What was the last time the GOP candidate did as well with secular voters as Trump did in 2016?

[darklordoftech]

It’s been noted that in 2016, Trump made inroads with voters who normally vote Democrat because they dislike the Religious Right. When was the last time before 2016 that the GOP Presidential ticket did as well as Trump did with those voters?

[TransfemmeGoreVidal]

Probably George HW Bush in 1988 since he’s the last Republican to really clean up in the suburbs, including northeastern socially liberal suburbs that haven’t gone for any Republican since. Maybe Reagan even moreso though just based on the sheer size of his landslide in 84.

[RINO Tom]

Probably George HW Bush in 1988 since he’s the last Republican to really clean up in the suburbs, including northeastern socially liberal suburbs that haven’t gone for any Republican since. Maybe Reagan even moreso though just based on the sheer size of his landslide in 84.

Are we defining “secular” as religious “nones” or people who are unaffiliated?  Because that was such a small group as to be irrelevant during Reagan’s 1984 campaign.

[darklordoftech]

Probably George HW Bush in 1988 since he’s the last Republican to really clean up in the suburbs, including northeastern socially liberal suburbs that haven’t gone for any Republican since. Maybe Reagan even moreso though just based on the sheer size of his landslide in 84.

Are we defining “secular” as religious “nones” or people who are unaffiliated?  Because that was such a small group as to be irrelevant during Reagan’s 1984 campaign.

I’m defining “secular” as people who vote Democratic because they dislike abortion restrictions, the GOP’s appeals to religion, etc.

[TransfemmeGoreVidal]

Probably George HW Bush in 1988 since he’s the last Republican to really clean up in the suburbs, including northeastern socially liberal suburbs that haven’t gone for any Republican since. Maybe Reagan even moreso though just based on the sheer size of his landslide in 84.

Are we defining “secular” as religious “nones” or people who are unaffiliated?  Because that was such a small group as to be irrelevant during Reagan’s 1984 campaign.

That's a fair point. I can also imagine that the tiny group who were religious nones at that point probably would be the types to be more aware then average of the growing religious right influence in the GOP and thus probably leaned towards Mondale.

[Blow by blow, the passion dies]

Probably George HW Bush in 1988 since he’s the last Republican to really clean up in the suburbs, including northeastern socially liberal suburbs that haven’t gone for any Republican since. Maybe Reagan even moreso though just based on the sheer size of his landslide in 84.

Are we defining “secular” as religious “nones” or people who are unaffiliated?  Because that was such a small group as to be irrelevant during Reagan’s 1984 campaign.

I’m defining “secular” as people who vote Democratic because they dislike abortion restrictions, the GOP’s appeals to religion, etc.

Probably 1976 then. Jimmy Carter had lots of appeal among evangelical voters.

[Mr. Smith]

Reagan

Slick little Hollywood actor he was, divorced too. All the ingredients for good secular support in this country.

[Ragnaroni]

Bush '88. I made a map on the discord related to the last time each county voted GOP and many New England and Bay Area secular counties last voted for the GOP in 1988.