In the unfolding landscape of the 2024 presidential race, a noteworthy shift is emerging among white evangelical voters, with President Joe Biden seemingly gaining ground against former President Donald Trump.
A recent poll conducted by Fox News on March 3 revealed a surge in support for Biden among white evangelical voters compared to earlier surveys. According to the most recent data gathered from February 25 to 28, 28 percent of white evangelicals expressed their inclination to vote for Biden if the election were held today.
In contrast, the poll indicated that 68 percent of white evangelical voters still favored Trump for the 2024 election. However, Biden’s increasing support signals a noteworthy development in the electoral landscape.
This momentum for Biden among white evangelicals contrasts with previous polls. In October, a Fox News survey found that 23 percent of white evangelicals would support Biden, while 73 percent leaned toward Trump. Similarly, in August, only 17 percent of white evangelical voters expressed support for Biden in a hypothetical matchup against Trump.
Donald Trump (Credits: CBS News)
The ongoing contest between Trump and Biden remains closely contested, with the latest Fox News poll showing Biden garnering 47 percent of voter support compared to Trump’s 49 percent.
White evangelicals played a pivotal role in Trump’s victories in the 2016 and 2020 elections. Trump solidified a significant alliance with white evangelical Christians, who rallied behind him due to his stance on issues such as abortion and religious freedom. Trump’s pledges to champion evangelical causes, appoint conservative judges, and safeguard religious liberties resonated strongly with this demographic.
Despite facing challenges such as impeachment, a global pandemic, and social unrest during his first term, Trump managed to maintain substantial support among white evangelicals. Exit polls from both the 2016 and 2020 elections indicated strong backing for Trump from this demographic, ranging from 76 percent to 81 percent, according to the Associated Press.
In the lead-up to the 2020 election, Trump’s administration fulfilled several promises to evangelical voters, including the appointment of three conservative justices to the U.S. Supreme Court and the implementation of policies perceived as pro-life and pro-religious freedom.
Trump’s stance on Israel, particularly his decision to relocate the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem, further cemented his appeal among evangelical Christians, who view Israel’s existence as fulfilling biblical prophecy.
In contrast, President Biden, a devout Catholic, has endeavored to connect with religious voters, including white evangelicals. Biden has frequently discussed his faith in relation to his policy decisions and personal resilience, emphasizing the role of faith in public life and the significance of religious freedom.
Despite Trump’s enduring support among white evangelicals, Biden’s efforts to engage with this demographic reflect an ongoing dynamic in the political landscape leading up to the 2024 election.
