Republican Party presidential primaries, 1976 facts for kids
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Shading indicates level of support; darker colors signify a win by 60% or more, lighter colors show a plurality or bare majority.
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The 1976 Republican presidential primaries were important elections. They helped the Republican Party choose its candidate for President of the United States in the 1976 U.S. presidential election.
During these primaries, voters in each state helped decide who their party wanted for president. This process included both primary elections and special meetings called caucuses.
Contents
Choosing a Candidate
In 1976, the main goal was to pick the best person to represent the Republican Party. The person chosen would then run against candidates from other parties. This was a big decision for the party.
The Main Contenders
The two main candidates for the Republican nomination were well-known figures. One was the current president, Gerald Ford. He had become president after Richard Nixon resigned.
The other strong candidate was Ronald Reagan. He was a popular former governor from California. Many people knew him from his time in Hollywood as an actor.
A Close Race
The competition between President Ford and Ronald Reagan was very close. They both traveled across the country. They tried to convince voters and party members to support them. Each candidate had different ideas about how to lead the country.
President Ford wanted to continue his work as president. Ronald Reagan offered a more conservative approach. This meant he wanted the government to have less control over people's lives and businesses.
The National Convention
After all the primaries and caucuses, the party held a big meeting. This meeting was called the 1976 Republican National Convention. It took place from August 16 to August 19, 1976. The convention was held in Kansas City, Missouri.
At the convention, delegates from each state officially voted for their chosen candidate. Even though it was a close race, President Gerald Ford won the nomination. He became the Republican Party's official candidate for president.
This 1976 primary election was special. It was the first time the Republican Party held primaries in every single state. This made the selection process more open to voters across the country.
Images for kids
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Former Governor Ronald Reagan of California
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Former Vice President Spiro Agnew of Maryland
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Senator Edward Brooke of Massachusetts
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Senator James Buckley of New York
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Former Governor and Secretary of Treasury John Connally of Texas
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Senator Charles Percy of Illinois
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Former Governor Harold E. Stassen of Minnesota
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President Ford's snub of Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn drew criticism from conservative Cold War hawks, including Ronald Reagan
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Partial county results.
