According to a new survey, 50 per cent of US Protestant pastors have said they plan to vote for former president Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election.
The Lifeway Research study also found that almost a quarter (23 per cent) declined to disclose their voting preferences – significantly higher than in previous elections, where just 4 per cent refused in 2020 and 3 per cent in 2016.
The poll, conducted between 8th August and 3rd September 2024, also showed that just under a quarter (24 per cent) of pastors plan to support Vice President Kamala Harris in her bid for the presidency, while no third-party candidate received more than 1 per cent backing.
Scott McConnell, executive director of Lifeway Research highlighted a trend of increasing hesitation among pastors to reveal their political leanings. He suggested this shift could reflect the growing “sensitivity” and “divisiveness” of political discussions within church communities.
