In 1960  the US electorate were contemplating the possible election of their first Catholic president, John F. Kennedy. One of the many conservative denominations that wrestled with ethics, policy, faith and a changing cultural and political landscape were Evangelical Lutherans.   
(The full article by historian John Strumme can be found in the Journal of Lutheran Ethics.)

Each generation turns it own page. 

The religious faith of a candidate naturally influences his conduct of public office. A vital faith inescapably affects both private and public life. To say otherwise is to deny the relevance of faith to life.

Nevertheless, the religious faith of a candidate cannot absolutely determine his conduct of public office. He is subject to pressures, valid and proper, from many sides and sources. In weighing and reconciling them all, he necessarily compromises any absolute rigidities his denominational dogma might impose in addition to the teaching of Scripture. We hold that no church body can compel the unquestioning allegiance of its members in public office to its partisan ecclesiastical dictates. Any candidate who binds himself so thoroughly to partisan ecclesiastical domination thereby unfits himself for public office.

It is well to distinguish the dual roles of person and public official. As a public official sworn to operate under law one perhaps must condone actions in which one would not participate personally. One cannot allow his personal conscience to determine what official acts he will perform.

Just as membership in a particular religious group should not disqualify a candidate from public office, so his particular church membership alone should not entitle him to support for that office.

The chief consideration, surpassing all others, is that the person best qualified for the position be chosen. Such personal qualities as integrity, courage, wisdom, and understanding are pertinent to the choice. The past records of the candidates and their parties, the claims they make and their credibility, and the probable benefits their supporters expect if victory is theirs, also are relevant considerations.

Among all these criteria the candidate’s religious faith is but one criterion, important but not decisive. Attitude, ability, allies, and allegiance of the candidates, not church membership alone, should be factors which members of the American Lutheran Church weigh when they cast their ballots.

via: Mainstream Baptist