MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa — Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney said yesterday he’ll probably deliver a speech explaining the role his Mormon faith plays in his political life, but he argued he’s made strong gains among evangelicals despite questions about his religion.

“I have thought about that,” Mr. Romney said in an interview with the Associated Press. “I haven’t made a final decision, but it’s probably more likely than not.”

During an appearance on the campaign trail earlier in the day, Mr. Romney was asked about his views on appointing a “God-fearing Mormon” to the Supreme Court. Mr. Romney has been asked about such matters frequently in question-and-answer sessions he holds almost daily.

“I’d go after people who will follow the law and I wouldn’t apply a religious test either,” Mr. Romney said. In the interview, Mr. Romney acknowledged the issue crops up often enough that he’s pondering dealing with it in a comprehensive manner. “It’s probably too early for something like that,” Mr. Romney said. “At some point it’s more likely than not, but we’ll see how things develop.”

There is precedent for such a step. When President Kennedy sought the presidency in 1960, there was a whispering campaign about his Catholicism, and he largely put the issue to rest by going to Texas to deliver a speech about the role that religion played in his life.