As several Mormon senators step away from their positions in Congress, some observers wonder whether the moves will alter the unusual access that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has had on Capitol Hill. That political power has brought results on matters that include clearing the way for Mormon missionaries abroad and brokering land deals between Utah and the federal government.
The recent retirements of Republican Sens. Orrin G. Hatch (Utah) and Jeff Flake (Ariz.) and Democrat Harry M. Reid (Nev.) come as Mormon political leaders have become some of the most outspoken critics of President Trump, especially within the Republican Party. Mitt Romney, who ran for president in 2012 and has been the country's most famous Mormon in recent years, announced he will run for Hatch's seat in Utah. He is likely to assume the role of critic — unlike Hatch, who was a Trump ally.
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