He grew up on a farm in Indiana, the son of a factory worker and eldest of five children. He studied at Liberty, a Christian university founded by conservative pastor and televangelist Jerry Falwell, and recalls wearing a T-shirt expressing opposition to the Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry. Two decades later, Justin Douglas is running for the US Congress -- as a Democrat. He is among about white 30 Christian clergy -- pastors, seminary students and other faith leaders -- known to be potential Democratic candidates in next year's midterm elections, including a dozen who are already in. While stressing separation of church and state, many say that on a personal level their faith is calling them into the political arena. The trend marks a break from a traditional racial divide. Black pastors who run for office are typically Democrats; their white counterparts are usually Republicans, reflecting the religious right's strength and the party's dominance among evangelicals.