An Evangelical Christian organization, "Evangelicals for Harris," is rallying behind Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential race, marking a significant shift from traditional evangelical political alignments.

"Evangelicals for Harris," initially known as "Evangelicals for Biden," has rebranded to support Harris against her Republican counterparts, Fox News reported.

The group originally formed to challenge the evangelical community’s long-standing support for the GOP, advocates that Vice President Harris embodies Christian values more genuinely than traditional Republican candidates. This belief stems from an extensive evaluation of her policies and public service, aligning closely with what they consider the true teachings of Christianity.

Rev. Lee Scott: A Pastor Advocating Change

Rev. Lee Scott, a pastor, farmer from Pennsylvania, and registered Republican stands at the forefront of this movement. Under his leadership, the group pursues a new narrative that diverges from evangelical conventions in politics. Scott has openly criticized President Donald Trump, accusing him of exploiting Christian values for personal gain, which has led him to feel politically homeless since 2016.

This sentiment of political homelessness is shared by others within the group, who feel that their faith has been misused for political ends. Scott emphasized in group discussions and media interactions that inappropriate behaviors, often overlooked by political figures, are contradictory to Christian values.

"Evangelicals for Harris" channels these concerns into motivating evangelical Christians to reconsider their traditional party allegiance, advocating a refocusing on the spiritual and moral frameworks of their faith.

A Campaign to Realign Evangelical Values

Last year, their cause gained more visibility when Vice President Harris spoke at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, bolstering their argument with her rhetoric on faith and public service. Shortly afterward, the group launched a multi-million dollar ad campaign aimed at religious voters in pivotal swing states, featuring three video ads scattered across various social media platforms.

The initiative declares that over 200,000 evangelical Christians have signed a pledge to support Harris, indicating a potential shift in the voting dynamics within this typically conservative bloc.

However, not all feedback has been positive. The group has come under fire, particularly from well-known evangelical figure Franklin Graham. He expressed discontent with the group's promotional strategies, notably their use of an image of his late father, Billy Graham, in advertisements critical of Trump.

Controversial Advertising and Broadening Debates

Graham's objections highlighted a fundamental clash between traditional evangelical support for Trump’s policies and a newer, broader interpretation of Christian teachings advocated by "Evangelicals for Harris." Franklin stated that his father would have continued supporting conservative stances, conflicting with the narrative the group promotes.

Moreover, issues such as abortion remain divisive. Rev. Scott argues that political and religious choices should transcend single-issue voting, suggesting a more nuanced approach to civic engagement where Christians look beyond one-dimensional policy assessments.

The group has also hosted discussions and events, such as a significant Zoom conference featuring reparations activist Ekemini Uwan, aiming to delve into complex social justice issues that they believe align with Christian values.

Seeking a New Path for Evangelical Voters

The outreach strategy of "Evangelicals for Harris" includes quotes and Biblical references orienting Harris’ public service and faith life as exemplary of Christ-like servitude. Remarks from the group on social media further reinforce this, citing Biblical passages to resonate with evangelical audiences.

Donald Trump has openly criticized the shift of some evangelicals toward Democratic candidates, describing it as inexplicable given the religious and ethical discordances perceived in his viewpoint. His comments have sparked discussions on the religious compatibility with political affiliations.

In all, "Evangelicals for Harris" not only seeks to change the voting patterns of a historically predictable demographic but also strikes at the heart of ongoing debates within the evangelical community about the intertwining of faith and politics, character, and leadership.