Episode 257 | October 29, 2026

Adam Kinzinger: Where Are the Good Candidates?

The fact that Elon Musk can spend hundreds of millions to elect Republicans. If he decided to, truly, he could decide next election cycle to spend $1 billion in each state in America, and that would still barely touch his net worth. That would be 50 times more than any presidential campaign has ever spent, and it would be totally legal. That wealth corruption and almost this oligarchy—they don’t like that term—is going to destroy people’s faith in the American dream.

— Adam Kinzinger

Episode Overview

Why Does Politics Reward the Wrong People?

Former Congressman Adam Kinzinger joins Curtis Chang on the Good Faith podcast to discuss the 2026 midterm elections, political corruption, and how Christians can evaluate political leaders. Kinzinger argues that character is revealed when leaders put public responsibility ahead of personal comfort—even when it means challenging their own party. Drawing on his vote to impeach Donald Trump and his service on the January 6 committee, he explores what restoring congressional accountability requires. They also discuss why principled candidates struggle to stay in office and how Christians can oppose harmful actions while loving their enemies and praying for political opponents.

Chapters

02:33

What Is the Meaning of Heroism?

04:34

Models of Courage for Congress

09:54

Faith and the January 6 Impeachment Vote

14:08

Adam’s Midterm Elections Predictions

17:55

The Other Side of the “God Gap”

22:51

Avoiding Political Idolatry

25:18

The Impacts of Redistricting on Congressional Careers

29:00

Cross-Partisan Alliances and Democratic Principles

31:24

Are There Candidates Who Understand the Stakes?

36:21

How Does Political Corruption Work?

42:32

Adam’s Guide to Assessing Character and Examining Records

46:45

Is There Hope for Congress?

52:37

Praying for Political Enemies

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Resources from the Episode

Listen to Good Faith episode 255: David French: What Christians Should Want on Election Night

Adam Kinzinger’s That’s What Heroes Do

Adam Kinzinger’s Substack Newsletter & Podcast

Adam Kinzinger’s 2024 Democratic National Convention Speech (transcript)

Listen to Good Faith episode 163: “Adam Kinzinger Defends Democracy and Embraces Biblical Hope”

Check out The After Party

Adam Kinzinger’s Renegade: Defending Democracy and Liberty in Our Divided Country

Adam Kinzinger’s Country First Movement

Scripture from the Episode

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

Matthew 5:43–45

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Psalm 119:105

Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Matthew 6:10

But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ.

1 Corinthians 15:20–23

Prayer Points from this Episode

Salvation

Pray for the souls and salvation of political enemies. This need not be a prayer for their comfort or continued power.

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