The ‘religious left’ may be rising – but Black Christian women have been there all along

As U.S. Senate candidates have openly discussed their religious beliefs during the campaign season, a common narrative has emerged that the "religious left" has been instrumental in securing a "Blue Wave" victory. However, this perspective overlooks the long-standing influence of Black Christian women in progressive politics. In fact, Black Christian women have been steadfast supporters of the left for decades, often overlooked in the current narrative.

Majorities of both female and Black voters have consistently voted for Democratic candidates in recent elections, with Black women demonstrating an even greater loyalty to the Democratic Party. In 2026 exit polls, 93% of Black women voters chose Democratic candidates, compared to 59% of women overall and 86% of Black men. Despite accounting for only 5-7% of the U.S. population, Black women have been the most reliable Democratic voting bloc.

Many Black Christian women have used their faith as a guiding force in their political careers. Keisha Lance Bottoms, the newly elected governor of Georgia, is a Methodist who credits her faith with inspiring her to run for office, stating that "God told me to go." Anita Earls, a North Carolina Supreme Court judge, is a long-time member of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

Massachusetts Representative Ayanna Pressley, who grew up in the Baptist faith, frequently references her Christian beliefs and her commitment to prayer.

These women, along with others like Shirley Chisholm, who was the first Black woman elected to Congress and ran for president on the Democratic ticket in 1972, have long been at the forefront of progressive politics. Black churches have historically served as community-based institutions that fostered social, political, and economic justice, with women playing a vital but often underappreciated role in organizing and advocating for change.