Saved by faith?

Politics: Key 2007 races hinge on beliefs of candidates and faith of voters | Jamie Dean

Who is on Jesus' side in Mississippi? That's the question John Arthur Eaves Jr. posed to voters during his recent campaign for Mississippi governor.

The 41-year-old attorney and evangelical Christian ran his campaign on themes familiar in the Bible Belt: Eaves is pro-life, opposes gay marriage, and favors teaching creationism in public schools. But one thing about Eaves' overtly Christian-themed candidacy threw Mississippi voters for a loop: Eaves is a Democrat.

Eaves did not prevail against Republican incumbent Gov. Haley Barbour in the Nov. 6 elections, but the candidate did manage to make a point in the Republican stronghold: Democrats can be Christians, too.

Three states held elections for governor this year, and all three races were notable for at least one reason: Candidates from both parties made religious appeals a significant part of their political campaigns.