Evangelicals Rally For Diego

Pastor running for Lt. Governor receives strong support from evangelical Christian community

VICKSBURG, DMG--The popular pastor running for Lt. Governor is being strongly supported by fellow conservative Christians throughout the state.

Mercer Diego (CNS), senior pastor at Mattinow Family Church, a mega-church of 8,000, never planned to enter politics. But in 2006, the 41-year-old husband and father of five did just that when he decided to run for delegate as a Conservative. Though unsuccessful then, Diego decided, after much prayer, to run for office again this year--this time, for lieutenant governor.

"It wasn't an easy decision in any aspect. I had to consult my family, my friends, my church and co-workers, and above all, God," Diego told the Mattinow Star newspaper.

But the affable pastor, who is wildly popular among Christian conservatives throughout the state and nation, decided to run. And now that he's on the ballot, he is finding broad support among the state's evangelical Christian community.

A new poll conducted by the University of Vicksburg showed Diego earning an astonishing 85% of the evangelical vote when matched up with his NAT opponent, businesswoman Jenna Duvan.

"Mercer really attracts people to his campaign, particularly evangelicals, because he is one of them. He believes that God is sovereign and must have a place in our government," Dr. Jim Wesley, professor of religious studies at Wernerheim Presbyterian University, told GNN.

And Diego's supporters are enthusiastic in their support. Though he trails Duvan in money and name recognition, Diego often speaks to adoring crowds of thousands at campaign rallies and events. Duvan rarely attracts such attendance.

At a rally in Vicksburg Saturday, over 3,700 people packed into Whitby Stadium, on the city's west side to hear the religious leader speak. Amid the rain, supporters were also waving signs and handing out campaign literature to passersby.

Though initially trailing Duvan significantly in the polls, Diego now is virtually even with his NAT opponent. And Duvan still has more money, with $8.1 million compared to Diego's $7.4 million. However, with a little over a month left to go before the election, Mr. Diego's campaign is aiming to close the fundraising gap.

"We have got to get Mercer in there [office] and the only way we can do that is if we donate our money, time, and energy to his campaign," Becky Steuman, a minister from Vicksburg told the crowd at Whitby Stadium.

A subsequent speaker told the enchanted crowd Diego deserved their support because he "stood up for the right things."

"Let me tell you what Mercer believes," Brad Ellington, a pastor from South Grassadella City, told the crowd. "He believes life begins at conception. He believes marriage is between one man and one woman. He believes there is a creator, who formed the earth and heavens and everything that is in it. He believes that every person is important, and that life should be protected at all costs. And most of all, he believes that faith and freedom are not exclusive, but rather, complimentary."

The Diego campaign would not comment specifically on its outreach to evangelical voters.

"Mercer has supporters from all walks of life and religious and cultural backgrounds, and that's because his message of freedom and hope for our state is registering with people from all over the political spectrum who are hungry for change," spokeswoman Mary Cronn told GNN News.

According to the campaign's website, Mr. Diego will appear Monday in Grassadella City and then later on in the week in West Lake.