As Mormons support Romney, he supports their businesses as well

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa — Mitt Romney has benefited from the financial support of his fellow Mormons as he runs for president, and he hasn't shied from returning the favor as he conducts the business of his campaign.

When it comes to hotels, the Republican presidential contender has shown a preference for Marriotts. The chain's founder was J. Willard Marriott, a fellow member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He also was the namesake for Romney, whose given first name is Willard.

Romney frequented the Marriott in downtown Des Moines during his caucus campaign, and his staff and traveling press corps regularly stay in Marriott properties around the country.

When it came time for Romney to fly to New Hampshire from Iowa following the caucuses, his staff decided to charter a JetBlue aircraft. The airline was founded in 1999 by David Neeleman , another LDS member who now serves as the company's chairman.

Utah, where the church is seated and the majority of residents are Mormons, has been the state whose residents have been Romney's second-largest financial supporters, after California.

As of Sept. 30, the date of the most recently available campaign finance reports, Utahans donated $4.6 million to Romney's campaign. Some $6.65 million was given by Californians, a large share of the money coming from heavily Mormon Orange County.

Members of the Marriott family in Utah and the Washington suburbs contributed $22,800, while donors identified as Marriott employees contributed $88,000.

Members of the Neeleman family donated $14,700, including $4,200 from David Neeleman and his wife, Vickey. JetBlue employees contributed $6,300.