Democrats Run on Faith in 2026 Midterms
Several Democratic candidates are campaigning on their Christian faith ahead of the November 3, 2026 midterm elections.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Christianity
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Democrats are running on their Christian faith in the November 3, 2026 midterm elections, led by Senate nominees James Talarico in Texas and Adam Hamilton in Kansas. President Donald Trump has criticized both candidates over their religious statements and views.
Why it matters
The campaigns test whether faith-based messaging can win support from voters who have backed Republicans by wide margins for decades. GOP leaders argue several candidates hold abortion and sexuality views at odds with many Christian voters.
The most recent Democratic wins were in Texas in 1988 and in Kansas in 1932, establishing long gaps the current candidates are trying to close. Whether voters respond to these faith-centered campaigns will not be clear until the election concludes.
The players
James Talarico
A Texas state representative and seminary student running for the U.S. Senate as a Democrat in Texas.
Adam Hamilton
A liberal United Methodist Church pastor and Kansas megachurch leader running for a Kansas Senate seat as a Democrat.
Donald Trump
The current President of the United States, who has publicly criticized both candidates over their religious views and past remarks.
The details
James Talarico, a Texas state representative and seminary student, is seeking to become the first Democrat to win a U.S. Senate race in Texas since 1988. Adam Hamilton, a liberal United Methodist Church pastor and Kansas megachurch pastor, is seeking a Kansas Senate seat. Trump criticized Talarico over a 2021 podcast in which he called himself a Christian who hates Christianity, and said Hamilton openly mocks Jesus.
Timeline
2021: Talarico recorded the podcast remarks that Trump later criticized.
November 3, 2026: Midterm elections in which the Democratic candidates are running.
Political Context
Evangelicals have backed Republicans by wide margins for decades, and GOP leaders argue that several Democratic candidates hold abortion and sexuality views at odds with many Christian voters. The 2026 Democratic faith campaigns test whether that long-standing alignment can be meaningfully challenged.
Voters in Texas and Kansas will decide these Senate races on November 3, 2026, potentially shifting representation in the U.S. Senate. Readers following faith-based campaigning can watch how candidates' religious messaging influences turnout among religious voters.
The takeaway
Faith is becoming a central campaign theme for Democrats in 2026, and its effect on long-standing voting patterns will become clearer after the November 3 elections.
What happens next
The midterm elections take place on November 3, 2026, when voters will decide the Texas and Kansas Senate races.
Further reading
For more on faith and belief in public life, explore Christianity coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Christian Post.
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