Philadelphia
Black Baptist churches may not seem like an obvious match for Clinton, a white Methodist from the Chicago suburbs. But the Democratic presidential candidate, who’s been criticized for her tentative, even awkward political skills, often seems most at ease in houses of worship. It’s where she’s shared her faith for many years and earned a loyal following.
“One thing not a lot of people really understand about her is the central role of faith in her life,” said Mo Elleithee, Clinton’s spokesman in her 2008 White House campaign.
Clinton points to her faith as having sustained her through hard times and informing her approach to public service. Her days in Arkansas, coupled with her strong religious beliefs, have helped her connect to churchgoers in black communities, where she enjoys overwhelming support.
Clinton visited two churches in Philadelphia on Sunday, two days before Tuesday’s Pennsylvania primary. She pledged to seek criminal justice reform and fight for tougher gun regulations before the largely African-American congregations.