Margaret McDonald papers

Collection

Identifier: IWA0033

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Margaret McDonald papers consist of 6 boxes dated from 1966 to 2002. Margaret McDonald was active in Iowa Republican politics from 1973 to 1980. Her papers contain letters, memoranda, notes, photographs, some biographical materials, press releases, speeches, and position papers relevant to both Iowa politics and national presidential primary campaigns during those years.

Correspondence includes letters from the Republican National Committee, particularly from Mary Dent Crisp and Mary Louise Smith, relating to efforts of the Republican party during the 1970s to encourage women to join and become more active in the party. During her years as Republican Party Co-Chair, McDonald received correspondence from national political figures such as Gerald Ford, Robert Dole, Richard Nixon, Nelson Rockfeller, and Ronald Reagan.

The Republican Party State Central Committee and state elections material includes notes, memoranda, and studies regarding campaign strategy. There are also newspaper clippings both of Republican party activities, editorials, and letters to the editor.

An autographed photograph of Ronald Reagan from the mid-1940s is included in the photographs.

Dates

1966-2002

Creator

McDonald, Margaret, 1925- (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

The papers are open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Biographical / Historical

Margaret McDonald was born in Indianola, Iowa in 1925. She graduated from Capitol City Commercial College and attended the University of Iowa. During World War II she served as secretary to future president Ronald W. Reagan who was a captain in the United States Air Force stationed in California. In 1952 McDonald became actively involved in politics during her husband James L. McDonald's successful campaign for Cherokee County, Iowa Attorney (a post he held until 1985 when he was appointed district judge). From 1952 to 1964 McDonald was active in the Republican Women's Organization of Cherokee County and served in many offices. In 1966 she managed Wiley Mayne's successful campaign for United States Congress and was elected County Republican Party co-chair, a post she kept until 1970. In 1970 McDonald was elected co-chair of the 6th District of the state Republican party and became a member of the state Central Committee of the Republican Party. From 1973 to 1980 McDonald served as co-chair of the State Republican party; during most of those years the party chair was John McDonald (no relation). In 1980 she was a delegate to the Republican National Convention in Detroit and chaired the 1980 State Convention in Cedar Rapids. From 1981 to 1987 she served on the Iowa Mental Health, Mental Retardation, and Development Disabilities Commission and was chair during part of her tenure. McDonald was field representative for Robert Dole's presidential campaign in 1987-1988 and a Dole delegate to the 1988 Republican National Convention. In 1990 she was a field representative for Tom Tauke's senate campaign and in 1992 served as a member of the party finance committee of Cherokee County.