Full Breakdown
Evangelical Leaders Urge GOP Voter Turnout Ahead of Midterms
6/25/2026, 12:55:52 AM
Starnes and Reed Call for Evangelical Mobilization
Todd Starnes warned that “lethargy within the Republican Party” threatens the midterm outlook and asked what will “light a fire under those voters.” Ralph Reed, founder of the Faith & Freedom Coalition, said the party has a short window to reverse Democratic momentum and urged a concerted push to get evangelical voters to the polls.
Context and Key Players
The remarks were made while promoting the annual Road To Majority conference, an event organized by the Faith & Freedom Coalition that gathers elected Republican officials and members of the Trump administration to rally conservative voters. Starnes is the host of “The Todd Starnes Show,” and Reed is a former Republican National Committee chairman who leads the Faith & Freedom Coalition, a network of religious-right groups.
Data & Statistics
Reed cited polling that shows Democrats enjoy a roughly 14-point advantage in turnout and enthusiasm. He noted that self-identified born-again evangelicals comprise about half of the Republican vote. Of the estimated 77 million votes Donald Trump received in 2024, roughly 43 million came from born-again evangelicals, excluding mainline conservative Protestants and pro-life Catholics. Reed estimated that evangelicals and allied faith voters represent about two-thirds of the GOP electorate.
Why It Matters
Starnes warned that without a surge in faith-based turnout the GOP could face a “very ugly picture in November,” risking loss of control of the House and Senate. Both speakers linked voter mobilization to protecting President Trump and the Supreme Court, underscoring the strategic importance of the religious right.
Official Statements & Responses
Starnes framed the upcoming election as a test of the party’s future after Trump, calling for a “serious discussion” about the GOP’s direction and the role of faith in shaping it. Reed argued that Democratic enthusiasm threatens Republican dominance and that mobilizing evangelicals is essential to close a 14-point turnout gap. Both emphasized that voter turnout is crucial to safeguard Trump’s agenda and the judiciary.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I wish it weren't the case,” Reed replied, “but it is the case.”
- “We've got a very short period of time to turn that around,” Reed declared.
- “I've been telling people, 'I don't care how bad the Republicans have betrayed you or have not done what [they] said they would do,'” Starnes replied.
- “It's not about them. It's about protecting President Trump at the end of the day. And it's about protecting the Supreme Court.”
What's Next
The Road To Majority conference is scheduled for the coming weeks, providing a platform for Reed, Starnes, and allied officials to rally faith voters before the November midterm elections.
