In the upcoming 2024 election, Catholic voters in the state of Pennsylvania are expected to play a pivotal role, potentially deciding the overall outcome. The state has seen a see-saw effect in recent years, with Donald Trump winning in 2016 and Joe Biden winning in 2020. Biden’s Irish-American Catholic background connected with some Catholic voters, while Trump is a nondenominational Christian. This year, Trump is back as the Republican nominee with a Catholic running mate, JD Vance.
On the Democratic side, the ticket does not feature a Catholic candidate, with Kamala Harris, who is of Black and South Asian heritage from a Baptist tradition, leading the charge along with running mate Tim Walz, a white Lutheran. Some voters in counties around Scranton, Biden’s birthplace, may have voted for him in 2020 due to the Catholic connection but might not do the same for Harris. The outcome in these counties could potentially influence the state and national results.
For voters like Nikki Bruni from Pittsburgh, who is strongly opposed to abortion, supporting Harris is not an option. Despite her disappointment in Trump’s stance on abortion, she feels compelled to vote for him to prevent the evils from taking over completely. On the other hand, some Catholics supporting Harris believe that the election’s outcome could hinge on a few Catholic voters, urging their fellow believers to consider issues beyond just abortion.
Groups like Catholics Vote Common Good are advocating for a broader view of the “common good” in Catholic social teaching, highlighting issues such as immigration, healthcare, and support for young families as crucial components of a pro-life stance. They also raise concerns about Trump’s attacks on the judicial system and democracy. While both campaigns are focusing on courting Hispanic Catholics, the majority of Pennsylvania’s Catholic population is descended from white European immigrants who worked in the state’s mines and mills.
In 2024, Catholic voters remain a significant demographic in Pennsylvania, with 27% identifying as Catholic in the state. The Franklin & Marshall Poll suggests a competitive race among Catholics, with Trump having the support of a majority of Pennsylvania Catholics in 2020. JD Vance, the only Catholic in the race, has been influenced by conservative Catholics but has attempted to downplay abortion as a central issue, aligning with Trump’s strategies. Groups like CatholicVote are supporting Trump and actively seeking the Catholic vote in the upcoming election.
Organizations and individuals supporting Kamala Harris are also actively engaging with Pennsylvania Catholics by organizing campaign events and advocating for Harris’s policies. Issues like NATO and Ukraine are particularly concerning for some Polish and Ukrainian Americans, who believe that a Democratic ticket would better address these issues. U.S. Catholic bishops have emphasized opposing abortion as a pre-eminent priority but have also highlighted other concerns such as religious freedom, healthcare, and education that are important to Catholic voters.
As the election approaches, Catholic voters in Pennsylvania remain divided on key issues like immigration, healthcare, and foreign policy. While some, like Trump supporter James Karamicky, prioritize concerns like border policies and aid to Ukraine, others, like Democratic supporter Brandon Friez, see Harris as the best choice for preserving democracy and addressing the suffering of the poor. These differing perspectives among Catholic voters reflect the complexity of the political landscape in Pennsylvania and the critical role that Catholic voters will play in the upcoming election.
