McClure became active in the newly formed Republican Party and was an outspoken abolitionist . In 1857 , he was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and re-elected in 1858 and 1859 . At the 1860 Republican National Convention McClure became a well-known political figure , opposing fellow Pennsylvanian Simon Cameron 's bid for the Republican nomination for the presidency . McClure and Andrew G. Curtin helped swing the state 's vote away from Cameron and William Seward to Abraham Lincoln . After Lincoln 's election , McClure became chairman of the Republican state committee and helped to elect Curtin governor of Pennsylvania
1860 Republican National Convention
1860 Republican National Convention
Alexander McClure