Christian nationalism fades slightly but grips 2026 midterm politics

Support for Christian nationalism is trending down, but the ideology continues to shape the economic and political stakes of the 2026 midterms.

A recent national survey of more than 23,000 adults by the Kettering Foundation and Gallup found that 14% of the U.S. population strongly embraces Christian nationalism. An additional 2.4% are at least sympathetic to the concept. The total share of the population with at least a sympathetic view sits just over 16%.

Andrew Whitehead, a sociology professor at Indiana University Indianapolis and a research fellow for the Charles F. Kettering Foundation, noted that the numbers indicate a shift in how the public defines government power. He stated that while fewer Americans strongly hold these views, the rhetoric remains central to federal discourse. He pointed out that 31% of white Americans are at least sympathetic to the ideology. Gender also plays a role, with a third of men and 28% of women showing at least some sympathy.

The data reveals a strong correlation with party affiliation. Fifty-five percent of Republicans strongly embrace or sympathize with Christian nationalism. Whitehead explained that this group views democracy differently than those who reject the ideology. He said that Americans who strongly embrace Christian nationalism currently believe democracy is functioning well. In contrast, very few Americans who reject the concept think democracy is doing well or even okay.

The survey suggests this divide is influencing voter turnout. Whitehead said that the nearly 70% of respondents who resist or reject Christian nationalism are highly motivated to vote this cycle. He added that these voters are pushing for Congress to check executive power, a dynamic he said has been absent in the first two years of the Trump administration.

Religious figures are also entering the race. While it is standard for Republicans to combine faith and politics, five Democrats are currently on congressional ballots. All five are either clergy or in training to become clergy.

Whitehead concluded that the spectrum of Christian nationalism serves as a primary indicator of how Americans view the functioning of their democracy. The data shows that while the strongest believers are a minority, their influence on national political discussion remains outsized compared to previous years.