Many Christians across the United States say they do not trust the Democratic Party, according to a new poll conducted by a progressive evangelical group.

A recent survey found that a majority of Christian voters perceive the Democratic Party as unfriendly to their faith, though analysts suggest Democratic candidates could still build support among certain faith-based voters, The Christian Post reported.

The data comes from a survey carried out by Vote Common Good in partnership with Change Research, conducted from May 6 to May 11. The poll sampled 1,761 self-identified Christian voters and has a margin of error of plus or minus three percentage points.

According to the results, 75% of those surveyed reported having little or no trust in the Democratic Party. More than half of the respondents also say they feel the party is actively hostile toward Christianity.

Specifically, 58% of participants described the Democratic Party as antagonistic to their faith. Furthermore, 54% believed that Democratic voters themselves are also hostile to Christianity, reinforcing the widespread sentiment of unease.

Republicans are viewed more positively by Christians

While the Democratic Party was seen by many respondents as untrustworthy, the poll revealed a more favorable perception of the Republican Party. About 70% of Christians said Republicans are friendly to Christianity, with 72% expressing similar views toward individual Republican voters.

This does not mean, however, that Christians are united in their trust of the GOP. Almost half of the Christian respondents reported low trust in the Republican Party as well, showing a general skepticism toward political institutions overall.

The concerns expressed by Christian voters about political parties come amid broader feelings of uncertainty about religion's place in American public life. Half of those polled believe religion is becoming less influential, and among that group, 62% said they would never consider casting a vote for a Democrat.

Faith and politics are still intertwined

The poll findings follow voting patterns observed in the 2024 presidential election, where most Christian voters supported Republican candidate Donald Trump. Data from the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University indicated that 56% of all self-identified Christians backed Trump.

Exit polling adds more detail to that picture. Nearly two-thirds of Protestants and other non-Catholic Christians, along with 59% of Catholic voters, supported Trump at the ballot box. In contrast, then-Democratic candidate Kamala Harris earned only 36% of the Protestant and other Christian vote and 39% of the Catholic vote.

Vote Common Good, the organization behind the new poll, has framed the results not just as a warning for Democrats, but also as an opportunity. The group points to a segment of the Christian population it identifies as “low Christian identity” voters as a possible bridge to regain trust with people of faith.

Low Christian identity voters show potential

These voters are categorized based on how much their religious beliefs influence their personal lives, social interactions, and political priorities. Roughly 31% of those surveyed fall into this lower identity group.

Interestingly, nearly half of the respondents in this group identify as Democrats, compared to 40% who identify as Republicans. Eleven percent said they are politically independent, showing a more politically mixed group that may be more open to Democratic messaging.

Doug Pagitt, founder of Vote Common Good and a liberal evangelical advocate, says Democrats need to invest more deeply in outreach to Christian voters. He emphasized that ignoring America’s largest religious group is not a strategy for electoral success.

Advocates urge Democrats to build trust

Pagitt stated that Democratic politicians have long failed to make meaningful connections with Christian communities. He also suggested that many in these communities could be receptive—if candidates are willing to engage sincerely.

“What this polling shows us is that there are plenty of Christian voters who are open to supporting Democrats,” he said, “but that candidates need to do the work to build relationships and establish trust with these communities.”

To that end, Pagitt offered a simple message he believes Democratic candidates should convey: “I like you, we need you.” His organization hopes that by highlighting the concerns and openness of certain faith groups, Democrats will be encouraged to adjust their strategies in future elections.