exploiting Christian voters for his own political gain and promoting behavior that violates biblical principles.
Evangelicals Emerge as a Potential Swing Vote in the 2024 Presidential Race
Evangelicals for Harris contends that Harris' policies and character better align with Christian values. They cite her public service record and commitment to issues such as access to healthcare and support for adoption and foster care. The group has already garnered over 200,000 evangelical pledges of support.
Scott acknowledged that he doesn't fully align with the Democratic platform, particularly on abortion, but believes Christians should consider a broader range of issues when making political decisions. He argued that the Democrats offer better plans in areas such as healthcare and support for families.
Evangelicals Emerge as a Potential Swing Vote in the 2024 Presidential Race
Evangelicals for Harris faces scrutiny from conservative Christians who criticize Harris' and Democratic presidential candidate Tim Walz's stance on abortion, gender ideology, and other issues they deem antithetical to Christian beliefs. The group has drawn particular condemnation from Rev. Franklin Graham, who accused them of exploiting his father Billy Graham's image in an attack ad against Trump.
Despite this opposition, Evangelicals for Harris plans to spend over $1 million on an ad campaign targeting religious voters in swing states. They have released several videos, including one featuring Harris discussing how her faith guides her to care for her neighbor and another warning of Trump as a "false prophet."
Evangelicals Emerge as a Potential Swing Vote in the 2024 Presidential Race
The group's efforts have generated mixed reactions. While some evangelicals have expressed support, others have expressed concerns about the group's association with figures who have made controversial statements about race and police reform.
The role of evangelical voters in the 2024 election remains uncertain, but Evangelicals for Harris hopes to persuade a significant portion of them to support Harris. The group's success could potentially swing the balance in favor of the Democrats, particularly in closely contested swing states.
Evangelicals Emerge as a Potential Swing Vote in the 2024 Presidential Race
