Skip to Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life Full Site Menu Skip to main content
Georgetown University Logo

Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life

February 18, 2026

Political Realignment and the Faith Vote

What to Expect in Future Elections

As U.S. political coalitions shift and long-standing alignments weaken, the relationship between faith and public life is being tested and reshaped. Religious beliefs and communities continue to influence how many Americans understand their political commitments, civic responsibility, and duty to promote the common good. 

This installment of the Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life’s Faith and the Faithful series brought together an experienced campaign faith director, experts on the intersection of politics and faith, and a leading journalist to examine how faith is shaping political engagement and realignment and what this might mean for future elections.  

Anna Gordon, assistant director of the Initiative, moderated the conversation.

This gathering had two parts: 

7:00 - 8:00 p.m. | Dialogue
A conversation on “Political Realignment and the Faith Vote:  What to Expect in Future Elections” with four leaders 

8:00 - 9:00 p.m. | Reception
Continue the conversation with other young leaders 

This Salt and Light Gathering was for young Catholics and others to come together to explore key issues and personal stories involving faith and public life with respected leaders, and is part of the Initiative’s Faith and the Faithful series. 

Resources

View articles, podcasts, and other resources from this dialogue.

Participants

Melissa Deckman

Melissa Deckman

Melissa Deckman is the CEO of Public Religion Research Institute, a non-profit, non-partisan research organization dedicated to conducting independent research at the intersection of religion, culture, and public policy, and the author of The Politics of Gen Z How the Youngest Voters Will Shape Our Democracy (2024).

Josh Good

Josh Good

Josh Good is the director of the Aspen Institute’s Religion and Society Program. Since 2018, he has led Faith Angle Forum, a program that strengthens reporting and commentary on how religious believers, religious convictions, and moral arguments affect American politics and public life.

John McCarthy

John McCarthy

John McCarthy was the senior advisor for political engagement to President Joe Biden and was the deputy national political director for Joe Biden’s 2020 presidential campaign. He served as national director of faith community outreach for Hillary for America and was a co-chair of Catholics for Obama-Biden. He was a senior fellow with the Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life in fall 2025.

Sabrina Rodriguez

Sabrina Rodriguez

Sabrina Rodriguez is a politics reporter at the Wall Street Journal. She previously covered national politics for the Washington Post, reporting on evolving demographics in battleground states.