SANCHEZ VS. DORNAN: Play Up Catholic, Latino Ties

      In the race for the state's 46th congressional district, both candidates "have embraced religion in their antagonistic congressional campaigns as each tries to persuade voters they are the better Catholic." Incumbent Loretta Sanchez (D) is vocally pro-choice while Republican challenger Robert Dornan is running on a pro-life platform. The AP/Bakersfield Californian reports there is "good reason to make religion an issue" in the race, namely that the "largely Hispanic Catholic" district is the "most Catholic district in Orange County." Rev. Allan Deck of the Loyola Institute for Spirituality said, "Both of them are trying to get leverage from their Catholic backgrounds. Both of them are inconsistent in their support of Catholic policy." And Claremont McKenna political science professor Jack Pitney said, "Certainly, Catholicism plays a much higher role with Dornan than with Sanchez. Dornan's (Catholic) message is going to move some votes -- not many -- but it could make a difference if it's a close race." He also said that "many Latinos identify more with the Latina candidate than the non-Latino candidate." The AP/Bakersfield Californian reports that Dornan has billed himself as the true Latino candidate -- "en mi corazon (in my heart)," and has adopted a "Family -- Faith -- Freedom" slogan for his campaign. In addition, his campaign is dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe, "the patron saint of the Americans who has been adopted by abortion opponents." However, the paper notes, the "district's large Hispanic Catholic voting bloc" doesn't necessarily translate into widespread support of pro-life interests. According to a Chapman University poll conducted last month, 55% of the district voters are pro-choice (10/27).