Latter-day Saints women turn away from scandal-plagued Republican candidate in Arizona
Latter-day Saints voters in Arizona's 5th Congressional District are expressing hesitation toward Republican candidate Mark Lamb. Despite his membership in the church, some voters feel his political behavior and the broader MAGA movement are inconsistent with their faith values.
Why it matters
This highlights the shifting political allegiances within traditionally conservative religious demographics in the United States.
Kimberly Tait had been a registered Republican all her life, until she switched her affiliation to independent in 2016.
The Gilbert, Ariz., resident always considered herself to be conservative but experienced a political identity crisis because she couldn't bring herself to align with the Republican Party under President Trump.
"I'm not super progressive politically and I'm really pretty moderate." Tait said. "But the MAGA movement in and of itself is — it's just really gross to me."
Now Tait — also a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — has another politician on her ballot that turns her off: Mark Lamb, the former Pinal County sheriff and Republican nominee for Arizona's 5th Congressional District, a conservative stronghold.
Lamb is favored to win the general election, but a lack of appeal to Mormon voters could make it a closer-than-expected race.
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