Explained: Clergy candidates' message of 'love your neighbor' powers Democrats’ midterm election gains

Clergy members and other Democratic candidates with a Christian message helped Democrats flip control of Congress in the midterms

mainline Protestantism

A branch of American Protestant Christianity, including Presbyterian, Methodist and Lutheran denominations, often with moderate or progressive beliefs

religious left

A political and religious movement among left-leaning Christians, described as a counter to evangelical support for Trump and Republicans

white evangelical Protestants

A voting bloc described as overwhelmingly and consistently supportive of Republicans in the midterms

AP Voter Poll

A survey of roughly 100,000 midterm voters used to analyze voting patterns by religious affiliation

Golden Rule

The biblical principle 'Do unto others as you would have them do unto you,' referenced by Adam Hamilton in his victory speech