WISCONSIN — Republican vice-presidential nominee JD Vance addressed a crowd of Catholic voters in Wisconsin on Sunday.
Vance held a rally at Stein’s Aircraft Services near the Waukesha County Airport. It was part of an effort to get Catholic voters to support former President Donald Trump in critical swing states, including Wisconsin.
“We have Christian families raising children, and we want them to do that without a government attacking their faith,” Vance said. “We have Christian organizations that are helping people with day care and child care. Why is it that Kamala Harris seems to think Christians are a bigger threat to this country than Mexican drug cartels that she has let run rampant all over this country? It’s a disgrace.”
The rally came as Republicans focus on mobilizing Catholic voters in swing states like Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania.
Laura Sherfick was one voter who attended the Vance rally. Sherfick said her faith is tied to conservative values.
“I just want to uphold that image that Catholics stick with the right side, stick with conservative values,” said Sherfick.
Other voters at the rally said they are focused on change.
“I’m looking right now, we’ve had a terrible last four years. We want something new. We want something different. We are just not turning the pages. We want a new book,” said Willa Howard.
The latest Pew Research Institute data shows that 47% of Catholics in Wisconsin lean Republican while 36% lean Democrat.
Trump launched his campaign’s “Catholics for Trump” coalition in early September to help secure the Catholic vote.
Vance, who converted to Catholicism, told supporters that many Catholics feel abandoned by the current administration.
“There are a lot of Catholics that rightfully feel abandoned by Joe Biden and Kamala Harris’ leadership, and they are just looking for someone to protect their rights and make this country,” he said. “I think it’s true of a lot of Catholics and I think it’s true of non-Catholics, too.”