"He studied at Liberty, a Christian university founded by the conservative pastor and televangelist Jerry Falwell, and recalls wearing a T-shirt expressing opposition to Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry. Two decades later, Justin Douglas is running for the US Congress as a Democrat. He is among around 30 Christian white clergy pastors, seminary students and other faith leaders known to be potential Democratic candidates in next year's midterm elections, including a dozen who are already in the race."
"While stressing the separation of church and state, many say that on a personal level their faith is calling them into the political arena. The trend marks a break from a traditional racial divide. Whereas Black pastors who run for office are typically Democrats, their white counterparts are usually Republicans, reflecting the strength of the religious right and the party's dominance among evangelical voters."
"Douglas, 41, based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, is among a new generation of the Christian left aiming to change that narrative by ensuring that the Democratic brand is not associated with only college-educated urbanites, but can also connect with white working class churchgoers. We've seen Democrats time and time again sell out working class people and we've seen Democrats time and time again look like liberal elitists"
Justin Douglas grew up on a farm in Indiana, studied at Liberty University, and once opposed John Kerry but is now running for Congress as a Democrat. He is one of roughly 30 white Christian clergy, pastors, seminary students and faith leaders who are considering or running as Democrats in next year’s midterms. Many emphasize separation of church and state while saying personal faith motivates political engagement. The trend challenges a racial divide in which Black pastors typically align with Democrats and white pastors with Republicans. Douglas seeks to broaden Democratic appeal to white working-class churchgoers and criticizes both parties’ faith postures.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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