Nowadays, anyone can be called an “evangelical” for polling purposes.
It could be.
Catholic?
Protestant?
Other?
Maybe the “other” gets put into the Evangelical rank?
35 years ago our small rural Presbyterian church got a new pastor. He brought in a new associate as well. The associate preached on how the virgin birth of Jesus was just a story as obviously that kind of thing doesn’t happen. But the story is even more important than it actually happening. (No - I don’t recall how he argued that point).
I asked him after the service that probably means you don’t believe that Jesus was resurrected either? “Well of course not”. I turned to the head pastor and told him to take us off the members list as we would never be returning.
Attended for many years, sang in the choir, got married in that church - sad.
Disclaimer - we have been back twice on our visits across the country in the last 6 years. New pastor seems to preach the Bible.
Can’t help but wonder how they decide who is an “evangelical”?
Since there isn't a definitive definition of "Evangelical" that everyone agrees on or a recognizable, visible and official "Evangelical Church", pretty much anyone can call themselves an Evangelical-- and who's to say (aside from personal opinion) they are not?
The Catholic Church has a similar but different problem with those who call themselves Catholic but are really Catholics in name only. The difference is that the Catholic Church has a clear body of core beliefs that, if you obstinately deny them, by definition (heresy) your status as a Catholic is forfeited (latae sententiae), or is at least in doubt. And yes this goes for the Pope, the bishops, and priests.