No candidate has any the religious wing of the Republican Party more excited than Marco Rubio, the former Florida House speaker who is challenging Gov. Charlie Crist for Florida’s open Senate seat. In a recent interview with the Catholic Advocate, Rubio talked about the role his Catholicism plays in his life. “I don’t think my views should offend anyone—you can’t force religious views on anybody, but it’s an essential part of who I am, how I view the world, how I try to live, and part of that is we are all flawed and need forgiveness,” Rubio said. He added, “A society that does not respect the sanctity of life cannot make sense of anything else, and it leads to absurd and dangerous policies.” Rubio got early support from the state chapter of Christian Coalition. His face is splashed across the web site of Ralph Reed’s Faith and Freedom Coalition. His campaign coffers have been filled by socially conservative political action committees like the one attached to the Family Research Council.
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The former congressman and president of Club for Growth has been a favorite of the religious right since he ran a primary campaign against Arlen Specter in 2004. Or, more accurately, Specter is a longtime target and Toomey has become his chief antagonist. Dr. James C. Dobson of Focus on the Family turned out to campaign for Toomey in his first run against Specter in 2004. The rhetoric was heated then: “This is the Gettysburg. This is the D-Day, the Stalingrad. We must oppose those who have done so much to create the mess that we're in,” Dobson told The New York Times.
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Norton, Colorado’s former lieutenant governor, is challenging Democratic Sen. Michael Bennet this fall; so far, she’s battling him to a draw. She’s a member of a Pentecostal church. The Daily Beast’s Linda Hirshman talked to Norton’s pastor at the Smoky Hill Vineyard Church, who described the church’s pro-life, anti-gay marriage stance. So far, Norton is the only candidate to be endorsed by the Susan B. Anthony List, the nonpartisan and secular group which supports pro-life women in politics. Norton serves on the board of the Denver Seminary and teaches children at her church.
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Rigell, a businessman and car dealer, is one of six Republicans challenging freshman Democrat Rep. Glenn Nye for Virginia’s 3rd District. In 2007, Rigell was one of seven leaders to quit a local Episcopal church, fearing the liberalizing direction of the Anglican Communion. Said conservative strategist Gary Marx, a former local party chairman who has endorsed Rigell: “He has very strong conservative ideals and will have an impact. Plenty of these guys underneath [House Republican Whip] Eric Cantor in Virginia will have good connections to the leadership.”
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A former Bush official, Castillo is running for an open seat in Washington’s 3rd District. The Navy veteran and financial adviser is taking part in a crowded Republican primary. He’s gained the support of Pastor Joe Fuiten of Bothell, Washington, who is active in faith-oriented organizations. Bothel said of Castillo, “He understands the value of faith, family, and friends.”
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A city councilwoman, Martha Roby’s been attracting a lot of attention from the national party in her attempt to knock off Rep. Bobby Bright in Alabama’s 2nd District. According to internal polling, Bright is up 24 points, but with a conservative district, Republicans are holding out hope. Faith is featured prominently in Roby’s campaign materials. Roby is active in Montgomery, Alabama’s Sav-A-Life ministry, a pro-life organization.
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Diebel is part of a congested field of Republican candidates hoping to knock of Democratic Rep. Suzanne M. Kosmas in Florida’s 24th District, which President Obama won by just one percentage point. Last month Diebel was given a boost by the Concerned Women PAC, a conservative values group, which delivered an endorsement.
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Remember this guy? Doug Hoffman’s insurgent campaign attracted national attention in last year’s special election for New York’s 23rd Congressional District seat. Hoffmann, a Tea Party candidate, ran the Republican nominee out of the race only to lose in a close contest with Democrat Bill Owens. Hoffman, a C.P.A., plans to run again for the seat. Last time around he was endorsed by the Susan B. Anthony List as “a passionate advocate for women and the unborn.” It’s likely that social conservatives will come out loudly for Hoffman again. Dan Gilgoff, a veteran religion writer who now covers the subject for CNN, called Hoffman’s candidacy “another sign of conservative Christian resurgence.”
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The veteran congressman is challenging Democratic Gov. Ted Strickland for the governor’s office in Ohio. Last week, Rasmussen Reports had Kasich ahead by 11 points in the polls. Gary Keller, executive director of Faith and Freedom Coalition, said Kasich stood out as a dynamic candidate. A commentator for Fox News, Kasich authored Stand for Something: The Battle for America’s Soul.
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