What is the truth about Gilbert's political leaning? (Phoenix, Mesa: transplants, renting)

[dsmovingfromaustin]

Originally Posted by Jkgourmet

Where on earth did you get the information that Gilbert is predominately LDSi?

Wikipedia states that less than 13% of the population of Gilbert are Mormons.

Wikipedia stated that 17 % of the population is Catholic. It also stated that Mormons are the second highest religious group in Gilbert at 12.6% exceeding Protestant Christians 11.12%. The article also mentioned Gilbert is known for its high Mormon population, a fact evidenced by the LDS church's recent announcement to construct a temple, a rarity among the Church.

[_Charles_]

Take a look at the terrific stats available on city-data here. Shows 43% Catholic, 38% Other, 13% Mormon, 6% Southern Baptist.

Terrific? What makes them scary?
LOL I know the history of Gilbert. There is no need to get defensive.

[dsmovingfromaustin]

Originally Posted by Jkgourmet

While I don't agree that you absolutely would feel uncomfortable in Gilbert, I sense that YOU feel that you would. You might want to consider Scottsdale and Tempe, and possibly Chandler.

Thank you, I appreciate the polite response. I will also look at Scottsdale and Tempe. I understand the majority of Gilbert residents are not Mormon but I do think it's significant how nearly all of Gilbert's political leaders are Mormon, a fact which can't be ignored. I'm not comfortable with the idea of one conservative religious group dictating the politics of one community. We plan on settling in Arizona permanently and if my family should want a say in local politics, I wouldn't want that opportunity denied them because they don't share the same conservative views or do not belong to a particular church. I'm not saying that's how others should think. It seems like a very a clean and nice community so to those who live there and are happy, I am also very happy for you.

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by dsmovingfromaustin

Thank you, I appreciate the polite response. I will also look at Scottsdale and Tempe. I understand the majority of Gilbert residents are not Mormon but I do think it's significant how nearly all of Gilbert's political leaders are Mormon, a fact which can't be ignored. I'm not comfortable with the idea of one conservative religious group dictating the politics of one community. We plan on settling in Arizona permanently and if my family should want a say in local politics, I wouldn't want that opportunity denied them because they don't share the same conservative views or do not belong to a particular church. I'm not saying that's how others should think. It seems like a very a clean and nice community so to those who live there and are happy, I am also very happy for you.

Mormons pioneered the Salt River valley (Phx area). The street names you see in the east Valley are the names of those early Mormon settlers: Stapely, Crismon etc. LDS church members have a very large influence on politics, the econony and life in this state even though they are no longer make up a large percentage of the population. This is especially the case in Gilbert and Mesa and places like Springerville and Safford, but their influence is evident at all levels in the state. If that bothers you, you better look elsewhere - outside the mountain west.

[observer53]

Originally Posted by dsmovingfromaustin

Wikipedia stated that 17 % of the population is Catholic. It also stated that Mormons are the second highest religious group in Gilbert at 12.6% exceeding Protestant Christians 11.12%. The article also mentioned Gilbert is known for its high Mormon population, a fact evidenced by the LDS church's recent announcement to construct a temple, a rarity among the Church.

They are getting ready to build one on the far NORTHWEST side, which is hardly the same demographic as people think Gilbert is. If they are building one in Gilbert, then it seems a logical location, together with the far northwest one on the opposite side of the Valley. (building two at the same time in the same metro area makes them a lot less rare, too)

Adding up those percentages (and assuming Wikipedia is accurate, which I never automatically do) all three of your named groups must be outnumbered in Gilbert by people who claim no religious affiliation at all.

[Captain Bill]

Gilbert is a family oriented community; one of the safest cities in the U.S. (actually Gilbert is still a Town) with great and very responsive Police Dept, Fire Dept, and schools.

I'm not Mormon, and don't get involved in political discussions, and I don't get into religious discussions with my Mormon friends, all of whom are great people.

However, I am very happy living in a town like Gilbert that is family oriented with good schools, and very safe. Kids, no matter what religion, are not all saints, and occasionally we see some graffiti somewhere, but it gets cleaned up immediately. I've never heard of any gangs forming in Gilbert.

Perhaps there are more Mormons who attend church than other religions. That may account for the number of wards.

Yes there is going to be a temple in Gilbert, probably similar to the one in Mesa and the one in discussion for the west valley.

If one wants a great place to have their family grow up, this is an excellent choice.

If one is more concerned about liberal leanings, then Arizona, and especially Gilbert may not be the location of choice. Perhaps Berkeley or San Francisco would be a better match. That statement is not meant to degrade either city. I lived near Berkeley for a very long time and enjoy that city. One of my grandsons will be going to UC Berkeley next year. And I especially enjoy San Francisco. In fact San Francisco is one of my favorite cities.

[dura]

Road name histories => Driving Chandler's Streets (http://www.cgc.maricopa.edu/academic-affairs/library/communityhistory/Old%20Community%20History/Chandler%20Streets/dobson.html - broken link) (might be interesting for history buffs).

OP, if you are looking for more left leaning areas, check out this map as sort of a guide. The lighter areas tend to be left of the darker areas, but of course AZ as a whole leans right. There are other such maps around but couldn't seem to find them. Maybe someone else knows links to more such maps.

[pbenjamin]

If you want a place with more liberal political leanings, move to central Phoenix. All of our representatives here (US House, state legislature, county supervisor) are liberal Democrats.

[Bondurant]

Originally Posted by pbenjamin

If you want a place with more liberal political leanings, move to central Phoenix. All of our representatives here (US House, state legislature, county supervisor) are liberal Democrats.

Ah, and I plan on moving to central Phoenix to help change that.

Sort of kidding.

[Foreverking]

While I did live in Austin, I didnt live there long, but for a town of liberals, so called anyway, I felt extremely out of place. I am a liberal, a liberal that lived in Portland and Seattle for quite some time. I thought that Austin was very right winged. That said, I would rather live with a town full of nice Mormon people that the self righous Southern baptist of Central Texas. I dont have any religious beliefs. Unlike Texas, where I was asked what church I attended at a job interview, no one has ever discussed there religion or conservative views with me in Gilbert. I like the neat clean community, the nice schools, the cute down town (which has a killer breakfast place we just discovered the other day), the bike paths are spruced up in compassion to Mesa, or Chandler. There are nice community parks, nature preserves (next to a fantastic library).