Mitt Romney, Mormonism, and the 2012 Election

This book seeks to address the question of how we should understand the impact of Mitt Romney's faith in the 2012 election. As the first Mormon to earn a presidential nomination from a major party, the book provides a comprehensive study of Romney's historic candidacy.

The book will be written in such a fashion that it can be mass marketed to a general audience and specifically marketed to scholars and students in politics, religion and presidential elections. My goal is for the book to be both scholarly rigorous and readable. The book can be used as a central text in courses on politics and religion, campaigns, and elections, in undergraduate courses and graduate courses.The book will break new ground in the field of American politics and religion, which has little to no scholarship on Mormons. My research has been presented at general conferences in Political Science and conferences devoted to the 2012 election. Moving forward, I will seek to connect with the Mormon studies community as well, who predominately consist of historians and religious scholars. These folks tend to focus on key figures, events, and components of Mormon theology. Romney and the 2012 election is an important chapter in the political history of Mormons and will likely be of great interest.This dynamic creates a unique and interdisciplinary academic market in a larger public environment that has never been as curious and interested in learning about Mormons. Over the past two years, most casual discussions in professional circles, and many in social circles, have turned at some point to inquire about my research. I envision this publication having mass appeal to the national news media as well, which were noticeably lacking this election cycle in analysts of Mormons and politics. I am interested in actively promoting the book as someone who finds the content tirelessly interesting, impactful, and previously ignored.

1. Introducing the 2012 Presidential Election 2. Basic Elements of Mormonism 3. Born in the U.S.A. 4. The Mormon Moment 5. The Rise of Romney 6. Prophets and Presidents 7. L.D.S. Political Advocacy 8. Who Won and Why 9. Forward