Featured Post from Cedarville University

The 47th President

Nov 15, 2024

2 min

Mark Caleb Smith, Ph.D.

Former President Donald Trump was re-elected as the 47th president of the United States.


He will be only the second president to serve two nonconsecutive terms—the first being Grover Cleveland in the 1800s. Much of the country shifted right this election cycle, resulting in Trump earning the electoral vote and the popular vote. This is the first time the Republican candidate has the earned the popular vote since 2004, during George W. Bush's reelection campaign.



Political expert, Dr. Mark Caleb Smith focused in on how the Christian vote may have affected this outcome.In a recent Christianity Today article, Dr. Mark Caleb Smith provides some insight into how Christians voted in the most recent election.



Here are some key points from the recent article:

  • President Joe Biden is a lifelong Catholic, but since he dropped out of the presidential race, many Catholics voted for Trump rather than Vice President Kamala Harris. How did the Catholic vote for Trump shift from the last election?
  • Trump's victory seems to indicate the importance of economics for American voters. Did Trump's economic policies sway the votes of evangelicals, rather than his stances on social issues like abortion?
  • Although Trump had the majority of the evangelical vote, there is still a minority that rejects Trump on account of his character and tone. Did these voters lean towards the Democratic candidate, Kamala Harris, or did their votes go to third-party candidates?


If you are a journalist covering the election results and transition of power, our experts are here to help with all of your questions and stories.


Dr. Mark Caleb Smith is the Director of the Center for Political Studies at Cedarville University. Mark is available to speak with the media regarding election emotions, the election results, and upcoming transition of power. Simply click on his icon or email mweinstein@cedarville.edu to arrange an interview.




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Mark Caleb Smith, Ph.D.

Mark Caleb Smith, Ph.D.

Professor of Political Science

Dr. Smith is an expert in American politics, campaigns & elections, and constitutional law.

Constitutional LawPresidential PoliticsPresidential Campaigns

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