Local Voices: The Romney Role in Aliso Elections

Eventual Presidential nominee Mitt Romney has the potential to carry LDS local candidates into office in select races.  Aliso Viejo has a sizable Morman church population.  Turn out for Romney in Aliso Viejo should be strong which means LDS candidates for city council and school board can expect an extra push this election cycle.

Then candidate Barack Obama, carried Aliso Viejo in 2008.  Some on the left held the opinion that this meant Aliso Viejo was up for grabs politically.  However, Obama's strength at the top of the ticket didn't impact down ticket races.  He lacked coatails. 

Those Republican and decline to state voters that voted for Obama were voting against McCain more than they were voting for Obama.  Down ticket Democratic candidates didn't fare any better than they would have in any other election.

I don't expect a Romney candidacy to have any special impact on local down ticket partisan races.  Aliso Viejo has a majority Republican electorate which means Democratic candidates have little hope in elections where political affiliation is known. 

However, Romney's candidacy means we might just have one or two new local elected officials that root for the Cougars when they play the Utes.