Clergy and other Christian-message Democrats helped flip control of Congress

The short version

• Associated Press reports that clergy and other Democrats with explicit Christian messages helped their party flip control of Congress in the midterms.[Associated Press]
• According to The AP Voter Poll, about 7 in 10 Protestants who identify as liberal or moderate voted for Democrats, based on a survey of roughly 100,000 voters.[Associated Press]
• Robert Jeffress disputes that the pluralistic message is authentically Christian, while Ryan Burge says favorable political winds also helped the winners.[Associated Press]

Key facts

• Clergy members and other Democratic candidates with a Christian message helped their party flip control of Congress in the midterm elections.[Associated Press]
• According to The AP Voter Poll, a survey of roughly 100,000 midterm voters, about 7 in 10 Protestants who identify as liberal or moderate voted for Democrats.[Associated Press]
• Adam Hamilton said many people felt strongly that events in Washington were not moral and did not reflect national values.[Associated Press]
• Brian Kaylor, a Baptist pastor and editor of a progressive faith and politics site, said the evangelical effort to corner the market on Christianity was repudiated.[Associated Press]
• Professor Ryan Burge asserts that the Democratic clergy winners were strong candidates but also benefited from very favorable political winds.[Associated Press]
• Robert Jeffress maintains that the pluralistic religion promoted by Talarico and other candidates is not actually Christianity, a criticism also raised during their campaigns.[Associated Press]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.

• Democratic candidates with a Christian message help flip CongressAssociated Press · Wire: associated-press