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https://www.wral.com/story/gop-senate-candidate-whatley-we-don-t-need-separation-of-church-and-state/22151351/

Republican U.S. Senate candidate Michael Whatley on Monday pushed pastors to run for public office, called on churches to encourage their congregations to register to vote and promoted the dissolution of the separation of church and state.

"We need more men and women of faith in the public square, Whatley said during a speech at a pastor summit in Raleigh. We don't need separation of faith and politics. We don't need separation of church and state."

Whatley is seen as the front-runner for his partys nomination in the race to replace North Carolinas senior U.S. senator, Republican Thom Tillis, who isnt running for reelection. He was among the speakers at the summit, hosted by the American Renewal Project, which aims to inspire the American church to embrace its role in the public square," according to its website.

The group has received criticism from some groups who say it is promoting Christian nationalism, arguing that the blurring of the lines between church and state is harmful to democracy. A group called Christians Against Christian Nationalism planned a protest on Monday outside the summit.

But Whatley and the American Renewal Project say more people of strong faith are needed in public office. You're the ones that have the influence, that have the day-to-day impact on every single family and every single member of your community, Whatley told the pastors.

Whatleys call comes two months after the Trump administration moved to loosen federal regulations of churches and their political activities. For decades, federal law has prohibited all 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations including churches from formally endorsing or opposing political candidates. In July, the Internal Revenue Service said in a court filing that the law should be reversed.

A 2024 Pew Research poll showed most Americans support the principle of separation of church and state. But two-thirds of Republicans say the Bible should influence U.S. laws at least some, the poll found, which is why the group is an important constituency for Whatley.

Slowly laying the groundwork.