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." When Nixon became mired in the Watergate scandal, Ashbrook became the first House Republican to call for the President's resignation. Death and legacy In 1982, Ashbrook announced his intention to seek the Republican nomination to challenge incumbent Democratic Senator Howard Metzenbaum and polls showed him winning the primary with a plurality. 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. 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." Ashbrook's widow, Jean Spencer Ashbrook, was chosen in a special election to serve the remaining seven months of his congressional term. The Ashbrook Center for Public Affairs at Ashland University was named for Ashbrook in 1983. 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) and Margaret Thatcher (1993) to Mitt Romney (April 2010) and John Boehner (June 2011). Electoral history See also List of United States Congress members who died in office (1950–99) List of United States representatives from Ohio List of members of the House Un-American Activities Committee References External links Biography at the Ashbrook Center for Public Affairs at Ashland University John M. Ashbrook's 1972 Announcement for the Presidency 1928 births 1982 deaths 20th-century American newspaper publishers (people) 20th-century American politicians Candidates in the 1972 United States presidential election Candidates in the