We are days away from the Iowa caucuses — the watershed moment every four years for would-be GOP nominees, and the first real test of how American evangelical voters will turn out, and for whom.
Evangelicals are still arguably one of the most powerful voting blocs in all of American politics. And they certainly remain the fulcrum for any GOP presidential hopeful.
They vote overwhelmingly again and again to bolster the protection of family, liberty and constitutionally grounded law and order. This election cycle, they are rallying around a few specific topics: Israel, pro-family policy and school choice or education reform.
While Israel has started to fade from the view of the mainstream media, its fight for the right to exist rages on. Since the atrocities of October 7, Israel has continued to battle Hamas in the streets and tunnels of Gaza, day and night. And Evangelicals remain Israel’s strongest allies here in the United States, pushing for continued legislative support while rallying personally to send aid and volunteers during wartime.
A strong Israel is both a U.S. strategic advantage and a Christian imperative: Israel is a force for good in an otherwise turbulent Middle East and the home of God’s chosen people. If a GOP contender wants to be taken seriously, they must present a compelling case for their support of Israel now and in the future.
The GOP nominee must also be a strong and unwavering voice when it comes to family policy. The prevailing candidate must put forth her or his serious, practicable plan for the defense of the unborn. She or he also must clearly articulate their plan for the support and strengthening of the nuclear family — including the defense of the indispensable freedoms rightly afforded to families in the education and training of their children.
Included in the list of issues important to Evangelicals when they cast their votes is school choice and education reform work. 2023 was a record-setting year for education reform advocates, with 20 states expanding school choice. For years, parents have had to fight against sexual and moral indoctrination, the subversion of parental rights and the covert manipulation of their children in the classroom. Now more than ever before, parents are aware of what is happening in schools and they are free to move their children to more effective and safe school systems.
Of course, these issues aren’t only compelling as inroads to the Evangelical vote. They’re compelling from a perspective of national security and long-term societal flourishing.
Without a strong relationship with Israel — without a strong Israel — where would the United States be? Without strong families and strong children, where would our country go?
If a candidate seeks Evangelical support, they ought to speak clearly, insightfully and with conviction about the future of our nation. They ought to bring solutions for the many afflictions the American people face.
But the Iowa caucus isn’t just a test of the GOP primary race, or of the Evangelical electorate. It is a chance for candidates to prove themselves as serious, earnest, prudent leaders. It is a chance for conservatives and for our nation as a whole to unite around a political vision and rally for the sake of our allies, our children, our rights and our future.
Make no mistake, politics has never just been about the horse race. Party affiliations are downstream of our most important identities as mothers, fathers, daughters, sons, Christians and citizens.
Election cycles come and go. Candidates, nominees, and party platforms come and go. But the most precious things abide, and these enduring things are now and always have been at the heart of the Evangelical vote.
Timothy Head is the executive director of the Faith & Freedom Coalition.