Vice President Kamala Harris is making a concerted effort to connect with Latter-day Saint voters in Arizona, a key battleground state. Her campaign has set up an advisory committee, comprising current and former members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, to form a bridge with the faith community. This move acknowledges the sizable potential influence of nearly 450,000 church members in the state, which equates to about 6% of its total population.
In what is expected to be a tight race, Harris' outreach could significantly sway the election results. Traditionally, Latter-day Saints have primarily supported the Republican Party. However, Harris is looking to strategically reduce Trump's margins amongst demographic groups known to favor him. Despite the challenge of winning a majority, securing even a fraction of the Latter-day Saints' votes could critically determine the outcome in Arizona, similar to how Biden narrowly won the state in 2020, as reported by FOX 10 Phoenix.
Joel John, a former Republican state lawmaker who will co-chair the advisory committee, made a faith-based case for supporting the Democrats, citing the U.S. Constitution's integral role in the church's doctrine. "The Constitution is a tenet of our faith, and we certainly shouldn’t be voting for people who have shown a disdain for it," John stated, according to FOX 10 Phoenix. This argument underscores a broader appeal to the church's values which champions politicians who are "good, honest and wise," traits John believes Trump lacks.
The challenge for Harris is evident given Trump's past success with religious conservative voters. However, his difficulties in resonating with Latter-day Saints, due largely to his abrasive language and behavior, which runs counter to the church's principles of humility and compassion, creates an opening for Harris, particularly among younger church members who reflect a more diverse demographic. Anthropologist Brittany Romanello suggested this to AP News, noting that many vote based on moral grounds rather than strict party loyalty.
Counterarguments from the Republican side are nonetheless resolute. The Republican National Committee through spokesperson Halee Dobbins stands by Trump, asserting that he "has consistently stood with believers" while accusing Democrats of eroding traditional values. "President Trump has made it a priority to protect religious communities, not fight against them," Dobbins declared in a statement received by AP News. Whether these contrasting approaches will resonate with Latter-day Saint voters in Arizona remains to be seen as the campaign heats up and election day draws near.
