The Faith & Freedom Coalition (F&F), a prominent Christian grassroots organization boasting over 3 million members nationwide, has unveiled a roster of influential speakers for its upcoming Road to Majority Conference next month. This conference holds the distinction of being the largest public policy gathering of conservative Christian activists in the United States, and it will delve into policy issues of paramount importance to voters of faith as the 2024 election draws near.
The speaker lineup includes notable figures such as Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Dr. Ben Carson, former Hawaii Representative Tulsi Gabbard, South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham, and Tennessee Senator Bill Hagerty. Notably, Youngkin, Noem, Carson, and Gabbard have all been mentioned as potential running mates for former President Donald Trump, making this event a potential platform for them to vie for his favor ahead of the Republican National Convention.
In addition to providing a stage for these individuals to compete for Trump’s endorsement, the conference also offers them an opportunity to present their stances on crucial policy issues, including abortion and family values, which could play a decisive role in Trump’s running mate selection. The conference will take place from June 20-22 at the Washington Hilton in Washington, D.C., and F&F founder Ralph Reed has expressed the organization’s ambition to be a significant force in mobilizing voters of faith in the upcoming election.
Reed emphasizes the significance of the Christian vote, highlighting that self-identified born-again evangelicals constitute approximately 27% of the electorate, while frequently mass-attending pro-life Roman Catholics account for roughly 11%. Combined, these demographics represent a substantial portion of the electorate, particularly within the Republican Party, and their turnout is crucial for electoral success.
Reed dismisses the Democratic strategy of focusing on abortion as a central issue, arguing that they lack other compelling talking points and are attempting to redirect the conversation. He predicts that while some states may feature abortion-related ballot initiatives, this will not necessarily translate into automatic votes for Democratic candidates.
While Reed refrains from endorsing a specific individual as the ideal running mate for Trump, he suggests that the current pool of potential candidates is as strong as any since 1980. He also hints at the possibility of additional names being added to the speaker list before the conference.
As the 2024 election cycle intensifies, this conference stands as a significant event that may shape the Republican Party’s strategy and present valuable insights into the potential dynamics of Trump’s presidential campaign.
