The Harris-Walz campaign has appointed the Rev. Jennifer Butler as its new national faith engagement director.
According to Fox News, Butler is a liberal activist who has previously argued that White supremacists have "hijacked" the Christian faith.
Butler, the founder of the nonprofit Faith in Public Life, confirmed her appointment in an interview with Religion News Service. She expressed her belief that the Harris-Walz campaign presents a unique opportunity to "shift the debate" and engage those concerned about the potential implications of a Trump presidency.
In 2022, Butler wrote an editorial in which she called for more Christians to take action against what she perceived as the hijacking of faith by white supremacists. She urged fellow believers to denounce Christian nationalism and reclaim a faith that affirms the dignity of all people.
During an MSNBC interview in the same year, Butler elaborated on her views, stating that Christianity has long been used to justify oppression. She emphasized the need for Christians, particularly white Christians, to resist what she referred to as "the pharaohs, the Egyptian kings, the Roman Caesars of our day."
Butler's comments extended to criticizing Republicans for allegedly using religious liberty as a "weapon" to pass discriminatory legislation against the LGBTQ community. Her activist background includes a 2017 arrest for nonviolently protesting Republican efforts to repeal provisions of the Affordable Care Act.
The Harris-Walz campaign has not provided specific details about Butler's responsibilities in her new role. However, Butler herself has indicated that she brings a broad network of relationships that can help quickly assemble a coalition.
Butler told Religion News Service:
I bring a broad set of relationships that I think can help, very quickly, pull a broad coalition together. I also recognize that we're at a pivotal moment in American democracy where faith voices for justice are needed now more than ever… The Harris-Walz campaign is a really unique opportunity to shift the debate, to engage all of those who are concerned about what a Trump presidency would mean, the work of this campaign and what it can do to transform America.
Her appointment suggests that the campaign may be seeking to engage with faith-based voters and address issues at the intersection of religion and politics.
The appointment of Butler to this role in the Harris-Walz campaign raises questions about how faith-based outreach will factor into the 2024 election strategies. Her past statements and activism indicate a focus on addressing what she perceives as the misuse of Christianity for political purposes.
As the campaign progresses, it remains to be seen how Butler's approach to faith engagement will resonate with various religious communities and how it might influence the broader political discourse surrounding religion in America.
The Harris-Walz campaign's decision to bring Butler on board signals an intention to actively engage with faith-based voters and address complex issues surrounding religion and politics. This move could potentially shape the campaign's messaging and outreach strategies as the election season intensifies.
The appointment of Rev. Jennifer Butler as the national faith engagement director for the Harris-Walz campaign has brought renewed attention to the role of religion in politics. Her past statements on Christianity and white supremacy, as well as her activist background, suggest a potentially new approach to faith-based outreach in the campaign. As the 2024 election draws nearer, the impact of this appointment on the campaign's strategy and its reception among various faith communities will be closely watched.
