Can clergy candidates help Democrats win in red states?

September 27, 2026

AI Summary

5 min read

In the final weeks before Election Day, Democrats need to pick up four seats in the House and four in the Senate to take control of Congress. To do it in deep-red states like Texas and Iowa—both of which Trump carried by more than 13 points in 2024—the party is turning to an unusual kind of candidate: clergy members. Unlike Republicans, who have long been comfortable talking about faith on the stump, these Democratic pastors and ministers-in-training must thread a fine needle. They need to appeal to religious voters without alienating the secular wing of their own party. Meanwhile, their Republican opponents are actively questioning whether these Democrats are real Christians at all. NPR religion correspondent Jason DeRose has been following four such candidates in competitive races, and he joined the Sunday story to explain what is driving them and whether their message is working.

The candidates and their callings

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What you'll learn

1 Timestamped Outline
2 (00:04) **Episode Introduction** - Aisha Roscoe introduces the question: can Democratic clergy candidates help the party win in red states?
3 (02:57) **Meet the Reporter and the Big Picture** - NPR Religion Correspondent Jason DeRose joins to explain why clergy are running now.
4 (05:00) **James Talarico: The Seminary Student in Texas** - A state representative and minister-in-training runs for U.S. Senate.
5 (07:42) **Frederick Haynes: The Megachurch Pastor in Dallas** - Pastor of 13,000-member Friendship West Baptist Church runs for U.S. House District 30.
6 (09:54) **Two Iowa Clergy: Sarah Trone Garriott and Lindsay James** - Both are Democratic nominees for U.S. House in red districts.
7 (12:08) **Republican Attacks: Questioning Faith Itself** - GOP opponents accuse these clergy of not being real Christians.

+ Full timestamped outline available in the app

Guests on this episode

Jason DeRose James Talarico

Show Notes

This November, a notable number of Democrats are running for Congress who all have one thing in common: they are members of the clergy. In a moment when the party is counting on every seat it can flip, will these clergy members be able to win over the party’s secular base? NPR’s religion correspondent Jason DeRose followed four of the candidates who are running competitive races in Texas and Iowa.

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