Trump Gains Support Among Religious Voters, Poll Reveals

A recent survey conducted by the Pew Research Center highlights a significant endorsement for former President Trump among religious voters, with 52% of Catholics and 61% of Protestants backing him for president. In contrast, former Vice President Kamala Harris receives support from 47% of Catholics and 37% of Protestants, suggesting a growing schism between Harris's policies and the values of these religious communities.

As awareness of Harris's progressive policies increases, her prior actions as attorney general of California have raised concerns among religious voters. Notably, in the 2014 Burwell v. Hobby Lobby case, Harris advocated for a ruling that would have compelled Hobby Lobby to cover contraception, contradicting the company's religious beliefs. The Supreme Court ultimately sided with Hobby Lobby, affirming the right of businesses to operate according to their religious convictions.

Harris also played a pivotal role in promoting the Reproductive FACT Act in 2015, which mandated that pro-life pregnancy centers disclose information about abortion services. This law was struck down by the Supreme Court in 2018, as it was deemed to infringe upon free speech rights, further alienating her from religious groups.

During her tenure in the Senate, Harris introduced the Do No Harm Act, aiming to limit religious exemptions from certain government regulations, a move that has drawn criticism from advocates of religious liberty. This act posed threats to the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, a foundational law safeguarding the rights of religious practice in the United States.

Moreover, Harris was a co-sponsor of the Equality Act, which alarmed many religious organizations, including the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, who characterized the legislation as detrimental to religious freedom. Her scrutiny of judicial nominees based on their association with the Knights of Columbus, a Catholic fraternal organization, further illustrates her contentious relationship with faith-based institutions.

Through these developments, it is evident that Harris's political trajectory has distanced her from a significant segment of the electorate that prioritizes religious freedoms, leading many to favor Trump's proven advocacy for such rights.