Questions Christians Should Ask Political Candidates

Asking Specific, Respectful Questions That Help Citizens Look Beyond Campaign Slogans and Understand How Candidates Would Actually Govern

Political candidates are accustomed to making speeches.

They tell voters what they believe.

They describe problems they intend to solve.

They explain why they should be elected.

They criticize their opponents.

They make promises.

But responsible citizenship involves more than listening to what candidates choose to tell us.

Sometimes we need to ask questions.

Good questions can reveal how well a candidate understands the office, whether promises are realistic, how proposals will be paid for, what limits the candidate recognizes on governmental authority, how the person handles disagreement, and whether the candidate has seriously considered the consequences of proposed policies.

Scripture says:

“The first to plead his case seems right, Until another comes and examines him.” – Proverbs 18:17 (NASB 1995)

Christians do not need to approach candidates as enemies.

Neither should we treat them as celebrities whose statements must never be questioned.

We can listen respectfully.

Research carefully.

Ask specific questions.

Request clarification.

Challenge assumptions.

And expect those seeking public authority to explain what they intend to do with that authority.

Citizen respectfully asking a political candidate a question during a community candidate forum.

Good questions help voters look beyond campaign slogans and understand how candidates would actually use the authority they are seeking.

Begin by Understanding the Office

Before asking a candidate what he or she intends to accomplish, understand the office the candidate is seeking.

A mayor cannot do everything a governor can do.

A governor cannot do everything Congress can do.

A member of Congress does not possess presidential authority.

A President cannot constitutionally exercise every power belonging to Congress, the states, or the courts.

A school-board member has different responsibilities from a state legislator.

A county commissioner has different authority from a mayor.

Therefore, one of the first questions we should ask is:

“What do you believe are the most important responsibilities of the office you are seeking?”

Follow with:

“What are the limits of that office?”

A candidate’s answer may reveal whether the person actually understands the position.

Ask What the Candidate Would Actually Do

Campaign language is often broad.

A candidate may promise to:

“Strengthen our economy.”

“Improve education.”

“Protect families.”

“Make our communities safer.”

“Lower costs.”

“Defend freedom.”

“Help working people.”

“Fix healthcare.”

Those goals may sound appealing.

But what do they mean?

Ask:

“What specifically would you do?”

Then keep going.

“What law would you change?”

“What program would you create, expand, reduce, or eliminate?”

“What would you do during your first year?”

“What can you accomplish directly, and what would require approval from another branch or level of government?”

Specific questions turn campaign slogans into proposals that citizens can evaluate.

Ask How the Candidate Would Pay for Promises

Government programs require resources.

A proposal does not become free simply because government provides it.

Citizens should ask:

“How much will your proposal cost?”

“How will it be funded?”

“Will taxes increase?”

“Will another program be reduced?”

“Will government borrow the money?”

“Will fees increase?”

“What happens if the program costs more than projected?”

“Is the expense temporary or continuing?”

A candidate may have a reasonable answer.

But voters deserve to know what the answer is.

Questions About Taxes

People can disagree sincerely about taxation.

Some believe taxes are too high.

Others believe additional revenue is necessary for important services.

Instead of asking only:

“Will you raise my taxes?”

ask more useful questions.

“Which taxes would you increase, decrease, or leave unchanged?”

“By approximately how much?”

“Who would be affected?”

“How much revenue would your proposal gain or lose?”

“If taxes are reduced, what spending would you reduce or how would you address the lost revenue?”

“If taxes are increased, what specifically would the additional revenue fund?”

“How will taxpayers know whether the additional spending accomplished what was promised?”

Taxes should be discussed together with spending.

Questions About Government Spending

Candidates frequently promise to reduce waste.

Ask for specifics.

“Which programs do you believe should receive more funding?”

“Which programs should receive less?”

“What government programs would you eliminate?”

“What services would be affected by those reductions?”

“How would you determine whether a program is successful?”

“What would you do with programs that repeatedly fail to accomplish their stated purpose?”

“How would your proposals affect deficits or government debt?”

A promise to “cut spending” is not yet a plan.

Neither is a promise to “invest more.”

Ask where, how much, why, and with what expected result.

Questions About Constitutional Government

Christians should care not only about what candidates want to accomplish but also about how they intend to accomplish it.

Ask:

“What constitutional or legal limits apply to the office you are seeking?”

“Can you identify something you would like government to accomplish but believe this office does not have the authority to do?”

“How do you understand the separation of powers?”

“How would you respond if your political party asked you to support something you believed exceeded the constitutional authority of your office?”

“Do constitutional limits still apply during emergencies?”

“What safeguards should prevent the misuse of governmental power?”

The willingness to accept limits on one’s own authority is an important characteristic of responsible leadership.

Questions About Religious Liberty and Freedom of Conscience

Christians should ask candidates how they will protect religious liberty—not merely for Christians, but as a principle of freedom.

Ask:

“How will you protect the free exercise of religion?”

“How should government handle conflicts between generally applicable policies and sincerely held religious convictions?”

“What protections should exist for freedom of conscience?”

“When should government provide religious or conscience accommodations?”

“How would you protect the rights of citizens whose religious beliefs differ from your own?”

A candidate’s commitment to religious liberty is particularly meaningful when protecting people with whom that candidate disagrees.

Questions About Freedom of Speech

Ask:

“What does freedom of speech mean to you?”

“How should government protect unpopular speech?”

“How should government respond to speech that officials consider offensive but that remains constitutionally protected?”

“How would you protect the rights of citizens who publicly criticize you or your administration?”

Freedom is easiest to support when we agree with the speaker.

Its real test often comes when we do not.

Questions About Public Safety and Individual Liberty

Government has a legitimate responsibility to protect public safety.

Citizens also possess important liberties.

Ask:

“How would you balance public safety with individual liberty?”

“What evidence should government require before restricting individual liberty for safety reasons?”

“What limits should apply to emergency governmental powers?”

“When should emergency restrictions expire?”

“What legislative or judicial review should exist?”

“How should government respond when new evidence shows that an earlier policy was unnecessary, ineffective, or created unintended harm?”

“What should officials do when evidence changes?”

The answer should involve more than simply choosing “safety” or “freedom.”

Responsible government must consider both.

Questions About Health Policy

Health policy can involve complicated scientific, medical, economic, legal, and ethical questions.

Citizens can appropriately ask:

“What evidence supports this policy?”

“What risks and benefits have been considered?”

“What remains uncertain?”

“How will new evidence be evaluated?”

“What independent review exists?”

“What medical or religious accommodations would be available?”

“How would citizens report adverse outcomes or unintended consequences?”

“Under what circumstances would you change or end the policy?”

These questions do not require assuming that a policy is either safe or unsafe before examining the evidence.

They require government to explain the evidence supporting its decisions and remain responsive when trustworthy evidence changes.

Questions About Government Agencies

Many important policies are administered by agencies rather than elected officials directly.

Ask candidates:

“How should agencies be held accountable?”

“How should citizens challenge an agency decision?”

“What transparency should agencies provide when making regulations?”

“How should conflicts of interest be disclosed?”

“How should agency decisions be reviewed when new evidence becomes available?”

“What role should elected representatives have in overseeing regulatory agencies?”

Citizens should know who exercises governmental authority and how that authority can be reviewed.

Questions About Education

Education concerns parents, students, teachers, taxpayers, churches, and communities.

Ask school-board candidates, state officials, legislators, and other appropriate candidates questions relevant to the authority they would actually possess.

“What role should parents have in their children’s education?”

“How should parents be informed about curriculum changes?”

“What process should be used to select textbooks and instructional materials?”

“Should proposed materials be available for public review before adoption?”

“How can parents raise objections?”

“What alternatives or accommodations should be available when a legitimate religious or conscience concern arises?”

“How should schools measure academic achievement?”

“What would you do when a program is not improving student outcomes?”

“How should school-board meetings allow meaningful public participation?”

Do not rely only upon what supporters or critics say a school is teaching.

Ask candidates whether they support transparency that allows citizens to examine the materials themselves.

Questions About Crime and Criminal Justice

Public safety and justice require concern for victims, communities, law enforcement, people accused of crimes, people who are incarcerated, and those returning to society.

Ask:

“What do you believe government should do to reduce violent crime?”

“How should law enforcement agencies be held accountable while officers are supported in performing legitimate duties?”

“What reforms, if any, do you believe are needed in sentencing?”

“What role should rehabilitation play in corrections?”

“How can government reduce repeat offenses?”

“What should be done to help people successfully reenter society after completing their sentences?”

“How will your proposals protect victims?”

“What will your proposals cost?”

Someone passionate about prison reform can ask specific questions without assuming that concern for incarcerated people requires indifference toward victims or public safety.

Justice should consider the whole picture.

Questions About Immigration

Immigration is a subject about which citizens may hold strong convictions.

Rather than reducing the discussion to slogans, ask candidates to explain actual policies.

“What do you believe the government’s responsibilities are concerning border security?”

“How should existing immigration laws be enforced?”

“What changes to immigration law do you support?”

“How should the government address people who have been living in the country unlawfully for many years?”

“How should asylum claims be handled?”

“How can the system distinguish legitimate humanitarian claims from abuse of the process?”

“What responsibilities should federal, state, and local governments have?”

“What would your proposal cost?”

“How would your approach affect families, employers, communities, taxpayers, and public safety?”

Christians may reach different policy conclusions while still recognizing biblical concerns for justice, compassion, order, truth, and love of neighbor.

Questions About Abortion and Other Deep Moral Disagreements

Some political issues involve profound moral convictions.

Christians should be able to ask serious questions without treating people who disagree as less than human.

When discussing abortion, for example, citizens may ask candidates:

“What legal protections do you believe should exist for unborn human life?”

“What exceptions, if any, do you support?”

“What assistance should be available to women facing difficult pregnancies?”

“What policies would you support for mothers, infants, adoption, foster care, childcare, and families experiencing financial hardship?”

“What role do you believe state and federal governments should have?”

Other voters may ask different questions because they begin with different convictions.

The purpose of asking is to understand what the candidate actually intends to do.

Questions About Poverty and Assistance

Compassion alone does not tell us which government program will work best.

Ask:

“Which anti-poverty programs do you believe are working?”

“Which are not?”

“How do you measure success?”

“How should government assistance encourage long-term stability rather than unnecessary dependency?”

“How should government work alongside families, churches, charities, nonprofits, and community organizations?”

“What would your proposals cost?”

“How would they be funded?”

Christians should care both about people who need help and whether the programs intended to help them actually work.

Questions About Economic Policy

Ask candidates to explain mechanisms rather than merely promising prosperity.

“What specifically would you do to encourage economic growth?”

“How would your tax proposals affect workers and businesses?”

“What regulations would you add or remove?”

“What effects do you expect those changes to have?”

“What would you do about government debt?”

“How would your policies affect inflation, housing costs, or other household expenses?”

“What evidence supports your projections?”

Economic promises should be evaluated like other political promises.

Ask how.

Questions About National Security and Military Force

For candidates seeking offices with national-security responsibilities, ask:

“Under what circumstances should the United States use military force?”

“What do you believe are the constitutional responsibilities of Congress and the President regarding military action?”

“How should military objectives be defined?”

“What responsibility does government have to veterans after their service?”

“How should national security be balanced with constitutional liberties?”

“What limits should exist on government surveillance?”

“How should classified information and government transparency be balanced?”

Protecting the nation and protecting liberty should not automatically be treated as opposing goals.

Questions About State and Local Government

Do not reserve serious questions for presidential candidates.

Local government can have an immediate effect on everyday life.

Ask a mayor:

“What are the greatest financial challenges facing our city?”

Ask a city council candidate:

“Which city services should receive greater or lesser priority?”

Ask a county commissioner:

“How will you evaluate whether county spending is producing results?”

Ask a school-board candidate:

“How will you improve transparency and communication with parents?”

Ask a state legislator:

“Which state laws do you believe most need reform?”

Ask a governor:

“What responsibilities should remain local rather than being controlled by the state?”

The closer government is to home, the easier it may be for citizens to ask questions directly.

Ask About the Candidate’s Actual Record

If a candidate has previously held office, do not ask only what the person intends to do.

Ask what the person has already done.

“You voted for ____. Why?”

“You voted against ____. What concerned you about that legislation?”

“You promised ____ in your previous campaign. Was that accomplished?”

“This program increased substantially while you were in office. Why?”

“You previously supported ____, but your current position appears different. What changed your mind?”

Give candidates an opportunity to explain their records.

Do not assume an opponent’s advertisement has already explained it accurately.

Ask About Changing Positions

Changing a position does not automatically indicate dishonesty.

People can learn.

Evidence can change.

Circumstances can change.

Ask:

“You previously held a different position on this issue. What changed your mind?”

Then listen.

A thoughtful explanation may demonstrate growth.

An evasive explanation may raise additional questions.

The important thing is to understand why the change occurred.

Ask About Mistakes

One of the most revealing questions may be:

“Tell me about an important decision you made that turned out to be wrong. What did you learn?”

Another is:

“What evidence would cause you to reconsider one of your major policies?”

Leaders who believe they can never be wrong may have difficulty correcting mistakes.

Humility is valuable in public leadership.

Ask About Political Party Loyalty

Political parties can help organize people around shared political goals.

But public officials ultimately have responsibilities beyond their party.

Ask:

“Under what circumstances would you vote against your own political party?”

“What would you do if party leaders pressured you to support something you believed was unconstitutional or harmful?”

“Can you give an example of an issue on which you disagree with your party?”

A candidate should be able to think rather than merely repeat a party platform.

Ask About Special Interests and Campaign Support

Campaigns require money and organizational support.

Receiving a lawful contribution does not automatically mean a candidate has been improperly influenced.

But transparency matters.

Ask:

“What safeguards will you use to prevent campaign donors from receiving improper influence?”

“How will you handle conflicts of interest?”

“What financial interests will you disclose?”

“When would you recuse yourself from a governmental decision?”

Do not assume corruption without evidence.

But do not be afraid to ask about influence.

Ask How the Candidate Will Treat People Who Disagree

This matters enormously in a divided society.

Ask:

“How will you represent citizens who did not vote for you?”

“How will your office receive criticism?”

“Will you meet with constituents who strongly oppose your policies?”

“How should peaceful political opposition be treated?”

“How will you protect the constitutional rights of people whose beliefs you strongly reject?”

Winning an election does not make the losing voters less deserving of representation or constitutional protection.

Ask About Accountability

Before Election Day, ask candidates how they expect citizens to hold them accountable afterward.

“How will you communicate major decisions to constituents?”

“Will you explain important votes?”

“How can citizens contact your office?”

“Will you hold public meetings or town halls?”

“How should citizens respond if you fail to keep an important campaign promise?”

“What government records should citizens be able to examine?”

“What does transparency mean to you?”

A candidate who asks for public trust should be prepared to explain how that trust can be evaluated.

Ask What Success Would Look Like

Candidates often promise to solve problems without explaining how citizens will know whether the solution worked.

Ask:

“How will you measure whether this policy succeeds?”

“What specific results should citizens expect?”

“How long should we wait before evaluating the policy?”

“If it does not work, will you change it?”

Government programs should not continue forever merely because admitting failure would be politically embarrassing.

Ask About Unintended Consequences

Good intentions do not guarantee good results.

Ask:

“What could go wrong with your proposal?”

“Who might be unintentionally harmed?”

“What is the strongest argument against your proposal?”

“What safeguards have you included?”

“What will you do if unintended consequences appear?”

A candidate who can explain the strongest argument against his or her own proposal probably understands the issue better than one who believes there is no legitimate argument on the other side.

Listen to the Answer

Asking a good question accomplishes little if we refuse to listen.

Do not spend the entire answer preparing your rebuttal.

Listen for specifics.

Listen for evidence.

Listen for acknowledgment of tradeoffs.

Listen for what the candidate does not answer.

Listen for whether the person understands the opposing argument.

Listen for humility.

Listen for exaggeration.

Listen for whether the answer actually addresses the question.

You do not have to agree.

But listen fairly.

James wrote:

“But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger.” – James 1:19 (NASB 1995)

That principle applies in political conversations too.

Follow Up When the Candidate Does Not Answer

Candidates sometimes avoid difficult questions.

Remain respectful.

Try again.

“I appreciate that explanation, but my question was specifically about the cost. How much do you expect the proposal to cost?”

Or:

“I understand your position on the broader issue. My question is whether you believe this office has constitutional authority to take that particular action.”

Or:

“You explained what your opponent did. Could you tell me what you would do instead?”

A respectful follow-up can be more revealing than the original question.

Do Not Turn a Candidate Forum Into a Personal Attack

A candidate forum is an opportunity to learn.

Do not use your question merely to give a speech.

Do not insult the candidate.

Do not accuse someone of crimes or corruption without evidence.

Do not deliberately humiliate the person.

Ask the question you genuinely want answered.

For example, instead of:

“Why are you trying to destroy our schools?”

ask:

“I am concerned that this proposal would have the following effect on our schools. How do you respond to that concern?”

Firm questions do not require hostile language.

Contact Candidates Directly

You may not have an opportunity to question a candidate in person.

You can still contact the campaign.

A short, specific question is usually more useful than a long political argument.

For example:

“I am a voter in your district. Religious liberty is important to me. What protections for religious conscience would you support if elected?”

Or:

“I am concerned about county spending. Which three areas of the budget would you most like to change, and why?”

Or:

“I have reviewed your position on ____. Could you explain how you would pay for the proposal?”

A campaign’s response—or failure to respond—becomes one piece of information among many.

Ask the Same Questions of Candidates You Like

This may be the most important practice on this entire page.

Do not reserve difficult questions for candidates you oppose.

If spending matters, ask your candidate about spending.

If character matters, examine your candidate’s character.

If constitutional limits matter, ask what limits your candidate would accept.

If truth matters, verify your candidate’s claims.

If government transparency matters, expect it from your own political side.

Ask yourself:

“Would I accept this answer if the other candidate gave it?”

Christian integrity requires one standard.

After Election Day, Keep the Questions

Election Day does not end our responsibility.

Save important campaign promises.

Keep notes from candidate forums.

Remember what the candidate said.

Then, after the person takes office, ask:

“Did the official do what was promised?”

“If not, why?”

“What changed?”

“What results did the policy produce?”

“What did it cost?”

“What needs to happen next?”

Good questions help voters choose leaders.

They also help citizens hold leaders accountable.

Practical Application

Before the next election, choose the three issues that matter most to you.

Determine which level of government actually has authority over each issue.

Write two or three specific questions for each candidate.

Avoid questions that can be answered with only a slogan.

Ask candidates what they would actually do.

Ask how proposals would be paid for.

Ask what authority permits the proposed action.

Ask how success would be measured.

Ask what could go wrong.

Ask what evidence would cause the candidate to change course.

Ask about religious liberty and constitutional rights.

Ask about the candidate’s record.

Ask about mistakes.

Ask about party independence.

Ask how citizens can hold the person accountable after Election Day.

Ask the same difficult questions of candidates you support and candidates you oppose.

Listen carefully to the answers.

Verify important claims.

And pray for wisdom before deciding what those answers mean for your vote.

Questions for Personal Reflection

Do I ask political candidates questions, or do I mostly listen to campaign messages?

Do I understand what authority the office actually possesses?

Do I ask how campaign promises will be paid for?

Do I ask about constitutional limits as well as desired outcomes?

Do I care about religious liberty for people whose beliefs differ from mine?

Do I ask candidates how they would respond when evidence changes?

Do I ask specific questions about the issues I care about most?

Do I investigate a candidate’s actual record?

Do I give candidates an opportunity to explain controversial votes?

Do I distinguish changing one’s mind from dishonesty?

Do I ask candidates about mistakes and what they learned?

Do I care whether a candidate can disagree with his or her own political party?

Do I ask about conflicts of interest?

Do I ask how candidates will treat citizens who oppose them?

Do I ask how success will be measured?

Do I consider unintended consequences?

Do I listen carefully when a candidate answers?

Can I respectfully follow up when my question was not answered?

Do I ask equally difficult questions of candidates I support?

Do I continue asking questions after the election?

Does the way I question political leaders reflect truth, courage, humility, and the character of Christ?

A Prayer for Wisdom in Asking Questions

Father, thank You for giving us opportunities to participate in our communities and government. Give us wisdom to ask good questions of those who seek public authority. Help us look beyond slogans and promises and seek to understand what candidates actually intend to do. Give us courage to ask difficult questions without becoming hostile, and humility to listen carefully to answers we may not expect. Help us seek truth rather than merely information that confirms what we already believe. Teach us to examine costs, consequences, constitutional limits, character, competence, policies, records, and the effects government decisions may have upon our neighbors. Keep us from treating political opponents with contempt. Help us apply the same standards to candidates we support and candidates we oppose. Give those seeking office honesty when answering citizens and humility when they do not know an answer. Above all, help us remember that our ultimate allegiance is not to a candidate or political party but to Jesus Christ. In His name, Amen.

Christian Citizenship

Christian Living