Faith Leaders Running For Office in the Midterms Has Increased Among Democrats. Who Are Christians Voting For? Religion News Service reported that at least 13 pastors, former pastors, and seminarians are seeking office this cycle, with nine becoming Democratic nominees and several Republicans also seeking office. There has been an increase among Democratic faith leaders, most notably James Talarico of Texas. Clergy or individuals affiliated with the church have always been engaged in U.S. politics but the religious right became more politically dominant in the millennium and are the base of evangelical voters. There are two female clergy running in Iowa and Adam Hamilton, a Kansas pastor is running for senate the senate. He would be the first democratic senator in over 30 years. Pastor Freddie Haynes of Dallas is also running for Congress. These leaders have presented themselves as alternatives to the Christians who support right wing extremism and continue to align with t...