On the campaign trail this week, Hillary Clinton visited an AME church in Charlotte, North Carolina, where she urged the nation to do more to address racism and gun violence. Donald Trump visited a nondenominational Christian academy in Las Vegas and also met with a group of pastors. In advance of their Sunday debate (October 9), both candidates released statements on hunger and poverty. Trump said he would address those issues by promoting economic growth and cutting taxes. Clinton proposed a new goal of cutting poverty in half over ten years. In a video to Christian leaders, she pledged to raise the minimum wage and help struggling farmers.

Meanwhile the vice-presidential candidates discussed religion and quoted Scripture during their debate. Tim Kaine said he tries to practice his Catholic faith devoutly in his personal life, but he acknowledged that as an elected official he has taken actions that differ with church teachings on issues including the death penalty and abortion. Mike Pence, who grew up Catholic but attends evangelical churches, described making a personal decision to follow Christ while he was in college. He affirmed his strong opposition to abortion and his support for adoption as an alternative.