LDS Democrats no longer outnumbered by LDS Republicans in U.S. Senate

For the first time in at least twenty years, among Mormons serving in the U.S. Senate, there are as many Democrats as Republicans:

Democrats:

• Harry Reid (Nevada)
• Tom Udall (New Mexico)
• Mark Udall (Colorado)

Republicans:

• Orrin Hatch (Utah)
• Robert Bennett (Utah)
• Mike Crapo (Idaho)

The Udall cousins were elected in 2008 and entered the Senate earlier this month.  Gordon Smith, the moderate Republican from Oregon, lost in his race against liberal Democrat, Jeff Merkley.

I'll try to post info on current LDS in the House of Reps.

Mormons at the Inauguration of President Barack Obama

On Tuesday morning, thousands of American Latter-day Saints attended the Inauguration of America's 44th president, Barack Obama.  Among the millions in Washington for the events, many Mormons shared the moment of Obama's new administration.  Some prominent LDS in attendance:

• Senator Harry Reid, U.S. Senate Majority Leader (D-NV)
• Senator Robert Bennett (R-UT)
• Other LDS members of Congress, e.g. the Udall cousins (D-Nm, D-CO), Jason Chaffetz (R-UT), etc.
• Mayor Mufi Hannemann, mayor of Honolulu, Hawai'i
• David Archuleta, singer
• Dieter Uchtdorf, 2nd counselor in the LDS Church's First Presidency (not American citizen)
• Russell Ballard, member of the Church's Quorum of the 12 Apostles

Harry Reid & the West

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), who is LDS, recently declared that the upcoming Nevada caucus and the Denver Democratic National convention in August will direct the spotlight on the West.

"With the growth in the West, presidential candidates can and must win in the desert and mountain states," Reid said. "A candidate who can win in the West will win the White House."

Finally, Western states besides California are getting deserved attention in presidential and national politics.  Senator Reid's comments are indicative of the general shift of focus away from big cities into areas formerly of less political relevance.  Mormons are a key constituency in the West, and are mobilizing to support various presidential candidates.