GOP Heroes

There are many famous or notable Republicans that are known for making important contributions both to the nation and to the party itself. They are considered to be heroes of the Grand Old Party (GOP).

One such hero is the renowned Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln was a firm supporter of and one of the founders of the original Republican Party, dating back to a speech he gave in 1954 which spoke out against the expansion of slavery. Lincoln, of course, later went on to become one of the nation's most famous and most influential candidates.

Jack Kemp is another Republican hero. Though many remember him only for being a member of the Buffalo Bills and playing in AFL championships, Kemp served nine terms in the United States House of Representatives. He was a key player in the Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981 and spoke out for years on economics and trade. He would later serve as the secretary of Housing and Urban Development and be the Republican Party's vice presidential nominee for 1996.

Iconic Mary Louise Smith was the first woman to chair the Republican National Committee, which she did from 1974 to 1977. Smith organized a presidential nominating convention and continued her work until retiring in 1984. Sadly, Smith passed away due to cancer in 1997, but she is still fondly remembered as Republican hero for her service, passion, and ambition

Barry Goldwater is a Republican hero who is best known for having served in the United States Senate from 1953 to 1987. He made great efforts on behalf of conservatism, landing him the nickname of "Mr. Conservative." Many feel that Goldwater was responsible for turning the Republican Party into the strong, national, well known, and respected party that it is today. He advocated for liberty, the constitution, and for personal integrity at all times.

No matter what one's opinion or on the Republican party, these fine individuals need to be admired for their contributions to society and for standing up for their beliefs.