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New Congress will have 53 United Methodists

By Albert J. Menendez*
Jan. 6, 2009 | WASHINGTON (UMNS)

Fifty-three United Methodists will serve in the 111th Congress, a decline of eight from the last three Congresses, but the denomination still ranks third in total congressional membership.

While there are seven newly elected United Methodists in the 111th Congress, compared to five in the 110th Congress, an unusual number of Methodist members retired, died in office or were defeated for re-election, resulting in the overall reduction.

Mike Coffman

The new Congress convenes Jan. 6.

Unlike 2006, when all newly elected United Methodists were Democrats, five of this year’s new United Methodist members are Republicans while two are Democrats.

Newly elected United Methodist Republicans are Mike Coffman of Colorado, Bill Posey of Florida, Lynn Jenkins of Kansas, Phil Roe of Tennessee and Paul Olson of Texas. The two new United Methodist Democrats are Suzanne Kosmas of Florida and Mark Schauer of Michigan. All seven are House members.

Nine United Methodists will serve in the Senate, a decline of four from the previous Congress. Former presidential candidate Hillary Clinton of New York will become secretary of state in the Obama administration, while Elizabeth Dole of North Carolina lost her re-election campaign. Larry Craig of Idaho retired, and Craig Thomas of Wyoming died while in office.

Split between parties

Congressional United Methodists are split almost equally between the two parties, with 27 Democrats and 26 Republicans.

Lynn Jenkins

Texas has the largest number of United Methodist members with 11, followed by Florida with five, and Arkansas, Indiana, Michigan and Kansas with three each.

In terms of strength within state delegations, Arkansas is a United Methodist stronghold, with three of its four House members claiming membership in the denomination. Half of the Kansas delegation is United Methodist. Twenty-five states elected at least one United Methodist to Congress in 2008.

Thirty-two Methodists represent states in the South or Border South, while 15 come from the Midwest and six from the West.

Five state governors

United Methodists remain in third place among religious groups represented in Congress, following Roman Catholics in first place and Baptists in second. Jews, Presbyterians and Episcopalians are in fourth, fifth and sixth place, respectively. Nondenominational Protestants, Lutherans, nondenominational Christians, and Mormons complete the top 10. There are also two Buddhists, two Muslims and eight Eastern Orthodox Christians in Congress.

Mark Schauer

The United Methodist Church also has five members who are or will be serving as state governors, including newly elected Missouri Democrat Jay Nixon. The four current United Methodist governors are Republicans Charlie Crist of Florida, David Heinemann of Nebraska and Rick Perry of Texas, as well as Democrat Ted Strickland of Ohio.

Two United Methodists are leaving as governors of their states. Janet Napolitano of Arizona will become secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, and Delaware Gov. Ruth Ann Minner did not seek reelection.

*Menendez is a free-lance writer and research director for Americans for Religious Liberty.

Editor’s note: Information in this story is based on the religious affiliations reported by congressional staffs to Congressional Quarterly, the Almanac of American Politics and VoteSmart.com. This report reflects races decided or vacancies filled by Jan. 5. Information on the governors’ religious affiliation comes from CNN and The Almanac of American Politics.

News media contact: Linda Green, Nashville, Tenn., (615) 742-5470 or newsdesk@umcom.org.