Mormon Primary, Part 2: Arizona Senate race may offer intriguing battle between 2 LDS from same ward

When rumors first began that two prominent members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints would be contending for the Republican presidential nomination, journalists dubbed the race "The Mormon primary: Mitt Romney vs. Jon Huntsman."

Now according to The Daily Beast's Mckay Coppins there is a second "Mormon primary" heating up under the Arizona sun; and this one comes with an added twist: both Rep. Jeff Flake and challenger Will Cardon come from the same LDS congregation, and their families have a long-standing friendship, the piece said.

"You'd have to be living in la-la land to think it's not creating conflict in the community," said Mesa Mormon John Perkinson, a close friend with both families according to the piece. Another anonymous resident told Coppins, "The whole thing is like a giant Mormon Jerry Springer show."

Yet, both candidates are claiming that any "Mormon" Hatfield-McCoy or Capulet-Montague scenario is fiction. "I think Jeff and I are both quality gentlemen who will keep it to the issues," said Cardon, according to Politico.

"Wil's a friend and has been a longtime supporter," Sen. Flake added, according to the Beast piece. "I'm looking forward to a healthy debate about the future of our country."

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