The 2024 election saw Catholic voters emerge as major winners, with Donald Trump winning over a significant portion of the Catholic vote across the country. In Pennsylvania, a critical swing state, Trump carried Catholic voters by a 13-point margin, while in other swing states like North Carolina, Michigan, and Wisconsin, the margin was even larger. Shawn Carney, founder of 40 Days For Life, attributed this trend to a sense among Catholics that the Biden-Harris administration did not respect or support their faith, particularly when it came to issues like abortion. Carney highlighted Kamala Harris’ stance on abortion as a key factor in turning off Catholic voters, many of whom were uncomfortable with the left’s celebration of abortion.
The issue of abortion, along with freedom of speech and religion, were among the top concerns for Catholic voters in the 2024 election. Carney noted that while morality and pro-life values were important to Catholics, they were also looking at candidates who would uphold principles like free speech. Trump’s pro-life stance and his advocacy for religious freedoms, such as his support for the Little Sisters of the Poor in a contraception court case, played a role in winning over Catholic voters. The Biden-Harris administration’s targeting of religious groups, particularly Catholics, on the basis of their beliefs and values, further alienated Catholic voters and pushed them toward supporting Trump.
The Al Smith Dinner incident, where Vice President Harris did not attend, also contributed to the perception among Catholics that the Biden-Harris administration was not supportive of their faith. Carney pointed to the administration’s treatment of Catholics and pro-lifers, as well as their stance on issues like abortion, as evidence of their lack of respect for religious values. The celebration of abortion by candidates like Harris was seen as a major turn-off for Catholic voters, many of whom still held strong moral objections to the practice. Carney emphasized that even liberal Catholics who might support Democratic candidates were uncomfortable with the way abortion was being promoted and celebrated.
The exit polling data showed a significant swing in Catholic voters’ support towards Trump in the 2024 election, with many critical swing states showing large margins in favor of the former president. In states like Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Michigan, and Wisconsin, Catholic voters rallied behind Trump by double-digit margins, contributing to his electoral success. Carney highlighted the importance of issues like abortion and religious freedom for Catholic voters, pointing out that the administration’s targeting of Catholics and pro-lifers had a significant impact on their voting decisions. The Biden-Harris administration’s actions and stance on issues of significance to Catholics played a key role in driving them towards supporting Trump.
Overall, the 2024 election saw Catholic voters emerge as a key demographic that supported Trump by significant margins in critical swing states. Issues like abortion, freedom of speech, and religious freedom played a crucial role in influencing Catholic voters’ decisions at the polls. The perceived lack of respect for Catholic values by the Biden-Harris administration, along with their stance on abortion and targeting of religious groups, contributed to a growing sense of disenchantment among Catholic voters. Trump’s pro-life stance, advocacy for religious freedoms, and alignment with Catholic values helped him win over a substantial portion of the Catholic vote, making them a major factor in his electoral success.
