In the lead-up to the 2026 midterm elections, conservative leaders are urging Republicans to prioritize mobilizing White evangelical voters, a key demographic whose turnout could significantly influence elections across the country. Concerns are growing that a lack of engagement from this group might benefit Democrats in critical races, especially with control of Congress at stake.
A Texas evangelical pastor, who requested anonymity, expressed worries, saying, “I am not aware of any party machine that is at work right now to turn out evangelical voters. Maybe they are assuming they are going to show up, but that is a dangerous assumption.” There is limited evidence that national Republican campaign committees are actively working to engage evangelical voters, leaving much of the grassroots mobilization to local churches and organizations such as the Faith and Freedom Coalition.
The Faith and Freedom Coalition has launched initiatives aimed at increasing participation among “drop-off voters”—evangelicals who tend to vote in presidential elections but are often absent during midterms. The urgency for these efforts is heightened by upcoming races in the South, including contests in Texas, Georgia, Kansas, and South Carolina, where notable candidates are facing unexpected challenges.
Historically, approximately 80% of White evangelicals voted for Donald Trump in the last three presidential elections. Despite making up 13% of the U.S. population, their turnout can represent about 20% of the electorate in major elections, according to the Public Religion Research Institute. Ryan Burge, a professor at the John C. Danforth Center on Religion and Politics, underscored the importance of the evangelical vote for Republican success, stating, “They cannot win without the evangelical vote.”
The current political and economic climate presents challenges for Republicans. High gas and grocery prices, combined with tepid enthusiasm among GOP voters, have raised questions about whether evangelicals will turn out in full force on Election Day. Representative Mark Harris from North Carolina noted, “Evangelicals have to put gas in their cars just like everybody else,” highlighting the impact of economic pressures on voter behavior.
To counter these trends, faith leaders are mobilizing their congregations. Willy Rice, president of the Southern Baptist Convention, called on pastors to educate their communities about the stakes of the midterm elections. Chad Connelly, who previously served as the national director of faith engagement for the Republican National Committee, has been actively meeting with pastors across the country to enhance voter mobilization from the pulpit.
While some evangelical leaders express concern about turnout, Ralph Reed, founder of the Faith and Freedom Coalition, remains optimistic about engaging evangelical voters, despite acknowledging economic challenges. He stated, “We’re sailing into headwinds, and we all understand that, but I’m confident that we will deliver this vote.”
Simultaneously, Democrats are increasing efforts to attract White Christian voters by emphasizing faith-based values that resonate with their party’s priorities. They are recruiting candidates like James Talarico in Texas, who present a different perspective aimed at bridging the so-called God gap in the electorate. Democrats are focusing on themes of compassion and community, arguing that their values align with those of evangelical communities, particularly on issues like immigration and healthcare.
As the midterm election approaches, the challenge remains for Republicans to energize their evangelical base and effectively compete against a resurgent Democratic push for White Christian voters. The outcome of these efforts will be closely observed as Election Day draws near.
