The Democratic Party is missing an opportunity to engage Christian voters

When Josh Shapiro ran for Governor of Pennsylvania in 2022, he was up against Doug Mastriano, an outspoken Christian nationalist who wanted to impose his faith on others. 

As an evangelical pastor myself, Mastriano and I come from the same religious tradition, but we fundamentally disagree when it comes to how we interpret Christian values. On the other hand, Shapiro and I come from different religious traditions, yet our values align around upholding the common good.

My organization worked with Shapiro during his 2022 campaign as he spoke directly to faith voters both within and outside of his own Jewish faith. His message was clear: He wanted to welcome all of God's children into this campaign and promised to fight for them equally as governor. I wholeheartedly believe that this message helped Shapiro win. 

The theory of change isn't about running on religious ideals. It is about doing outreach differently, which could help many other Democratic candidates win their elections, especially in critical swing states.

A new poll from Vote Common Good and Change Research proves that there is an opportunity for Democrats in 2026 and beyond to deepen their connection to voters of faith, including those who voted for Democrats in 2024 and some of those who did not. 

The generally accepted narrative is that religious voters must vote Republican, but this is not true in practice. Christian voters already make up a sizable bloc for Democrats. In fact, 77 percent of Harris voters either identified as "born-again" or "evangelical" Christians, or said that they pray, that religion has some importance to them, that they attend church or that they identify with a religion. 

In our poll, 80 percent of self-identifying Christian voters say that they are willing to vote for a Democrat, which includes 38 percent of those who said they have only ever voted for Republicans. These are the gettable Christian voters that Democrats should be looking to reach.

Nearly 14 percent of Christian voters have low Christian identity, believe churches should stay out of politics and say they vote for Democrats all or most of the time. Another 3 percent of Christian voters split their ticket between Democrats and Republicans.

Small hinges open big doors. In a polarized political climate where elections are won in the margin of error, it is time for Democratic candidates and their campaigns to take notice. By moving an additional 2 or 3 percent of Christian voters, Democrats could garner millions of votes and win pivotal races in key battleground states.

But the poll clearly shows that there is more possibility beyond attracting 3 percent of Christian voters. Around 30 percent of respondents identify as having medium or low Christian identity, often vote for Republicans, but either aren't sure or don't think that churches should be involved in political matters or favor one candidate over another. 

These voters are gettable for Democrats with the right outreach. That means speaking directly to religious voters, and letting them know: "I like you, we need you."

Again, I'm not suggesting that the Democratic Party should change its values or its policies in future election cycles. I'm also not suggesting that the Democratic Party should run religious candidates. I am suggesting that the Democratic Party should reevaluate the degree to which it engages with faith communities. 

In building profiles of Christians who will vote for Democrats, attitudes of Christian identity and the role of organized religion in politics will be most helpful in separating those who will consider voting for Democrats from those who won’t.

Don't get me wrong, serious challenges exist for Democrats. Faith voters reported a significant lack of trust in the Democratic Party and a general sentiment that the Democratic Party is unfriendly to faith voters. It will take significant investment and effort to change that.

Democrats need to take the opportunities available to them — which Republicans are already doing. Just this week, the IRS decided to allow churches to endorse candidates, leveling a playing field that has been lopsided for decades. 

For too long, Republican politicians and their allies have spoken freely from pulpits, while too many Democrats and faith leaders held back, worried they would cross an invisible line. This decision removes that roadblock.

Shapiro's campaign is a great example of how letting faith voters know that you hear them, see them and even like them, makes a big difference. In my experience, Democratic Party politicians who spend time reaching out to Christian voters see the same positive results of their efforts—the exact same way that it works with other constituencies. 

In recent years, we've also worked with Reps. Katie Porter (D-Calif.) from California and Dean Phillips (D-Minn.) from Minnesota to help them reach voters of faith.

The Republican Party, and especially MAGA Republicans, may want to claim religion as a part of their party's identity, but it is clear that the Trump administration is not one grounded in faith or Christian principles. 

Voters who do not agree with what they are seeing in U.S. politics right now need to know that there is a place for them in the Democratic Party — for people like me, an Evangelical pastor by trade, who cares about the common good.

Much has been written over the past six months about what Democrats need to do in order to win elections in 2026, 2028 and beyond, and I would argue that the answer is clear. To become the majority party again, Democrats cannot ignore America's religious majority — Christian voters.

Doug Pagitt is the executive director and one of the founders of Vote Common Good. He is a leading voice for progressive Christianity, as well as an author, pastor and social activist.