Now that Reverend Franklin Graham has left the Republican Party, the latter now faces repercussions that could play a significant role in its bid to capture the White House in November 2016.
According to Fox News, the GOP is now concerned that many other evangelical pastors will follow Graham's lead and bring their millions of congregations' members away from the polls.
Graham made his announcement last week after congressional Republicans went ahead and joined their Democratic colleagues in approving the 2016 U.S. budget, including funds for abortion service provider Planned Parenthood despite clear evidence of wrongdoing as exposed in sting videos.
But Graham insisted that the budget issue was not the only reason why he decided to quit the GOP and go independent. "It's not just that," he told Fox News' "On the Record with Greta Van Susteren." "It's the way the bill was passed. It came down so quickly. And it didn't seem like anybody tried to fight it. It was just, 'Let's get home for Christmas.'"
As fed up as he is with GOP and Democratic leaders, Graham said he did not make the decision with the hope of inspiring other Christian leaders to leave the GOP.
"I'm not here to hurt the Republican Party," he said, adding that the GOP has "some good candidates" in the 2016 presidential race.
Rev. Wilfredo De Jesus, head pastor for the New Life Covenant Church, in Chicago also echoed Graham's sentiments. "People already know how evangelicals feel about the sanctity of life," he said. "That's a continual fight. But the government spending also speaks to us. That was the disappointment and frustration you heard in brother Graham's tone."
De Jesus, who goes by the name Pastor Choco, said it is only a matter of time before Americans witness whether Graham's decision had an effect on evangelical voters or not.
"Many evangelicals are still vetting," he said. "It's too early."
The support Republican candidates can get from the faith community is considered vital, considering the fact that black and Hispanic voters are extremely loyal to the Democratic Party and are expected to support the Democratic presidential nominee in the November 2016 election. As such, Republicans need all the help they can get, pundits say.
President Barack Obama won reelection in 2012 largely due to the votes cast by the Hispanic community. He received 71 percent of the Hispanic vote while his Republican rival Mitt Romney got only 27 percent, records show.
