Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul is courting Mormon voters in the heavily Mormon populated state of Nevada, as the candidates prepare to shift their focus from Florida to Nevada, which holds its caucus voting on Saturday.
Mr. Paul’s ability to win over Mormon voters will be essential in Nevada, where in 2008, 25 percent of the caucus voters were Mormons, according to a U.S. News and World Report article published Monday.
The front running Republican candidate Mitt Romney is expected to get the majority of Mormon voters though, as 90 percent of Mormon voters in the 2008 Nevada Republican caucuses voted for the former Massachusetts governor.
“You cannot grow up in the church and not hear of and be taught that the Constitution is an inspired document,” said Connor Boyack, a Mormon that runs the Utah Tenth Amendment Center told U.S. News and World Report. “And when it comes to who best supports and defends the Constitution, Ron Paul is that guy.”
The Texas congressman has consistently ran his campaign based on his core belief in of government being limited and strictly constitutional. Mr. Paul is a constant preacher of individual liberties. He believes programs like Preisident Barack Obama’s Affordable Health Care Act should be repealed.
Mr. Paul’s campaign has a Facebook page dedicated to how his legislation benefits Latter Day Saints called the Latter Day Saints for Ron Paul page. The page has received 1,473 likes by Facebook users, and currently has 394 people talking about it on Facebook.
The page also reads “Ron Paul preserves, protects, defends LDS constitution view.”
Mormons consider the Constitution to be extremely important as far as defending their freedom of religion. The Constitution is also mentioned in the Mormon church doctorine.
“Members of the LDSchurch make up one of those important coalitions, all of which are great assets in this campaign. Dr. Paul’s message resonates with everyone who believes in the principles he espouses: limited government, personal and economic liberty,” said Gary Howard, a spokesman for Mr. Paul.
Mr. Romney has rarely mentioned his religion in his campaign speeches, and there is no mention of his Mormon faith anywhere on his presidential campaign website.
In contrast, Mr. Paul’s campaign team posted the U.S. News and World Report article entitled “Ron Paul’s Appealing to Mormons,” to his presidential campaign website.
The Texas Republican is hoping that a victory or top tier finish in Nevada will help his candidacy hopes for winning the Republican nomination in 2012. While his rival candidates await the results of the Florida Republican election on Tuesday, Mr. Paul will give an election night speech in Las Vegas.
