The 1860 convention nominated the first successful GOP presidential candidate , Abraham Lincoln of Illinois and nominated Hanibal Hamlin of Maine for Vice President . The 1864 event , with the American Civil War raging , was branded as the " National Union Convention " as it included Democrats who remained loyal to the Union and nominated Andrew Johnson , who had been elected Governor of Tennessee as a Democrat , for Vice President
1860 convention
1860 Republican National Convention
Republican National Convention