Access
Use
Acquisition Information
Preferred Citation
Historical Note
Scope and Content of Collection
Related Materials
Title:
Citizens
for
Reagan
records
Date (inclusive): 1975-1986
Collection Number: 81141
Contributing Institution: Hoover Institution Library and Archives
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
109 manuscript boxes, 15 cubic foot boxes, 9 oversize boxes, audiovisual materials
(125.0 Linear Feet)
Abstract: Correspondence, position papers, press releases, memoranda, public opinion polling data, financial records, sound recordings,
and video tapes relating to the campaign of Ronald Reagan for the Republican Party presidential nomination in 1976. Includes
a few post-1976 records of Citizens for the Republic, the successor organization to
Citizens
for
Reagan
.
Creator:
Citizens
for
Reagan
Creator:
Citizens for the Republic
Physical Location: Hoover Institution Library & Archives
Access
Boxes 2-3 and 110-111 closed. The remainder of the collection is open for research; materials must be requested in advance
via our reservation system. If there are audiovisual or digital media material in the collection, they must be reformatted
before providing access.
Use
For copyright status, please contact the Hoover Institution Library & Archives.
Acquisition Information
Acquired by the Hoover Institution Library & Archives in 1981.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item],
Citizens
for
Reagan
records, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives.
Historical Note
The
Citizens
for
Reagan
organization originated from a strong belief of some of his supporters that Ronald Reagan should be persuaded to run for
the Republican nomination for president in 1976, becoming Reagan's official campaign committee for the 1976 election. A committee
was formed for that purpose with Senator Paul Laxalt, former governor of Nevada, as its chairman. The goal of this committee
was to set up an organization to lead an effective political campaign and raise money needed to conduct a successful campaign
in the event of the announcement of Ronald Reagan's candidacy for the president of the United States.
In addition to Paul Laxalt, other prominent members of the Republican Party decided to signify their support of Ronald Reagan's
candidacy. John P. Sears, a Washington attorney, was chosen to serve as the executive vice-chairman. Other office holders
included Jack Courtimanche of Los Angeles, in charge of financial operations; Loren Smith as legal counsel; Jeffrey Bell as
head of research; Henry M. Buchanan as treasurer; and David Keene as the southern states coordinator. Other prominent members
were former governor of Kentucky Louis B. Nunn; former California Republican National Committeewoman Mrs. Stanlope C. Ring;
retired congressman H. R. Gross of Iowa; and Nebraska insurance executive George Cook. Jim Lake, David Keene, and Lyn Nofziger
represented political staff.
All activities were carried out on a state-by-state basis using a detailed list of state-level coordinators, members, and
addresses. Although the 1976 presidential election results did not fulfill Ronald Reagan's political ambition, the operating
procedures and organizational structure used in the
Citizens
for
Reagan
operations of 1975-1976 successfully supported his later political ambitions.
Scope and Content of Collection
The
Citizens
for
Reagan
records document the process leading up to Ronald Reagan's bid for the Republican Party presidential nomination in 1976,
which he lost to Gerald Ford at the convention. The materials include correspondence, position papers, press releases, memoranda,
public opinion polling data, financial records, sound recordings, and video tapes. They reveal elaborate planning, organization,
publicity, preparation, and advertisement required to launch a political campaign. The papers are arranged in their original
order, with the original folder titles and organizational system devised by the
Citizens
for
Reagan
office staff.
Related Materials
Richard Wirthlin papers, Hoover Institution Library & Archives
Peter Hannaford papers, Hoover Institution Library & Archives
Ronald Reagan subject collection, Hoover Institution Library & Archives
Lyn Nofziger papers, Hoover Institution Library & Archives
Edwin Meese papers, Hoover Institution Library & Archives
To see a complete listing of all related collections, please go to Stanford University's online catalog at https://searchworks.stanford.edu, enter the search term "Reagan, Ronald," and then limit the results to the Hoover Library or the Hoover Archives.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Audiotapes
Video tapes
Sound recordings
Presidents -- United States -- Election -- 1976
Reagan, Ronald
Republican Party (U.S. : 1854- )