Oddly enough, one of the most unexpected candidates to jump into the CD 5 Republican primary, has done so. State Representative Mark Anderson, perhaps one of the most civil and nicest guys in the legislature, has decided to enter the CD 5 contest.

Personally, this blogger really likes Mark Anderson and has worked with him on social issue legislation. But, I expect him to have a very difficult time overcoming his religious association as a Moonie.

The Phoenix Business Journal made a point in bringing this up in the thrid paragraph of their story on Wednesday, “Anderson is a Realtor and a member of the Rev. Sun Myung Moon’s Unification Church. If elected, he would be the only member of Congress to be part of the Unification Church.”

Unfortunate for Rep. Anderson, this will work against him in a district that tends to elect social libertarians and steers clear of overtly-defined religious candidates. Case in point, Colette Rosati, who lost in a bitter Republican primary against Carolyn Allen in 2006. (The Rosati – Allen race took place in a legislative district that is a subset of the greater CD 5.). Those Republican voters in CD 5 will tend to make their electoral decisions along mainstream religious ties rather than on the periphery of American religions practices.

While Representative Mark Anderson a great guy and has served his district well for many years, this race will unfortunately be beyond is grasp and ability to overcome voter perceptions.