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.
  • 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.
  • 1985
Jake Garn becomes first sitting U.S. Senator to fly in space.
  • 1986
Harry Reid wins election as a Senator from Nevada.
  • 1988
Evan Mecham impeached and removed from office as Governor of Arizona
  • 1999
Three members of the Udall family serve in Congress simulataneously. Two are LDS.
  • 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
Harry Reid becomes Senate Majority Leader
Mitt Romney announces his candidacy for the U.S. presidency.