Anti-Mormon history in politics

Although Idaho is currently a Republican stronghold, it was not always that way. The Democratic Party had a strong presence in the original Idaho territory. This was in part due to the small but significant Mormon minority in the state voting in bloc for the party (yes, Mormons were mostly Democrats in the late 19th century). However, in order to receive statehood, members of the Democratic Party in Idaho (as well as members of the Republican Party) had to distance themselves from Mormons in order to convince Congress to grant them statehood (as Congress was anti-Mormon at the time). The original Idaho state constitution, which Congress had to approve, prohibited Mormons from voting. Essentially the Democratic Party had to choose between catering to a loyal and significant voting bloc in the party and statehood. The Democratic Party chose statehood.

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