[5] After the American Civil War black Republicans mainly joined the Union League organized by Daniel Richards and William U. Saunders.

[8][9] They submitted their proposed constitution to George Meade and held a nomination convention that selected a gubernatorial ticket of Billings and Saunders and Jonathan Clarkson Gibbs for Florida's at-large congressional district.

However, Reed's faction, claiming that the Radicals did not have a quorum, held another meeting and received support from Meade, who later approved their constitution.

After Richard Nixon's victory in 1968, the state only voted Democratic in presidential elections in 1976 (Jimmy Carter) 1996 (Bill Clinton), 2008 and 2012 (Barack Obama).

The 2000 presidential election was decided by a margin of 537 votes out of approximately 6 million cast, giving George W. Bush the presidency over Al Gore.

Richard Nixon's Southern Strategy, which took advantage of objections to the advances of the American Civil Rights Movement.

The chairman of the RNC is chosen by the President when the Republicans have the White House and otherwise by the Party's state committees.

The RNC, under the direction of the party's presidential candidate, supervises the Republican National Convention, raises funds, and coordinates campaign strategy.

They each raise over $100 million per election cycle, and play important roles in recruiting strong state candidates.

The Republican Governors Association (RGA) is a discussion group that seldom funds state races.

[citation needed] Socially conservative Republicans support voluntary organized prayer in public schools and the inclusion of teaching creationism or intelligent design alongside evolution.

A political cartoon by Thomas Nast, published in Harper's Weekly on November 7, 1874, is considered the first important use of the symbol.

[14] In the early 20th century, the usual symbol of the Republican Party in Midwestern states such as Indiana and Ohio was the eagle, as opposed to the Democratic rooster.