By Bunni Pounds

How do we choose the right candidate in a primary election?

This can be a challenging question to answer during primary election seasons when both candidates state that they support the platform and/or the principles of the party they are representing.

On the conservative side, both candidates might claim that they are the most conservative, the most pro-life, the most fiscally conservative, and the list goes on and on... So how can we, as voters, decide which candidate is the best choice for us?

Step 1: Review the Candidates’ Biographies and their Personal STORIES

This might sound elementary, but first refer to your respective candidate’s campaign website. In their own words, the candidates will tell you much about themselves.

Ask: What are the points of emphasis that they make?

What are the values and issues that they highlight within their biographies? By diving into these stories, you will find kernels related to how they live their lives—this will, in turn, provide a blueprint of where they will be inclined to focus their energies should they be elected.

Step 2: Review the ISSUES that the Candidates Care About

On the issues page of their website (or literature), what stances do they take? (i.e. views on abortion, religious liberty, etc.) If they don’t have an issues page, I would take pause—this could mean that they are not educated enough on the issues to write an issues page, or they are attempting to keep their views hidden. Should you vote for a candidate like this? I wouldn’t.

Ask: On each issue, does the candidate give a detailed explanation of their respective stance, or do they only provide a brief statement?

After reviewing the candidates’ websites, also refer to your local newspapers to see if the candidate filled out their editorial questionnaires. You can also check with the interest groups that promote your values to determine if the candidate provided any additional information related to a specific issue.

If the candidate is an incumbent, cross-reference their stances with their voting record. Did they follow through? If they say they are pro-life, have they really followed through and voted for pro-life measures?

Again, you can refer to the interest groups in your state to learn if the candidate earned the groups’ endorsement, or if they are rated high on their scorecards. 

Step 3: Find Out what ENDORSEMENTS the Candidate has Earned 

Ask:

What endorsements do they highlight on their websites or social media pages?

Are the endorsers people that you trust and ones who share your Biblical values?

Does the candidate have many endorsements, or just a few? 

Do they have endorsements from important people within their own community—i.e. other elected officials, precinct chairs, activists, donors? Look for those as well.

Step 4: Find Out Whose MONEY is Funding the Campaign

…or does their campaign have any money?

This may sound again elementary, but if a candidate doesn’t have any money to market their name, policy stances and vision, they can’t win.

Do people believe in them enough as a candidate to support them and give them money? Dollars come from individual people. That is why donors and contributions are important. 

Ask:

How many donors do they have?

Are their donors inside the district or outside?

Do they just have large donors or small donors as well?

These are questions that can be answered on the Federal Election Commission (FEC) website for federal candidates, the Texas Ethics Commission (TEC) website for state candidates, and your local county elections department for local candidates. I highly recommend you take some time to review these websites.

Find out if they’ve received contributions from sources that affirm or contradict your values and stances. (i.e. pro-life vs. pro-choice organizations, groups that promote restrictions on immigration vs. groups that promote loosening immigration laws, etc.)

Step 5: Pray and ask for DISCERNMENT on Each Candidate

God will give you insight and help. He will grant WISDOM.

“My son, if you receive my words,

And treasure my commands within you,

So that you incline your ear to wisdom,

And apply your heart to understanding,

Yes, if you cry out for discernment,

And lift up your voice for understanding...”

-Proverbs 2:1-3 

Thank you for caring enough to research and spend time praying for guidance with your ballot and your picks. These are important decisions, and through your efforts you can make a huge difference for your city, your state, and your nation.

What America needs in this hour of history is YOU!

Have you taken the Pledge to Pray, Vote and Engage?