Evangelicals Stayed Republican as Midterm Electorate Shifted

White evangelical or born-again Christian voters backed Republican House candidates by 82% to 16% in the 2026 midterms, according to a Fox News voter poll. Their support was unchanged from two years earlier in exit polling, even as Democrats won control of the House and Senate and other voter groups moved toward them.

The group’s share of the electorate fell. White evangelicals made up 17% of voters, compared with 21% in Fox’s 2024 survey and 23% in an NBC News exit poll. The results point to continued Republican loyalty among those voters, alongside a smaller presence at the polls.

Catholic voters, who supported Donald Trump over Kamala Harris 55% to 44% in Fox’s 2024 survey, split nearly evenly this year: 50% backed Democrats and 49% Republicans. Voters with no religion shifted from supporting Harris by 68% in 2024 to backing Democrats by 78% this year. Protestants and other Christians favored Republicans 60% to 61% in the two respective elections.

Researchers attributed evangelical support to policy alignment and long-standing ties between religious conservatives and the Republican Party. They cited issues including abortion, immigration, taxes, judicial appointments and Christianity’s role in public life. Pew’s October survey had found 73% of white evangelical registered voters preferred the Republican candidate in their district.

Evangelicals Held Firm for GOP as Their Share of Voters Fell

Republicans retained overwhelming support among white evangelical voters, but their loyal bloc was a smaller part of the electorate as Democrats took control of the House and Senate. White evangelicals backed Republican House candidates 82% to 16%, while making up 17% of voters, down from 21% in Fox’s 2024 survey.

The contrast was sharp: voters with no religion backed Democrats by 78%, up from their 68% support for Kamala Harris in 2024. Catholics, who had favored Donald Trump 55% to 44% in Fox’s 2024 survey, split nearly evenly, with 50% supporting Democrats and 49% Republicans. The election showed that strong Republican loyalty among evangelicals did not extend to other religious groups.

Researchers said evangelical support reflects long-standing ties to the GOP and agreement on issues including abortion, immigration and Christianity’s influence on civic life. That alignment has helped sustain Republican support, but the decline in evangelicals’ share of the electorate underscores the limits of relying on a shrinking slice of voters. Pew’s October survey had found 73% of white evangelical registered voters preferred the Republican candidate.

Evangelical Voters Remained a Republican Stronghold

White evangelicals remained one of the Republican Party’s most dependable constituencies in the 2026 midterms, backing GOP House candidates 82% to 16%. Their support held steady from the prior midterm election even as Democrats captured control of both the House and Senate and other religious groups shifted toward Democrats.

The results show that evangelical voters continued to support Republicans amid a broader political swing. Researchers pointed to agreement on issues such as abortion, immigration, taxes, judicial appointments and Christianity’s place in public life. That commitment has roots extending beyond Donald Trump, with Republican support among white evangelicals dating back decades.

The group did make up a smaller share of voters: 17%, compared with 21% in Fox’s 2024 survey and 23% in an NBC News exit poll. Meanwhile, voters with no religion backed Democrats by 78%, and Catholics split 50% for Democrats to 49% for Republicans. The election showed both the durability of evangelical Republican support and the challenge of translating it into a broader coalition.