surprising move on the eve of the New Hampshire primary, CatholicVote, one of the prominent Catholic advocacy groups in the United States, has thrown its weight behind former President Donald Trump, marking a departure from its previously neutral stance in the primary race. The endorsement, disclosed in a report by Raw Story on Tuesday, January 23, 2024, comes as Trump competes with former United Nations ambassador Nikki Haley in the Granite State.
CatholicVote, recognized for its influential role in mobilizing Catholic voters, remained impartial throughout the primary, emphasizing its belief in multiple viable candidates initially. However, with the field narrowing, the organization now sees the current race as a decisive two-person contest between Trump and Haley.
Brian Burch, the president of CatholicVote, clarified the endorsement by underscoring the pivotal role Catholics will play in the upcoming election. He stressed the importance of uniting behind Trump, asserting that he is not only a superior choice compared to Nikki Haley but also the right choice for America in the November elections.
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Burch emphasized that Catholics will play a critical role in this election, and the fate of our Catholic way of life is really at stake.
Contrary to the organization’s earlier neutral stance, the endorsement reflects a strategic decision by CatholicVote to consolidate Catholic support behind a specific candidate. Burch rejected the notion that endorsing Trump was a gamble, citing the public’s four years of observation of the former president.
Commending Trump’s track record of appointing judges and praising his courage, Burch highlighted the individuals Trump has surrounded himself with. CatholicVote plans to engage approximately 137,000 Catholic voters in New Hampshire through email and text messages, urging them to support Trump in the primary.
The organization’s messaging emphasizes the need for Catholics to actively shape the election outcome, discouraging reliance on media narratives. The endorsement, strategically timed just hours before the first-in-the-nation presidential primary in New Hampshire, provides Trump with a significant political boost in this crucial battleground.
With the withdrawal of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis from the race, Trump and Haley emerge as the two prominent candidates in the Republican primary. The CatholicVote endorsement adds a layer of influence, particularly among Catholic voters, a significant demographic in shaping electoral outcomes.
Given the absence of former President Trump on the New Hampshire ballot due to a dispute with the state, CatholicVote’s endorsement serves as a rallying cry for supporters to write in Trump’s name during the primary. This strategic shift in support not only underscores the unique dynamics at the intersection of religion and politics but also adds an interesting dimension to the closely watched and dynamic electoral process as the New Hampshire primary unfolds. The true impact of this endorsement on Catholic voters and the overall political landscape remains to be seen.
