Old North News

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., former Democratic presidential candidate, recently endorsed Donald Trump, a move that may impact Catholic voters across the country, including in North Carolina. 

He has been open about his deep connection to his Catholic faith, which he discussed in a recent interview with EWTN. He spoke of growing up in a family where Catholicism played a central role. 

"We said the rosary at least once a day, oftentimes three times a day," said Kennedy, emphasizing how faith guided him through his struggles with addiction and shaped his worldview. "We prayed before and after every [meal]. We read the Bible every night. We read the lives of the saints. We went to church, sometimes twice a day. We would go to the 7 o’clock Mass and 8 o’clock Mass in the summers. It was our whole family, and it was really our whole community. It was part of me growing up.”

He has credited his faith with helping him recover from addiction and grounding him in his political and personal life.

“During that period of time, I wouldn’t say I lost my faith, but when you’re living against conscience, which you have to do if you’re addicted to drugs, you push God out over the periphery of your horizon,” Kennedy said. “So the concept of God was, although it never was erased from me, it was just a distant concept that was not part of my day-to-day life.”

This personal connection to the faith may appeal to Catholic voters in North Carolina, who make up an estimated 20-25% of the state's population, which suggests there could be over 1 million Catholic voters in the state.

Kennedy’s political platform addresses several key issues for Catholic voters. He has proposed measures aimed at reducing the number of abortions, such as providing subsidized daycare for mothers to alleviate financial concerns. 

Additionally, Kennedy opposes recent changes to Title IX regulations that permit biological males to compete in women’s sports, aligning with more traditional Catholic teachings on gender. 

He expressed concern about the fairness of allowing males to participate in women’s sports, stating, "I think we all need to respect people who have sexual differences and protect them, but I don’t believe that people who were born men ought to be able to compete in consequential sports.”

This position will resonate with Catholics in North Carolina, who often prioritize traditional values in their political decisions.

North Carolina, a crucial swing state in national elections, could see a shift in voter behavior due to Kennedy’s endorsement. His Catholic background and policy positions might motivate Catholic voters who are undecided or seeking candidates that reflect a nuanced approach to complex social issues.