They will be voting to prevent ‘far leftism.’
Christians are expected to be motivated to vote in November due to concerns about the “far-left” positions of the Democratic ticket, despite some dissatisfaction with the softened stance of the Republican platform on certain social issues important to Christian conservatives. Political activists note that the GOP platform for 2024, which has been viewed by some as taking a less firm stance on abortion and omitting any mention of banning same-sex marriage, has elicited mixed reactions among social conservatives.
Chad Connelly, founder of Faith Wins and the Republican National Committee’s first national director of Faith Engagement, acknowledged that while some social conservatives might be disappointed with the platform, he doesn’t foresee them abstaining from voting for Trump. Connelly emphasized that despite any frustration with the GOP’s approach to these issues, Christian conservatives will likely support the most conservative candidate due to the stark contrast between the Republican and Democratic tickets.
Connelly believes that the selection of Harris and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as the Democratic candidates could actually mobilize the Christian vote, viewing their positions as some of the most radical in American political history. He pointed to Walz’s actions during the riots and Harris’s support for bail funds for those involved as factors that would likely strengthen Christian voter turnout.
Other conservative leaders share similar views. Timothy Head, executive director of the Faith & Freedom Coalition, which works to mobilize conservative Christian voters, expressed confidence that most conservative Christians will vote despite the GOP platform controversies, highlighting the clear differences between the Republican and Democratic tickets.
Walker Wildmon, vice president of the American Family Association, acknowledged the disappointment with the GOP platform changes but emphasized that the Republican Party still offers the most pro-life candidates compared to the Democratic Party, which has largely embraced pro-abortion stances. Chris Sadler, acting CEO of My Faith Votes, also expressed disappointment with the platform, viewing it as a betrayal of Christian voters and a failure to defend the unborn.
Nicole Hunt of Focus on the Family voiced dissatisfaction with the GOP’s shift away from explicitly protecting unborn children, reinforcing her organization’s unwavering commitment to the pro-life cause. Despite the platform changes, conservative Christian groups remain focused on advocating for life and expect to continue their efforts regardless of political setbacks.
There is also frustration among some conservatives regarding the process that led to the GOP platform revisions. Connelly and others described the process as being less transparent and more controlled by consultants than in previous years, leading to dissatisfaction among some delegates who felt their voices were not adequately heard.
Despite these challenges, organizations like the Faith & Freedom Coalition felt that their input was considered in the process, even though the platform itself did not fully reflect all of their views. Overall, conservative Christians are expected to remain engaged and active in the upcoming election, driven by the clear ideological divide between the major parties.
