The government may be secular but the Bible is full of examples of the nation of Israel suffering greatly when they installed a wicked ungodly king. The idea that looking at the moral character of a candidate is not a good idea and the sneering reply “we are not electing a paster” is an extremely insulting and stupid argument that the left came up with to defend Bill Clinton. It makes me sick to hear it being used on Free Republic. That said these days Free Republic should probably be renamed Fascist Republic.
Israel in Biblical days was a theocracy.
We are not.
And there is a difference between assessing the moral character of a candidate and applying the biblical standards for an elder.
It is however a free country, mostly, and you are individually welcome to apply such standards as you see fit. Further you may openly advocate for others to apply similar standards.
Others similarly remain free to agree, disagree, discuss, or oppose your views.
I see nothing fascist in such a system.