"Shocking" number of white clergy run as Democrats in 2026
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Dozens of white clergy are signing up to run as Democrats in 2026, as progressive faith leaders push back on the political dominance of the Christian right.
Why it matters: Democrats have a track record of Black clergy running for office, including Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) and Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.). But when white pastors have run, it's usually been as Republicans.
- "We're tracking about 30 white clergy who are running for office as Democrats around the country. That's shocking," said Doug Pagitt, a pastor and executive director of the progressive Christian group Vote Common Good.
- This wave of clergy is weaving Scripture into online defenses of Democratic politics, and joining other progressive faith leaders in challenging President Trump on immigration, civil rights and poverty.
Zoom in: Robb Ryerse, a Christian pastor and former Republican, is challenging Rep. Steve Womack (R-Ark.) as a Democrat and using the slogan "Faith, Family, & Freedom" in his campaign literature — language typically used by the GOP.
- Iowa state Rep. Sarah Trone Garriott, an Evangelical Lutheran pastor, is seeking the Democratic nomination to challenge U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn (R-Iowa) in one of the nation's most-watched swing House races in 2026.
- Justin Douglas, a Pennsylvania pastor and county commissioner, is seeking the Democratic nomination to face Republican U.S. Rep. Scott Perry in a closely watched race in the swing south-central part of the state.
- Texas state Rep. James Talarico, a 36-year-old part-time seminary student and former public school teacher, has garnered a social media following in his Democratic primary bid for U.S. Senate in Texas.
The intrigue: In viral social media posts, Talarico uses Scripture to promote helping the poor and marginalized while attacking Republicans' embrace of Christian nationalism and corporate profits.
- "Instead of posting the 10 Commandments in every classroom, why don't they post, 'Money is the root of all evil' in every boardroom?" he asks in one popular post.
- Ryerse told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette he's running as a Democrat because the party embraces compassion for others and aligns with his faith.
The big picture: Progressive faith leaders also are escorting immigrants to court hearings and leading vigils to prevent clashes at protests.
- Joseph Tomás McKellar, executive director of the advocacy organization PICO California, tells Axios that a nonpartisan but political "bearing witness middle" has emerged and wants change "without demonizing."
The bottom line: Trump took 85% of the white evangelical vote and 57% of the white mainline/non-evangelical Protestant vote in 2024, according to a Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) survey.
- Hispanic Protestants leaned toward Trump 64%-36%.
- Hispanic Catholics leaned toward former Vice President Harris 55%-43%.
- Black Protestant voters supported Harris 83%-16%.
