Rev. Lee Scott publicly endorsed Kamala Harris for president during the Evangelicals for Harris Zoom call on Aug. 14, citing a need for transformation in the political landscape. Scott, a Presbyterian pastor and farmer from Butler, Pennsylvania, expressed concerns over the normalization of 'vitriol' and 'acceptable violence' in politics, particularly in the aftermath of an attack in his community where a would-be assassin targeted former President Donald Trump.
While Trump has traditionally enjoyed strong support from white evangelical voters, a growing coalition of evangelicals is seeking to distance themselves from the former president. Some evangelicals have raised issues with Trump's stance on key issues such as abortion and same-sex marriage, prompting them to explore alternative candidates like Harris.
Groups like Evangelicals for Harris are mobilizing to sway evangelical voters away from Trump, emphasizing the importance of supporting a candidate who aligns with their values. The organization is expanding its outreach efforts and plans to spend significantly on targeted advertisements in the upcoming election.
Harris' campaign has also ramped up its religious outreach, hiring experienced faith-based organizers to engage with various religious communities. The campaign is particularly focusing on reaching out to Black Protestants, Latino evangelicals, Catholics, mainline Protestants, and members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in key swing states.
Despite challenges in convincing some evangelicals to support a Democrat, grassroots groups are working to address concerns and build common ground on issues like immigration and abortion. The push to engage Democratic evangelical voters reflects a broader effort to redefine evangelicalism beyond partisan lines and showcase diverse voices within the faith community.
