The Republican Party, often called the GOP or Grand Old Party, has been in existence since its first convention on July 6, 1854, in Jackson, Mich. Created in response to the anti-slavery concerns of the Conscience Whigs and Anti-Nebraska Democrats and the free land desires of the Free Soil Party, the Republican Party served to unify these previously divided forces. More than 140 years later, the Republicans have developed into a major national party which shares dominance of American politics.

The Republican Party of 1854 came onto the political scene armed with an agenda that focused on the prevention of the spread of slavery, women's suffrage and individual rights. Over the years the issues on the Republican agenda have changed according to the times; however, they have always rested on the ideals of limited government, reduced bureaucracy and increased power in the hands of the states. The most recent Republican agenda was conservative both fiscally and socially. It championed the rights of the unborn, opposed gun control, supported a balanced budget amendment and lower taxes, and called for a return to family values.

The first Republican presidential candidate was John Fremont in 1856, who received a third of the vote despite his status as a third-party candidate. In 1860 Abraham Lincoln became the first Republican to win the presidency, and signified the entrance of the Republican Party into the two-party political system. Since that election the Republicans have remained one of two major national parties dominating American politics. In the 100 years following Lincoln's election a Republican has been president 60 of those years.

Currently there is a Republican majority in both houses of Congress. In the House of Representatives, 227 members are Republicans and in the Senate, 55. The GOP gained control in the 1994 mid-term election for the first time in 40 years and retained its majority in the 1996 election. The Republican Party is already positioning itself to keep its hold on Congress in 1998 and take back the presidency in the 2000 election.

Republican Party

Address:
Republican National Committee
310 First Street, S.E.
Washington, DC 20003

Phone:
(202) 863-8500

Fax:
(202) 863-8820

E-mail:
info@rnc.org

Web Site:
http://www.rnc.org

Links:
House Republican Conference
Senate Republican Conference
National Republican Congressional Committee
Empower America
Media Research Center