Ryan Claassen is a professor of political science at Kent State University. He is the author of Godless Democrats and Pious Republicans? Party Activists, Party Capture and the “God Gap.”

Matthew Schweich is the deputy director of the Marijuana Policy Project. This organization is working to change marijuana laws across the country by lobbying legislators and coordinating state campaigns. In 2018, Schweich worked on the Utah ballot initiative.

Hannah Hetzer serves as the Drug Policy Alliance’s senior international policy manager. She worked on the campaign that led to marijuana legalization in Uruguay and continues to research related policies around the world.

Elizabeth Sherman is an assistant professor of American politics at American University in Washington, D.C. She recently wrote an analysis of John McCain’s legacy, exploring his views on the relationship between religion and politics, for The Conversation.

Charlie Black was an instrumental part of John McCain’s 2008 presidential campaign, serving as senior political adviser and meeting with evangelical Christian leaders on McCain’s behalf. He is now chairman of Prime Policy Group, a public affairs firm.

Gary Bauer is president of American Values, a conservative advocacy organization, and a commissioner for the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom. He regularly comments on what’s happening in the White House and, in 2000, ran against John McCain for the Republican presidential nomination. 

Samuel D. Brownback is the U.S. ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom. He previously served as governor of Kansas, as well as a U.S. representative and senator. 

John Karaagac is a political scientist and senior lecturer at Indiana University. He is the author of John McCain: An Essay in Military and Political History.

Elaine S. Povich is the author of John McCain: A Biography. She’s a longtime journalist and adjunct lecturer in journalism at the University of Maryland.