Analyzing Christian Nationalist Rhetoric in U.S. Political Campaigns

• In Event: Developments in the Politics of Christian Nationalism

Abstract

Though the population has grown increasingly secular, politicians still employ religious rhetoric when running for office, such as Trump and DeSantis both sharing ads calling themselves chosen by God. Implicit to much of this rhetoric is support for Christian nationalism, with candidates' chosen language reflecting what candidates assume the public values. This paper investigates the strategic deployment of Christian nationalist beliefs by federal and state candidates in the United States.

I examine voter guides from states like Alaska, Arizona, California, Utah, and Washington, which provide statements from federal and state candidates over the last few decades. I analyze the language candidates use to find common cues indicative of Christian nationalist support. This analysis will shed light on how many candidates use these cues, whether its usage has increased over time, and the policies and arguments Christian nationalist candidates support. This data will also be valuable in future research, such as measuring how partisan issues evolve, the increase of negative polarization, and the impact Trump had on the quality and quantity of candidates. Understanding past and current trends can help us better understand how support for these issues has changed over time and how candidates are marketing Christian nationalist views.

Author

• Alena Smith, Stanford University