I predict a weak performance (by the usual standards for a Republican) in Utah should he be the GOP nominee -- and that is before I even mention what the LDS hierarchy will say about him. I would not be surprised to find the LDS hierarchy sending an "I'll show you!" message to a practitioner of multiple divorces and an owner of gambling casinos, both of which are contrary to Mormonism.
Even lackluster support for a Republican nominee by Mormons could put Arizona in play. The message will be clear: offend LDS sensibilities in a personal life, and lose.
Sanders would be interesting. Whether the "true Jews" as Mormons call themselves could vote for a Jew might be an interesting proposition.
It's more that Mormons are fairly pro-immigrant, and Trump's rhetoric against immigrants (and Muslims, for that matter) has been condemned by the LDS Church, as they feel it's similar to the rhetoric said when people were kicking the Mormons out of Missouri and Illinois.
Plus, Mormon voters don't tend to like obnoxious braggarts. It's less about Trump's personal life (I don't think most Mormons are aware about it or care), or the casinos, and more his braggart attitudes and anti-immigrant sentiment is disturbing to Mormons.
As for Sanders, most Mormons are not aware that he's Jewish, and considering his avowed socialism, I don't think him being Jewish will move the numbers in Utah one way or another. Mormons like Jews (though Jews don't like us), but Bernie's policy ideas are disturbing to the mainly conservative Mormons. Mormons consider themselves "of the House of Israel", which we also include modern Jews in.
Mormons are notoriously low energy, no?
Yes. We like polite, boring pols. I can't think of a single Utah politician with charisma.
