Clergy Surge into Democratic Races, Highlighting a New Christian Left

Pastor Adam Hamilton, leader of the nation’s largest United Methodist church, won the Kansas Democratic Senate primary, exemplifying a growing trend of clergy running as Democrats.

Rev. Adam Hamilton, pastor of the Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas, secured the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate, setting up a contest with Republican Roger Marshall and potentially becoming the state’s first Democratic senator in almost a hundred years. Hamilton argues that Jesus emphasized aid to children and the poor rather than fiscal conservatism or limited government, and he seeks to persuade traditionally Republican voters, especially farmers burdened by rising costs, to consider a Democrat.

His congregation of about 24,000 members is evenly split among Republicans, Democrats and Independents, reflecting his self-described “moderate” stance and his label as a “liberal conservative and a conservative liberal.” He is part of a wave of roughly a dozen clergy entering Democratic politics, such as Presbyterian seminarian James Talarico in Texas and Lutheran pastor Sarah Trone Garriott in Iowa, who openly integrate their faith into policy proposals.

These candidates aim to counter the GOP’s fusion of Christianity with conservatism by invoking biblical calls to support immigrants, the poor, and other vulnerable groups. The trend sparks renewed public debate over the role of doctrine in politics and whether faith can serve as a unifying rather than divisive force.