In recent years, opposition to the death penalty has grown within unexpected corners of American politics. Among conservatives — traditionally strong supporters of capital punishment — a shift is underway. Groups like Conservatives Concerned About the Death Penalty are spearheading a movement rooted in fiscal responsibility, limited government principles, and moral concern for the innocent. At the same time, alarming developments in states like Florida remind us of the urgent human cost of this system, where procedural failures and rushed executions threaten justice and due process. Sustainable Action Now highlights these converging stories of reform and crisis, underscoring the need for accountability, transparency, and reform. Learn more about the broader debate and efforts for change at Sustainable Action Now – Death Penalty.
Conservative Voices Questioning Capital Punishment
Opposition among conservatives has grown steadily, with individuals and organizations citing multiple reasons why the death penalty contradicts conservative principles.
Fiscal concerns: Executing a death sentence is expensive, often costing far more than life imprisonment without parole. Studies in states like Tennessee reveal that capital trials and prolonged appeals drain taxpayer resources without demonstrable improvements in public safety.
Limited government: Libertarian-leaning conservatives argue that granting the state the authority to take a life is an overreach of power. No system is infallible, and the irreversible nature of capital punishment makes mistakes unacceptable.
Risk of executing the innocent: The possibility of wrongful execution resonates strongly with pro-life conservatives. Cases in Texas and other states highlight procedural failings and unreliable evidence that have placed lives at risk, prompting calls for retrials or moratoriums.
Religious and moral values: Faith-based opposition is also growing. Catholic and evangelical leaders alike have voiced moral objections, framing the death penalty as inconsistent with religious teachings on the sanctity of life.
Legislative and State-Level Shifts
Across the country, conservative lawmakers are taking action to limit or repeal capital punishment.
- Montana (2025): After the state’s execution protocol was deemed unconstitutional, a conservative group called for an end to the death penalty.
- Kansas (2025): Republican State Senator Carolyn McGinn introduced a bill prohibiting the death penalty for crimes committed after July 1, 2025, arguing it is a “broken public policy” that risks innocent lives.
- Ohio (2024): Republican Senator Michele Reynolds publicly questioned capital punishment in op-eds, citing her faith and personal experience as reasons to oppose the practice.
At the federal level, efforts to resume executions under future Republican administrations have met resistance from within the party, reflecting a growing internal debate over the appropriateness and morality of capital punishment.
Conservatives Concerned About the Death Penalty: A National Movement
Founded to educate conservatives on the practical and moral failures of the death penalty, Conservatives Concerned About the Death Penalty has become a national force in advocating for reform.
Key initiatives include:
- National forums and conferences: Speaking at major events like CPAC, the organization engages Republican, Libertarian, and evangelical leaders.
- State chapters: Support for chapters in Texas, Wyoming, Louisiana, and beyond strengthens grassroots advocacy for repeal or reform.
- Legislative testimony and advocacy: Representatives testify before committees and support conservative legislators in states like Kentucky, Georgia, Missouri, and Pennsylvania.
- Media outreach: Through op-eds, commentary, and public statements, the organization highlights the human and financial costs of capital punishment, as well as the risk of executing innocent people.
- High-profile endorsements: Over 250 conservative leaders, including Richard Viguerie and former presidential candidate Ron Paul, have publicly opposed capital punishment.
This growing network demonstrates that opposition to the death penalty is not confined to one political ideology — it is increasingly a bipartisan concern grounded in ethics, economics, and governance principles.
The Florida Crisis: Norman Grim and Bryan Jennings
While conservative debates unfold nationally, Florida has become the epicenter of an urgent human rights crisis. The state is executing individuals at an unprecedented pace — one execution every 16 days — with no meaningful public safety benefit, only the perpetuation of state-sanctioned violence.
Norman Mearle Grim, scheduled for execution on Tuesday, October 28 at 6 p.m., exemplifies the systemic failures in the state’s process. For years, Grim was left without state-appointed counsel, forcing him to navigate decades of records and complex legal filings with only days’ notice before his execution. His inability to establish trust with counsel and limited time to mount a defense highlights the structural injustices of Florida’s capital system.
Similarly, Bryan Jennings, slated for execution on Thursday, November 13 at 6 p.m., faced an impossible legal challenge. His lawyers were appointed after his execution warrant was signed and were handed over 75,000 pages of legal documents to review under extreme time constraints. His attorneys have argued that such conditions make competent representation impossible, challenging the state’s rapid march toward execution. Both cases underscore the urgent need for reform, particularly regarding access to counsel and procedural fairness.
The only legal alternative in Florida is life without the possibility of parole — a sentence that ensures accountability and safety without risking innocent lives. Yet state leaders appear motivated more by political optics than by justice or public safety, turning capital punishment into a tool of vengeance rather than governance.
Shifting Public Opinion and Broader Trends
Public support for the death penalty has reached its lowest levels since the 1970s, according to a Gallup poll in October 2025. Bipartisan momentum is growing, with legislators across party lines sponsoring bills to repeal or limit capital punishment. This reflects a recognition that the death penalty is costly, fallible, and morally complex.
Organizations like Conservatives Concerned About the Death Penalty continue to educate and mobilize citizens and lawmakers, emphasizing fiscal responsibility, limited government principles, and the protection of innocent lives. By amplifying conservative voices that challenge the status quo, they create space for meaningful discussion and policy change.
Taking Action
Now is the moment to act — to advocate for systemic reform, hold state leaders accountable, and amplify the voices of those affected by capital punishment. Whether through supporting legislative initiatives, attending vigils, or educating the public, citizens can make a tangible difference in the fight for justice.
The stories of Norman Grim, Bryan Jennings, and the broader conservative movement against the death penalty illustrate both the urgency and the possibility of change. History is being written in real time, and the choices made today will define the legacy of justice for years to come.
Learn more about the ongoing debate and how to get involved through Sustainable Action Now – Death Penalty.
