After the excessive midterm losses, Christian conservatives should take time to regroup — not around a personality, a party’s talking points, or the next campaign, but around the principles that should guide our public life.
The first question should be: What do we believe government is supposed to do? Once we answer that, we can judge which leaders are prepared to do it. When we start with personalities, we risk excusing conduct and abandoning convictions for the sake of a favorite candidate. When we start with our values, no leader gets a blank check.
Christians should carry clear commitments toward 2028. We should protect human life and dignity by defending the unborn and recognizing the worth of every person, especially the vulnerable. We should strengthen families and communities by supporting parents’ roles in raising children, the importance of marriage, and the institutions that help families flourish.
We should expect justice and equal treatment under law: fair laws, honest government, and accountability for those in power. We should defend religious liberty and free speech so people can live, worship, speak, and serve according to conscience. We should favor responsible government, with constitutional limits, fiscal discipline, and decisions made as close to families and communities as practical.
We should also expect government to protect the nation and its people through secure borders, public safety, and a capable defense. And we should practice stewardship — caring for creation and public resources while weighing costs, consequences, and the common good.
These commitments do not start with a party or personality. They do give us a standard for asking better questions. Does a candidate respect the limits of the office? Do they treat people fairly? Can they govern competently? Does their record match their promises? Do they show the character to exercise power responsibly?
Those questions matter more than whether a candidate entertains us, echoes our frustrations, or commands our loyalty. Political leaders are not saviors — they’re public servants. Christians should participate fully in public affairs without confusing political allegiance with faithfulness.
The road to 2028 should begin with a renewed commitment to the core values we want from government. Define those values clearly. Hold every candidate to them. Then choose leaders by their character, competence, and record — not by the volume of their fan club.
For more on this, listen to Jenna’s interviews with pro-life leader Frank Pavone and AAF President Tim Chapman here: https://afr.net/podcasts/jenna-ellis-in-the-morning/2026/november/the-conservative-comeback-must-start-now/
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