Vice President JD Vance’s Religious Identity Raises Questions Ahead of 2028 Presidential Bid
JD Vance’s conversion to Catholicism and his evangelical background are prompting analysts to assess how his faith may affect his appeal to both Catholic and evangelical voters as he signals a run for president in 2028.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who converted to Catholicism in 2019 and recently released a memoir about his spiritual journey, has begun positioning himself for a possible presidential campaign in 2028. At a Republican midterm convention in Dallas, he delivered a keynote that referenced scripture and paid tribute to the late right-wing activist Charlie Kirk.
“We live in the city of man, not the city of God,” Vance said. “But I believe that our founders built this nation on a promise that echoes our creator.”
Political scientists note that Vance’s religious background could shape his voter coalition. Larry Jacobs of the University of Minnesota said the speech marked the start of primary competition and highlighted Vance’s effort to attract white Christian nationalist voters while maintaining broader Republican support.
Analysts caution that Vance’s recent Catholic conversion may create tension with both evangelical and Catholic constituencies. Daniel Hummel, director of the Lumen Center, said Vance “still talks a lot like an evangelical,” which could alienate conservative Catholics who tend to defer to papal authority. The vice president’s past remarks to Pope Francis and Pope Leo XIV, in which he suggested the pontiffs be cautious about commenting on policy, have drawn criticism from Catholic observers.
In a recent interview with Christian podcaster Bryce Crawford, Vance was asked about “end-times” theology, a topic more common in evangelical circles. He responded that he focuses on “doing as much of God’s work as possible right now,” adding that the timing of any apocalyptic events is uncertain. Robert Jones of the Public Religion Research Institute described the answer as trying to “have things both ways,” noting that it may appear dismissive of deeper theological debates.
Vance’s public statements have also been scrutinized for how he frames political events in religious terms. He cited a 2024 assassination attempt on President Donald Trump as an instance of divine providence, a view that some scholars say could be perceived as attributing political outcomes to personal favor.
Overall, experts suggest that Vance’s challenge will be to present a coherent religious identity that resonates with both evangelical and Catholic voters without appearing inauthentic or overly opportunistic. The Guardian’s request for comment from Vance’s office was not answered.