Latter Day Saint political history

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 (LDS Church), but also some members of other Latter Day Saint movement religions, such as Community of Christ, formerly the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (RLDS). 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.

1841

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

1842

Joseph Smith elected Mayor of Nauvoo.

1844

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

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.James J. Strang is elected to the Michigan Legislature.

1855

James J. Strang is reelected to the Michigan Legislature.

1858

Brigham Young removed from office as Governor of Utah.

1896

Utah gains statehood.

1902

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

1911

Israel A. Smith elected to the Iowa State Legislature.

1922

George Sutherland appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court.

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.

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

Terrel 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 simultaneously. Two are Latter-day Saint.

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

2011

Mitt Romney announces his candidacy for the U.S. presidency.Jon Huntsman, Jr. announces his candidacy for the U.S. presidency.