Featured Post from University of Mary Washington

Can white evangelicals still swing the midterms?

Nov 5, 2018

1 min

Evangelicals overwhelmingly voted for Donald Trump in the 2016 election. And they overwhelmingly prefer Republican candidates in the midterms. They’re also reliable voters -- and support for Trump among white evangelicals remained at an all-time high with just days to go.

Democrats, on the other hand, will rely on a less-certain electorate of young and diverse voters. This could make the difference in Tuesday's outcome.

“Social conservatives could swing important races across the country if other voters don’t turn out in the numbers Democrats are hoping for,” writes Dylan Scott on Vox.com, which called white evangelicals “the sleeping giant of the midterms.”

Still, according to The New York Times: “Young evangelicals are questioning the typical ties between evangelicalism and Republican politics. Many said it had caused schisms within their families. And many described a real struggle with an administration they see as hostile to immigrants, Muslims, L.G.B.T.Q. people, and the poor. They feel it reflects a loss of humanity, which conflicts with their spiritual call.”

Emile Lester, assistant professor of political science at the University of Mary Washington, is an expert in religion and politics whose research published by the First Amendment Center has been featured in The New York Times, The American Interest, USA Today and on C-Span, NPR and various other media outlets around the nation.

Emile is available to speak with reporters about the political behavior of evangelical Christian voters. Just click on his icon to arrange an interview.

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Emile J. Lester

Professor of Political Science

Dr. Lester is an expert in church and state issues, especially controversies surrounding teaching religion in schools.

American Constitutional LawChurch and State IssuesTeaching Religion in SchoolsMinority Religious GroupsPolitical Philosophy

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Aug 31, 2026

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