Latter Day Saint political history

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is a chronological listing of significant events surrounding Latter-Day Saints seeking or winning political office. It refers primarily to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but also some members of other Latter-Day Saint Movement religions. In addition to listing events chronologically, political firsts are noted. This list is very incomplete.

• 1838

John Corrill elected to the Missouri House of Representatives.

This was the first Latter-Day Saint elected to a state office in any state.

• 1841

William B. Smith elected to the Illinois House of Representatives.

This was the first Latter-Day Saint elected to a state office in Illinois.

This was the first time a member of the Smith Family was elected to office.

• 1842

Joseph Smith, Jr. elected Mayor of Nauvoo.

• 1844

Joseph Smith, Jr. declares himself a candidate for President of the United States. He is assassinated during his campaign.

This was the first Latter-Day Saint to run for President.

This was the first Latter-Day Saint assassinated in office (as Mayor of Nauvoo).

• 1850

Brigham Young is appointed Governor of Utah Territory.

This is the first Latter-Day Saint to hold a U.S. governorship.

• 1853

Jefferson Hunt is elected to the California State Assembly.

This is the first Latter-Day Saint elected to state office in California.

James J. Strang is elected to the Michigan Legislature.

This is the first Latter-Day Saint elected to state office in Michigan.

• 1855

James J. Strang is reelected to the Michigan Legislature.

• 1857

James J. Strang assassinated.

• 1858

Brigham Young removed from office as Governor of Utah.

• 1896

Utah gains statehood.

Martha Hughes Cannon first woman elected to any state senate in U.S. history (Utah).

Heber Manning Wells elected Utah Governor.

This is the first Latter-Day Saint to be Utah governor since Brigham Young.

This is the first Latter-Day Saint to be elected governor of any state.

• 1902

Reed Smoot elected to the U.S. Senate in Utah.

First Latter-Day Saint elected to the Senate.

• 1928

J. Reuben Clark appointed U.S. Undersecretary of State.

• 1930

J. Reuben Clark appointed U.S. Ambassador to Mexico.

• 1940

Berkeley Bunker appointed U.S. Senator from Nevada.

First Latter-Day Saint to hold national office from Nevada.

First Latter-Day Saint U.S. Senator from outside Utah.

• 1944

Berkeley Bunker elected to U.S. House of Representatives from Nevada.

First Latter-Day Saint elected to national office from outside Utah.

• 1953

Ezra Taft Benson appointed U.S. Secretary of Agriculture.

Ivy Baker Priest appointed U.S. Treasurer.

• 1961

Stewart Udall appointed U.S. Secretary of the Interior.

• 1962

George W. Romney elected Governor of Michigan.

• 1968

George W. Romney declares candidacy for President of the United States (as Republican).

• 1969

David Matthew Kennedy appointed U.S. Secretary of Treasury.

George W. Romney appointed U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.

• 1976

Mo Udall declares candidacy for President of the United States (as Democrat).

• 1980

Paula Hawkins elected to U.S. Senate from Florida.

• 1981

Terrell Bell appointed U.S. Secretary of Education.

• 1982

Bay Buchanan baptized into LDS Church as sitting U.S. Treasurer.

Harry Reid wins election as a representative from Nevada.

• 1986

Harry Reid wins election as a Senator from Nevada.

• 2000

Orrin Hatch declares candidacy for President of the United States (as Republican).

• 2002

Mitt Romney elected Governor of Massachusetts.

• 2004

Harry Reid becomes the Democratic Leader of the United States Senate, and the Senate Minority leader

• 2005

Michael O. Leavitt appointed U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services.

• 2007

Mitt Romney announces his candidacy for the U.S. presidency.