LDS Over-Represented in Legislature
More than 40 percent of Idaho legislators identify themselves as Protestant. That’s in-line with religious affiliation for Idaho’s general population, which according to a 2008 survey from the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, found 38 percent of Idahoans identify as Protestant. ... At least 36 percent of Idaho’s legislators identify themselves with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. That’s compared to 23 percent of Idaho’s total population. Conversely, there is a larger percentage of Catholics living in Idaho, than there are representing constituents in the Legislature. Eighteen percent of Idahoans say they’re Catholic, 8 percent of legislators self-identify as Catholic/Emilie Ritter Saunders, StateImpact. More here. (AP file photo of Mormon pioneer Brigham Young)
Question: Are you surprised to discover that the Mormon religion is over-represented -- and the Catholic Church under-represented -- in the Idaho Legislature demographically?