Page "Bob Jones University" Paragraph 60

From the inception of Bob Jones College, a majority of students and faculty were northerners, and therefore many were already Republicans living in the " Solid South.

" After South Carolina Senator Strom Thurmond switched his allegiance to the Republican Party in 1964, BJU faculty members became increasingly influential in the new state Republican party, and BJU alumni were elected to local political and party offices.

In 1976, candidates supported by BJU faculty and alumni captured the local Republican party with unfortunate short-term political consequences, but by 1980 the religious right and the " country club " Republicans had joined forces.

From then on, most Republican candidates for local and statewide offices sought the endorsement of Bob Jones III and greeted faculty / staff voters at the University Dining Common.