Andrew Jackson Stevens, the first Republican National Committeeman for Iowa

Grand Old Partisan celebrates more than seventeen decades of Republican heroes and heroics. Today, I honor Andrew Jackson Stevens, co-founder of the Iowa GOP. He studied law in New York under supervision of William Seward. The ambitious Whig relocated to Des Moines in 1847 and taught school.

Prospering as railroad and banking entrepreneur, Stevens served on a committee that named the counties. He was elected state auditor in 1854. His anti-slavery Iowa Citizen newspaper gave way to the Commonwealth newspaper for young Republicans.

February 1856, Stevens attended the GOP's nationwide organizational meeting and was named national committeeman. He signed the call for the 1856 Republican National Convention and attended it as delegate.

That year, Stevens financed a scientific expedition to Ecuador — yes, Ecuador. After brief service in the Union army, he was appointed consul in Italy. Later years found him in Nebraska and California. He died on June 15th 1898.

Back to Basics for the Republican Party is my civil rights history of the GOP. To quote the book: "The more we Republicans know about the history of our party, the more Democrats will worry about the future of theirs. For more information, see www.grandoldpartisan.com. 

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Michael Zak is author of Back to Basics for the Republican Party, a history of GOP civil rights achievement.


Each day, his YouTube videos and TikTok videos and Rumble videos and Grand Old Partisan blog celebrate more than seventeen decades of Republican heroes and heroics. And, see Speech Raves for audience feedback from his presentations in thirty-one states.

Clarence Thomas cited Back to Basics for the Republican Party in a Supreme Court decision.

"This is the most amazing book about politics that I have ever read. The Overview should be required reading for anyone with even a minor interest in government. The remainder is an enthralling history lesson that I will never forget. For years, we have all been misled about the true nature of the GOP. This is the real deal! Read it and be proud!"

"Your book is a national treasure. I'm always recommending it."

"Michael Zak wrote the definitive history of the GOP."

"Back to Basics for the Republican Party is the most significant contribution to the Republican Party in the last twenty years apart from Ronald Reagan."

"Back to Basics for the Republican Party is more important to our party now than ever before."

and

"one of the best books I ever read"

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