14% of Americans Back Christian Nationalism, but It Dominates Midterm Politics

The 2026 midterm elections are approaching with religious identity acting as a primary driver of voter motivation, even as the percentage of Americans strongly adhering to Christian nationalism has dropped slightly. Andrew Whitehead, a sociology professor at Indiana University Indianapolis and research fellow for the Charles F. Kettering Foundation, presented data on this shift on October 30. He noted that while fewer people hold strong views, the rhetoric has become more embedded in national discourse.

The survey, which combined Kettering Foundation data with Gallup’s annual national poll of more than 23,000 adults, found that approximately 14% of the U.S. population strongly embraces Christian nationalism. Just over 16% of respondents described themselves as at least sympathetic to the belief system. Whitehead defined Christian nationalism as the view that Christianity defines the nation and that the government should actively maintain that status.

This sentiment is not evenly distributed. Among white Americans, 31% are at least sympathetic to the ideology. Men show higher levels of support than women, with one-third of men expressing sympathy compared to 28% of women. Political affiliation also plays a major role, as 55% of Republicans either strongly embrace or sympathize with Christian nationalism.

Whitehead pointed out a stark divide in how these two groups view the current state of democracy. Americans who strongly embrace Christian nationalism generally report that democracy is functioning well. In contrast, those who reject the ideology are far less optimistic, with very few saying democracy is doing well or even okay. This difference in perception influences how voters prioritize their concerns at the ballot box.

The nearly 70% of respondents who resist or reject Christian nationalism are highly motivated for the upcoming elections. Whitehead said this group is driven to the polls to force Congress to check the power of the executive branch. He noted that this check has been absent during the first two years of the Trump administration. This group views specific threats to democracy more seriously than their counterparts who embrace the ideology.

Although combining religion and politics is more common among Republicans, the current cycle includes a notable presence of clergy in Democratic Congressional races. Five Democrats running for Congress are either current clergy or in training to become clergy. Their presence underscores the continued intersection of faith and political campaigning in this year's contests.

The data suggests that while the core of strong Christian nationalist support is shrinking, its impact on political strategy and voter sentiment is expanding. Candidates and media figures continue to use this rhetoric to frame the national conversation, ensuring it remains a central theme in the 2026 political landscape.