The latest polling by the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press shows that support for GOP presidential candidates varies slightly by religious affiliation.
Mitt Romney maintains a substantial lead nationally for the GOP presidential nomination, according to the survey taken Jan. 11-16. Pew analysts say Romney, a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is the preferred nominee of 31 percent of Republican and Republican-leaning voters.
While about 36 percent of white mainline Protestant voters support Romney, only about 30 percent of white evangelical voters prefer him and 27 percent of white Catholics.
Newt Gingrich, a convert to Catholicism, garners 16 percent overall. The Pew poll shows he is the preferred nominee of 23 percent of white Catholics, 16 percent of white evangelical voters and 14 percent of white mainline Protestants.
Rick Santorum, also Catholic, has 14 percent support overall. He is preferred by 22 percent of white evangelical Protestants, 12 percent of white Catholics and 9 percent of white mainline Protestants.
Electa Draper: 303-954-1276 or edraper@denverpost.com
