While Mitt Romney, the most well-known LDS politician, lost his bid for the White House this year, Mormons fared well in congressional races.
Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will make up more than 3 percent of Congress come January, nearly double the faith’s 1.7 percent proportion of the population nationwide.
There haven’t been as many LDS adherents in Congress since 2000, when Salmon last served in the House. The congressman-elect, who was born in Salt Lake City and earned his master’s degree at Brigham Young University, says it’s positive for the faith to be so well-represented in the federal government.
And, Salmon adds, if they get together, "we know the same primary songs."
Mormons have averaged about 15 members in Congress during the past few sessions, with most serving on the Republican side.
The big exceptions are Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, the Nevadan who is the highest-ranking elected official from his faith in the nation, and Utah Rep. Jim Matheson, also a Democrat.
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