Reuters – Evangelicals in the swing state of Florida are launching a campaign to mobilise conservative Christians to vote for Donald Trump in next month’s presidential election.
Evangelicals in Florida are launching a drive to mobilise prayer for people to vote for Donald Trump in the US presidential election next month.
Leading social conservatives in the state are concerned that evangelicals there could turn out in relatively low numbers, according to Bay News.
The campaign is known as ‘Face Down 40′ in a reference to prayer during the final 40 days of the campaign.
The Republican-leaning evangelical vote in Florida proved decisive for former President George W. Bush’s victories in 2000 and 2004 but failed to turn out in comparable numbers during Barack Obama’s victories in 2008 and 2012.
“If we go back to sleep again, just like we’ve done so many times, then we’re in trouble and it’s on us,” said Pam Olsen, organiser of Face Down 40.
“It’s the time for [evangelicals] to fast, pray and then vote for truth of the gospel, who will stand for the side of life, who will stand for the unborn child, and then, get involved,” Olsen added. “Pray and get involved. Hold your leaders’ feet to the fire and say, ‘you will do what’s right’.”
Evangelical Christians make up a quarter of the electorate in the swing state, according to estimates.
Olsen blamed their lower turnout in the last two presidential elections on the Republican candidates, John McCain and Mitt Romney respectively, who avoided discussion of what Bay News called “red meat social conservative issues like abortion”.
