Latter-day Saints women in Arizona turn away from scandal-hit Republican candidate Mark Lamb

Republican congressional candidate Mark Lamb is facing a loss of support among Latter-day Saints women voters in Arizona, following allegations of sexual misconduct dating back to his time serving as a county sheriff, according to NPR.

Lamb, who is running for a US House seat in Arizona, has been accused of sexual misconduct while he was sheriff, allegations that have become a prominent controversy in the race. NPR reports that the scandal is turning away a notable number of voters, particularly women within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints community, a demographic that has traditionally leaned Republican in parts of Arizona.

An opening for Democrats

The erosion of support among this traditionally reliable Republican constituency is being seen by Democratic strategists as a potential opening in a district that has generally favoured Republican candidates, according to the report.

Arizona has a sizeable Latter-day Saints population concentrated in certain parts of the state, and the voting behaviour of this community can have a meaningful impact in competitive districts. Analysts cited by NPR suggest that discomfort with the misconduct allegations against Lamb could lead some of these traditionally Republican-leaning voters to either abstain or consider the Democratic alternative.

Neither Lamb's campaign nor state Republican officials were described as having issued a detailed public response to the shift in sentiment reported among Latter-day Saints women voters. The race is expected to remain closely watched as a potential indicator of broader voting patterns among religious conservative communities in swing districts.