President Trump and Democratic nominee Joe Biden fought to a draw in the battle for Catholic voters, a key constituency that in recent elections has sided with the winner of the race for the White House.
According to exit polls from the Associated Press, Trump received 50% of the Catholic vote, equal to his performance four years ago and just a tick better than Biden’s 49%. The former vice president, who is Catholic, attends Mass regularly. He did 3 percentage points better with Catholics than 2016 Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton.
In 2012, Barack Obama edged out Republican nominee Mitt Romney with Catholics, 50% to 48%. Four years earlier, Obama topped John McCain with these voters by 9 points — 54% to 45%. In 2000, George W. Bush was elected president while losing Catholics narrowly to Democrat Al Gore, 50% to 47%. But four years later, Bush won Catholics 52% to 47% on his way to reelection over Democrat John Kerry.
In 2020, an election not yet decided as mail-in votes are counted, Trump won big over Biden with Protestants (61%-38%); Mormons (71%-24%); and “other Christian” groups (57%-41%). The president also did better than his Democratic challenger with frequent churchgoers.
With voters who attend church once a month, Trump performed better than Biden by a margin of 53%-45%. Those who attend a few times a month backed Trump over Biden 54%-45%. Voters who attend weekly supported Trump over Biden 61%-37%. Where did Biden run up the score over Trump? With voters who never attend church (63%-35%) and with voters who attend a few times a year or less (52%-47%).
Among Jewish voters, Biden outpaced Trump by an overwhelming 68%-30%. However, the president’s performance was historically high for a Republican nominee.
