The 2024 election witnessed a decisive victory for Donald Trump, and according to Shawn Carney, founder of the national pro-life organization 40 Days For Life, a significant shift in the Catholic vote played a crucial role in this outcome. Carney asserts that Catholic voters were the key to Trump’s success, citing exit polls that show a nine-point swing in favor of Trump among this demographic. This marked a significant change from the 2020 election, where Catholic voters were evenly divided between Trump and Biden.
Carney attributes this shift to the Biden-Harris administration’s perceived hostility towards religious groups, particularly Catholics. He points to their stance on abortion as a major contributing factor, claiming that the administration’s support for abortion rights alienated Catholic voters. “Kamala ran on abortion, and she celebrated abortion,” Carney stated. “Her campaign was depressing at best.” He further emphasized the strong opposition to abortion among Catholic voters, regardless of their political leanings.
Carney also highlights the administration’s alleged targeting of Catholics and pro-lifers, citing the Department of Justice’s actions against these groups. He argues that this perceived hostility towards Catholicism further fueled the shift in Catholic voters’ support.
Beyond abortion, Carney emphasizes the importance of issues like freedom of speech and freedom of religion in driving Catholic voters’ decisions. He commends Trump’s stance on these issues, particularly his support for religious organizations like the Little Sisters of the Poor, who faced legal challenges for their refusal to provide contraception.
Carney believes that the Biden-Harris administration’s perceived hostility towards religion, particularly Catholicism, played a significant role in the Catholic vote swing towards Trump. He asserts that targeting religious groups comes with consequences, as voters will not support candidates who seem to undermine their faith and values. The 2024 election results, he argues, demonstrate the importance of these issues to Catholic voters and their impact on national elections.
