John Milan Ashbrook (September 21, 1928 – April 24, 1982) was an American politician and newspaper publisher. A member of the Republican Party, he served in the United States House of Representatives from Ohio from 1961 until his death.[1] Ashbrook was associated with the New Right. He ran against President Richard Nixon in the 1972 Republican Party presidential primaries, attempting to appeal to voters who believed Nixon was insufficiently conservative, but he failed to win any statewide contests. At the time of his death, he was running for U.S. Senate in Ohio in the 1982 election.
John M. Ashbrook | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Ohio's 17th district | |
| In office January 3, 1961 – April 24, 1982 | |
| Preceded by | Robert W. Levering |
| Succeeded by | Jean Spencer Ashbrook |
| Member of the Ohio House of Representatives | |
| In office 1957–1961 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | John Milan Ashbrook September 21, 1928 Johnstown, Ohio, U.S. |
| Died | April 24, 1982 (aged 53) Newark, Ohio, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouses | |
| Children | 3 |
| Parents |
|
| Education | Harvard University Ohio State University |
Early life
editJohn Milan Ashbrook was born on September 21, 1928, in Johnstown, Ohio to William A. Ashbrook, a newspaper editor, businessman, and U.S. representative, and Marie Swank. Ashbrook graduated from Harvard University in 1952 and later from Ohio State University's law school in 1955. In 1953, Ashbrook became the publisher of his father's newspaper, the Johnstown Independent.[2] On July 3, 1948, he married Joan Needles and later had three children with her before they divorced in 1971. In 1974, he remarried to Jean Spencer.[3]
Career
editHe was elected to the Ohio House of Representatives in 1956, and served two terms. In 1960, the seat that his father had once held in the House of Representatives was vacated and Ashbrook ran for and won it.
1964 presidential election
editWith William Rusher and F. Clifton White, associates from the Young Republicans in the 1950s, Ashbrook was involved in the start-up of the Draft Goldwater Committee in 1961.[4]
In 1966, journalist Drew Pearson reported that Ashbrook was one of a group of four Congressmen who had received the "Statesman of the Republic" award from Liberty Lobby for their "right-wing activities".[5]
1972 presidential election
editDespite having supported Richard Nixon during the 1968 presidential election Ashbrook turned against him during his presidency. On December 29, 1971 he announced that he would oppose Nixon in the Republican primaries as an alternative conservative candidate and received support from conservative figures like William F. Buckley Jr.[6][7][8][9] His slogan "No Left Turns" was illustrated by a mock traffic symbol of a left-turn arrow with a superimposed No symbol. It was meant to symbolize the frustration of some conservatives with Nixon, whom they saw as having abandoned conservative principles and "turned left" on issues such as budget deficits, affirmative action, the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency, wage and price controls, and most of all, improving relations with the Soviet Union and the People's Republic of China with his policy of détente.
Ashbrook competed in the New Hampshire (9.8% of the vote), Florida (9%), and California (10%) primaries. He withdrew from the race after the California primary and "with great reluctance" supported Nixon. His campaign, although of minimal immediate impact, is remembered fondly by conservatives who admire Ashbrook for having stood for their principles. Ashbrook said in criticism of the Nixon administration, "I still believe it in the best American tradition to speak out even when it is in criticism of your party's actions."[10]
When Nixon became mired in the Watergate scandal, Ashbrook became the first House Republican to call for the President's resignation.[11]
Death
editIn 1982, Ashbrook ran for U.S. Senate, seeking to challenge Democratic incumbent Howard Metzenbaum. Polling showed that he was the frontrunner in the Republican primary.[12] However, on April 24, 1982, he suffered a gastric hemorrhage at the offices of The Johnstown Independent, and died at Licking Memorial Hospital in Newark, Ohio, aged 53.[13][14] President Ronald Reagan memorialized him, saying: "John Ashbrook was a man of courage and principle. He served his constituents and his country with dedication and devotion, always working towards the betterment of his fellow man. His patriotism and deep belief in the greatness of America never wavered and his articulate and passionate calls for a return to old-fashioned American values earned him the respect of all who knew him."[1]
Ashbrook's widow, Jean Spencer Ashbrook, was chosen in a special election to serve the remaining seven months of his congressional term.[15]
Ashbrook Center
editThe Ashbrook Center for Public Affairs at Ashland University was named for Ashbrook in 1983.[16] A periodic John M. Ashbrook Memorial Dinner at the center features leading conservative speakers from President Ronald Reagan (first dinner; dedication of the Center, in 1983)[17] and Margaret Thatcher (1993) to Mitt Romney (April 2010) and John Boehner (June 2011).[18]
Electoral history
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | John M. Ashbrook | 79,609 | 53.05% | +4.73% | |
| Democratic | Robert W. Levering (incumbent) | 70,470 | 46.96% | −4.73% | |
| Total votes | 150,079 | 100.00% | |||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | John M. Ashbrook (incumbent) | 69,976 | 58.61% | +5.56% | |
| Democratic | Robert W. Levering | 49,415 | 41.39% | −5.56% | |
| Total votes | 119,391 | 100.00% | |||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | John M. Ashbrook (incumbent) | 75,674 | 51.49% | −7.12% | |
| Democratic | Robert W. Levering | 71,291 | 48.51% | +7.12% | |
| Total votes | 119,391 | 100.00% | |||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | John M. Ashbrook (incumbent) | 73,132 | 55.34% | +3.85% | |
| Democratic | Robert T. Secrest (incumbent) | 59,031 | 44.67% | −3.85% | |
| Total votes | 132,163 | 100.00% | |||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | John M. Ashbrook (incumbent) | 100,148 | 64.92% | +9.58% | |
| Democratic | Robert W. Levering | 54,127 | 35.09% | −9.58% | |
| Total votes | 154,275 | 100.00% | |||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | John M. Ashbrook (incumbent) | 79,472 | 62.19% | −2.73% | |
| Democratic | James C. Hood | 44,066 | 34.48% | −0.61% | |
| American Independent | Clifford J. Simpson | 4,253 | 3.33% | +3.33% | |
| Total votes | 127,791 | 100.00% | |||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | John M. Ashbrook (incumbent) | 28,582 | 75.32% | ||
| Republican | William L. White | 9,366 | 24.68% | ||
| Total votes | 37,948 | 100.00% | |||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | John M. Ashbrook (incumbent) | 92,666 | 57.36% | −4.83% | |
| Democratic | Raymond C. Beck | 62,512 | 38.69% | +4.21% | |
| American Independent | Clifford J. Simpson | 6,376 | 3.95% | +0.62% | |
| Total votes | 161,554 | 100.00% | |||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | John M. Ashbrook (incumbent) | 22,845 | 70.72% | −4.60% | |
| Republican | David L. Martin | 9,458 | 29.28% | ||
| Total votes | 32,303 | 100.00% | |||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | John M. Ashbrook (incumbent) | 70,708 | 52.75% | −4.61% | |
| Democratic | David D. Noble | 63,342 | 47.25% | +8.56% | |
| Independent | Clifford J. Simpson | 3 | 0.00% | −3.95% | |
| Total votes | 134,053 | 100.00% | |||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | John M. Ashbrook (incumbent) | 35,836 | 83.03% | +12.31% | |
| Republican | Donald C. Wickham | 7,326 | 16.97% | ||
| Total votes | 43,162 | 100.00% | |||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | John M. Ashbrook (incumbent) | 94,874 | 56.80% | +4.05% | |
| Democratic | John C. McDonald | 72,168 | 43.20% | −4.05% | |
| Total votes | 167,042 | 100.00% | |||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | John M. Ashbrook (incumbent) | 87,010 | 67.38% | +10.58% | |
| Democratic | Kenneth R. Grier | 42,117 | 32.62% | −10.58% | |
| Total votes | 129,127 | 100.00% | |||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | John M. Ashbrook (incumbent) | 128,870 | 72.90% | +5.52% | |
| Democratic | Donald E. Yunker | 47,900 | 27.10% | −5.52% | |
| Total votes | 176,770 | 100.00% | |||
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "John M. Ashbrook", Ashbrook Center biography. The Reagan quote came from "a statement released upon learning of the passing of John Ashbrook"; On Principle, Special Edition, 15th Anniversary of the Ashbrook Center (c. 1998), p. 15.
- ^ Schramm, Peter W. (2000). "Ashbrook, John Milan (1928-1982), congressman". American National Biography. doi:10.1093/anb/9780198606697.article.0700572. ISBN 978-0-19-860669-7. Retrieved October 26, 2021.
- ^ "John M. Ashbrook, represented Ohio in U.S. House since 1961". The Philadelphia Inquirer. April 25, 1982. p. 50. Archived from the original on December 21, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Buckeye Republicans Work Together When Chips Down". Telegraph-Forum. July 20, 1964. p. 8. Archived from the original on December 21, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Pearson, Drew (November 2, 1966). "Judge Rules Against Liberty Lobby". The Free Lance-Star. Fredericksburg, Virginia. p. 6. Retrieved December 14, 2014.
- ^ "Another Challenger to Nixon will enter primary battles". The Herald-News. December 29, 1971. p. 13. Archived from the original on January 18, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Ashbrook". Tampa Bay Times. February 27, 1972. p. 61. Archived from the original on December 21, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Nixon Trip Brings Thunder on the Right". Philadelphia Daily News. March 1, 1972. p. 4. Archived from the original on December 21, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Gillian Peele, 'American Conservatism in Historical Perspective', in Crisis of Conservatism? The Republican Party, the Conservative Movement, & American Politics After Bush, Gillian Peele, Joel D. Aberbach (eds.), Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2011, p. 25
- ^ "Ashbrook, John M(ilan)." Current Biography 1973. The H. W. Wilson Company. 1973.P.20.
- ^ "A Remembrance of John M. Ashbrook". Ashbrook. Retrieved January 7, 2019.
- ^ "Ashbrook biography". The Newark Advocate. April 26, 1982. p. 1. Archived from the original on December 21, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Ashbrook death triggers wave of shock, mourning". The Newark Advocate. April 26, 1982. p. 1. Archived from the original on December 21, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Blair, William G. (April 25, 1982). "Rep. John M. Ashbrook of Ohio Dies at Age of 53". The New York Times. p. 44. Retrieved May 10, 2022.
- ^ "ASHBROOK, Jean Spencer | US House of Representatives: History, Art & Archives". history.house.gov. Retrieved January 7, 2019.
- ^ "Ashland College sets memorial to Ashbrook; Reagan may attend fete". Telegraph-Forum. April 6, 1983. p. 2. Archived from the original on December 21, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "About the Ashbrook Center", website of the Ashbrook Center at Ashland University. Retrieved April 19, 2011.
- ^ "John M. Ashbrook Memorial Dinner", website of the Ashbrook Center at Ashland University. Retrieved July 20, 2011.