U.S. Elections: Will Arizona Mormons Vote Trump?
Nan and Daniel Barker are Republicans and members of the Mormon Church.
This year they will vote Joe Biden.
Marie Normand / RFI
Text by: Marie Normand Follow
5 mins
Arizona, which has 11 major voters, is a 2020 pivotal state. In that state, the Mormon community accounts for 6% of the population.
Traditionally conservative and committed to Republicans, some of them decided to vote Joe Biden this year, put off by the attitude and positions of President Donald Trump.
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From our special correspondent in Arizona,
The "
Arizona Republicans for Biden
"
signs
that Daniel and Nan Barker have placed in front of their home are in awe of the traditionally Republican neighborhood of Gilbert, near Phoenix.
But for this couple who are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the official name of the Mormon religion, it is impossible to vote Donald Trump.
“
Some people tell me to go over his personality and see only his politics.
But it's not just a question of personality.
One of the principles of our Church is to build bridges, to respect others.
And Donald Trump has none of these qualities,
”explains the retired Court of Appeal judge.
►Also listen: International guest - US Presidential: "
The polls, overall, are not moving
"
“
The most serious thing for me is his lack of honesty
”, adds his wife.
“
We have five children who have always been taught that honesty and respect are the core values.
From day one, we understood that these were not things that mattered to Donald Trump
”.
"We lost a lot of friends"
The Barker couple started the “
Arizona Republicans Who Believe in Treating Others With Respect
” movement, which was abbreviated on the signs to “
Arizona Republicans for Biden
”.
But this decision was very poorly accepted within their community.
“
People have been cruel, really mean.
We have lost, literally, hundreds of friends with whom we have worked in our Church for decades.
For the sole fact of voting Joe Biden this year, we were called
"baby killers", "said Nan Barker, moved.
She specifies that her neighbors in Gilbert, who are not part of the Church, have been much more understanding.
It is impossible to assess the extent of the rejection of the Republican candidate among Mormons.
Some of their children will vote for Donald Trump, "
which makes family dinners interesting,
" she smiles.
Nan and Daniel Barker claim that some 500 people got involved in their movement, from handing out placards to financial participation.
A minority therefore, in a community in Arizona which has more than 400,000 members.
"
It is still a considerable figure for people like us who have decided to bypass the established system
," insists Daniel, who still considers himself a Republican.
“
It's our party too
!
We just don't agree with the choice of candidate
”.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints officially takes no position.
"
Donald Trump is in line with our values
"
Some 300 kilometers south of Phoenix, in Yuma, live Jonathan Lines, his wife and their 11 children.
Former Chairman of the Arizona Republican Party, and currently running for Yuma County Supervisor, he is an early supporter of Donald Trump and is actively involved in his campaign.
“
He has the program, the policies, that most closely match what our founding fathers had in mind,
” explains Jonathan Lines.
“
In our Church, we are strongly opposed to abortion and other things promoted by Democrats.
Donald Trump has placed three judges on the Supreme Court, that means a lot to me, I am eternally grateful to him
”.
He nevertheless emphasizes that each member of the Mormon Church is free to choose.
“
I respect the fact that everyone votes in conscience, even if I do not share their opinions.
Some members of our Church had already voted for Hillary Clinton
”.
Donald Trump and his family have multiplied the messages to the Mormon community, organized many round tables.
The disaffection of some of them is bad news for the president, because every vote will count in Arizona.
In 2016, Donald Trump had won the state with only 91,000 votes in advance.
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?
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United States
USA Elections 2020
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