The Rev. Arturo Laguna leads a predominantly immigrant congregation of roughly 100 members at Casa de Adoracion in Phoenix. He explains that his role as a pastor becomes particularly challenging during election seasons.
Arizona is one of seven pivotal swing states that might influence the outcome of the upcoming presidential election. Laguna’s church also reflects the broader Latino evangelical Christian community in the United States. He notes that for his congregation, the act of voting transcends intellectual considerations and is rooted in faith and spirituality.
“We find ourselves at a complicated crossroad,” Laguna expressed, highlighting a dichotomy among his members regarding their stances on issues such as abortion and immigration reform. This conflict is not unique to Laguna’s congregation; Latino evangelicals face similar dilemmas nationally. Their demographic is expanding, contrasting with the decline of traditional white Protestant denominations. Consequently, they represent a significant voting force that has caught the attention of both major political parties, although with limited success in engaging this group effectively over the last two election cycles.
According to a 2022 survey by the Pew Research Center, 15% of Latinos in the U.S. identify as evangelical Protestants, making them the fastest-growing subset of the evangelical community. Approximately half of Latino evangelicals lean toward the Republican Party, while the other half leans towards the Democrats.
While U.S. Latinos typically show a preference for Democratic candidates, a majority of Latino evangelicals supported Donald Trump in the 2020 election. Data indicated that about 60% of these voters leaned towards Trump, compared to 40% who favored Biden. More recently, a Pew survey suggested that two-thirds of Latino Protestants plan to vote for Trump again, while similar percentages of Hispanic Catholics and non-religious Hispanics are aligning with Vice President Kamala Harris.
Agustin Quiles, president of Mission Talk—an organization focused on Latino Christian social justice—points out that conflicting values leave many Latino evangelicals feeling politically disenfranchised. He notes that individuals are often torn between traditional conservative stances on social issues, such as abortion, and the pressing need for immigration and criminal justice reforms. Despite their unease with Trump’s anti-immigrant language, Quiles mentions that Democrats have struggled to connect on vital topics, like abortion.
“There is much silence among Latino evangelicals currently,” Quiles added. “That doesn’t mean they won’t vote; there is just widespread discontent.”
Understanding Latino evangelicals requires insight into their beginnings, according to scholar Elizabeth Conde-Frazier of the Association of Hispanic Theological Association. The term “evangelico” designates non-Catholic Protestants, encapsulating a diverse array of churches, cultures, and traditions. As immigrants reestablished themselves in the U.S., Protestant, Pentecostal, and other mainline churches emerged as vital communal spaces, helping individuals create a sense of belonging.
As white Protestantism wanes, various mainline denominations vie for loyalty from these communities. Second-generation Latino Christians often integrate into the dominant culture and adopt elements of passionate white evangelicalism. Conde-Frazier notes that as Latino churches sought strength and acceptance, they initially aligned with white conservative evangelical movements, drifting away from their own “evangelico” roots. However, many now find themselves at odds with their white counterparts on matters like immigration.
Quiles also points out that in predominantly white evangelical churches, where an increasing number of Latinos—both documented and undocumented—attend, a noticeable gap exists between pastor messages and congregants’ responses. “Just because pastors promote anti-immigrant agendas does not mean that members subscribe to those views,” he said. “They tend to pick and choose from the teachings.”
The Rev. Juan Garcia leads a Hispanic ministry at the First Baptist Church in Newport News, Virginia. He feels that the term “evangelico” embodies the essence of the Gospel, yet he finds the label “evangelical” tarnished by its strong political affiliations. “Jesus does not belong to either the Democratic or Republican parties. Some individuals perceive their Christian beliefs aligning with the Republican Party, while others resonate more with the Democrats. Ultimately, neither party embodies true Christian values,” Garcia stated.
Garcia shares a similar sentiment of political disenfranchisement, admitting, “I may have a candidate I support, but I don’t align myself with any particular party.” He emphasizes that love for one another—including love for the marginalized and those escaping persecution—should be paramount for Christians.
The Rev. Jacqueline Tavarez, pastor of the Pentecostal Church of God in Raleigh, North Carolina, noted that her diverse congregation prioritizes the values espoused by political parties over their public representatives. “Our community is less concerned about politics and more focused on laws that impact our livelihoods, like job growth and educational opportunities,” she remarked. Many view issues such as abortion and transgender rights as direct attacks on family values. When assessing the ballot, they prioritize party positions over particular candidates.
In Arizona, the Rev. Lori Tapia, national pastor and president of the Obra Hispana, Disciples of Christ, indicated that political matters are usually not directly addressed within Latino evangelical congregations. Unlike white evangelicals, their political engagements tend to grow organically, emphasizing compassion and the desire for leaders committed to compassionate politics.
Bishop Angel Marcial, who oversees over 15,000 churches within the Church of God, acknowledged that healthcare, education, and public safety are paramount concerns for his congregation. “Voting fosters respect and opens doors for marginalized communities. While we don’t instruct individuals on whom to vote for, we do inform them of platforms that resonate most closely with our community’s values,” he stated.
John P. Tuman, a political science professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, observed that in Las Vegas, Latino evangelicals attending larger churches offering both English and Spanish services tend to lean conservative. Conversely, those who worship in solely Spanish or Indigenous languages often express a wider array of political beliefs, generally favoring immigration reform and social justice initiatives that align more closely with Democratic candidates.
Pastor Willie Pagan leads a large congregation at Iglesia de Dios in North Las Vegas. He identifies economic stability as the primary concern of his community. “Immigration remains a worry, but settled individuals want a thriving economy,” he noted. Observing rising homelessness and crime in their neighborhood has become a major concern for his congregation. While some believe that the Trump administration offered better financial conditions, others harbor fears regarding potential deportations of loved ones. “The struggle is real,” he concluded.