SC PoliticL Timeline By Creagan Apr 20, 1798 Democrat-Republicans were the dominant political party in the U.S. Apr 20, 1850 The Republican Party is formed against the expansion of slavery Apr 20, 1860 Abraham Lincoln was elected the first republican president Apr 20, 1877 Southern democrats began to "redeem" the south and formed the " solid south" Apr 20, 1948 Storm Thurmond runs for president as the Dixiecrat nominee Apr 20, 1948 Democratic presidents Roosevelt and Truman both supported desegregation Apr 20, 1964 Democrat presidents Kennedy and Johnson both support the civil rights act Apr 20, 1980 Laws such as the educational Improvement act are passed Apr 20, 2010 South Carolina's first female governor, Nikki Haley, is elected