Our Republican Legacy is an organization established in 2024 by former U.S. Senators William Cohen (R-ME), John Danforth (R-MO), and Alan Simpson (R-WY) to be a digital rallying place for members of the Republican Party who are dissatisfied with what it calls the “new populist, radical version” of the Party that has arisen under former President Donald Trump. ¹

They claim to be seeking to reestablish Republican values based on the tenets of unity, the U.S. Constitution, fiscal responsibility, free markets, and peace through strength. ² Members of the group largely come from the Republican Party’s moderate wing, and some have served in Democratic presidential administrations. ³

Activities

Our Republican Legacy is an organization within the Republican Party that seeks to bring together Republicans who are concerned about the future of the United States, especially as it relates to retaining historic Republican principles. While recognizing that members of the organization will have differing opinions on specific issues, Our Republican Legacy seeks to bring together those Republicans who share a commitment to what it views as the Party’s fundamental, defining principles. ⁴

Our Republican Legacy claims that the traditional principles of the Republican Party are being tested from within the Republican Party. These traditional principles are meant to keep the U.S. together by supporting peaceful transfers of power, maintaining a sound economy, allowing for prosperity in the private sector without big government interventions, and keeping peace through strong national security. Our Republican Legacy claims that these historic principles are the best path forward for an American future of liberty, prosperity, and strength. ⁵

The founders of Our Republican Legacy state that the organization is not a political action committee, will not engage in lobbying, and will not tell people how to vote in the upcoming 2024 election or beyond. Instead, Our Republican Legacy will act as a hub for information, including news, commentaries, and strategic ideas for those in the Republican Party who are disheartened with the populist version of the Party created under former President Donald Trump. ⁶

Funding

Our Republican Legacy is funded by undisclosed donations. As of June 2024, Our Republican Legacy does not appear to be registered with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or the Federal Election Commission (FEC). ⁷

Founders

Our Republican Legacy was established by former U.S. Senators William Cohen (R-ME), who also served as Secretary of Defense during the Clinton Administration; John Danforth (R-MO), also a former Attorney General of Missouri; and Alan Simpson (R-WY), also the former co-chair of the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform. In an opinion piece published in the Washington Post on May 14, 2024, the founders cite the struggle in choosing how to vote in the 2024 presidential election between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump as the impetus for creating Our Republican Legacy to organize traditional Republicans. ⁸

People

Current members of Our Republican Legacy include former Vice President Dan Quayle; former Dallas Mayor Steve Bartlett (R); former Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-OH); Obama administration Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood; former Maryland Lieutenant Governor and Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele; former U.S. Senators Dan Evans (R-WA), Gordon Smith (R-OR), and Mel Martinez (R-FL); and former U.S. Representatives Charlie Bass (R-NH), Doug Bereuter (R-NE), Barbara Comstock (R-VA), Charlie Dent (R-PA), Tom Davis (R-VA), Bob Dold (R-IL), Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-NJ), John Katko (R-NY), Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), Jim Greenwood (R-PA), Susan Molinari (R-NY), Leonard Lance (R-NJ), David Trott (R-MI), Deborah Pryce (R-OH), Fred Upton (R-MI), Thomas E. Petri (R-WI), Jack Quinn (R-NY), Alan Steelman (R-TX), Christopher Shays (R-CT), Bill Paxon (R-NY), and Mimi Walters (R-CA). ⁹

1.  Danforth, John, Cohen, William and Simpson, Alan. “Opinion: Between Trump and Biden, what should real Republicans do?” The Washington Post, May 14, 2024. Accessed June 16, 2024. https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2024/05/14/trump-biden-choice-republicans/.
2. Danforth, John, Cohen, William and Simpson, Alan. “Opinion: Between Trump and Biden, what should real Republicans do?” The Washington Post, May 14, 2024. Accessed June 16, 2024. https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2024/05/14/trump-biden-choice-republicans/.
3. “Home.” Our Republican Legacy.” Accessed June 16, 2024. https://www.ourrepublicanlegacy.com/.
4. “About Us.” Our republican Legacy. Accessed June 16, 2024. https://www.ourrepublicanlegacy.com/about-us.
5. “About Us.” Our republican Legacy. Accessed June 16, 2024. https://www.ourrepublicanlegacy.com/about-us.
6.   Danforth, John, Cohen, William and Simpson, Alan. “Opinion: Between Trump and Biden, what should real Republicans do?” The Washington Post, May 14, 2024. Accessed June 16, 2024. https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2024/05/14/trump-biden-choice-republicans/.
7. “Contribute.” Our Republican Legacy. Accessed June 16, 2024. https://www.ourrepublicanlegacy.com/contribute
8. Danforth, John, Cohen, William and Simpson, Alan. “Opinion: Between Trump and Biden, what should real Republicans do?” The Washington Post, May 14, 2024. Accessed June 16, 2024. https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2024/05/14/trump-biden-choice-republicans/.
9. “Home.” Our Republican Legacy.” Accessed June 16, 2024. https://www.ourrepublicanlegacy.com/.