The elections won't be for over a year but Republicans are already busy wooing Christian Americans. Politicians are aware that the votes of white Evangelical Christians in Iowa and South Carolina are crucial, especially during the early stages of voting.
"It looks like we are going to have more social conservative candidates than we did the last time. It is going to be very competitive," said Family Research Council president Tony Perkins.
Next month, Iowa voters will be courted by five possible GOP presidential candidates in Des Moines. Hot issues include abortion, religious liberty and gay marriage. Florida voters will be courted on the same day, this time by Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, who is inviting Christians to join him for a day of prayer and fasting.
Politicians in the social conservative movement are worried about having too many candidates. Leaders discussed working together to avoid watering down the power one strong socially conservative politician can provide.
"From my perspective, it would be a whole lot wiser for us to coalesce behind one candidate than divide up. But that is easier said than done. I think you let the process play out and if there is an opening, then coalesce. I think you try to do it, but I am not confident," said Family Leader CEO and president Bob Vander Plaats.
In the event that the Christian vote has to be divided during the 2016 election, the names of Jeb Bush and Chris Christie were brought up by social conservatives. Private meetings occurred to talk about rallying behind one candidate to court the conservative Christian voters. This included the prominent Council for National Policy group.
In 2015, large gatherings such as the Conservative Political Action Conference, the Values Voter Summit and the Family Leader will bring in lobbyists and leaders. Fundraisers, dinners and candidate forums will be conducted in the hopes of gathering conservative votes.
Said longtime social conservative activist Lisa Van Riper, "Whatever they say, they need to truly believe it. They need to have a clear action plan, not just give lip service. They need to talk about the current situation and need to be fluid in that and what specific kinds of policies they might propose. If they've done something on the issues, it gives them a lot more credibility than just talking about it."