Simpson College to host virtual discussion with political historian Marc C. Johnson

Simpson College will host a discussion with political historian Marc C. Johnson at 7 p.m., Thursday, March 18, 2021. Johnson is the author of “Tuesday Night Massacre: Four Senate Elections and the Radicalization of the Republican Party.”

The virtual event is free and open to the public via Zoom with required pre-registration. Register at simpson.zoom.us.

Johnson’s second book, “Tuesday Night Massacre” explains how Senate races in Idaho, Indiana, Iowa and South Dakota in the pivotal political year of 1980 continue to shape American politics. One of the key players in the book is Senator John C. Culver, the namesake for Simpson’s John C. Culver Public Policy Center, a co-sponsor of the event.

“Author Marc C. Johnson takes readers back four decades to four pivotal 1980 U.S. Senate elections that reshaped the national political terrain for years to come,” said Seth Andersen, director of the Culver Public Policy Center. “His in-depth examination of Senator John C. Culver’s unsuccessful re-election campaign sheds new light on the dynamics that led to the ouster of four liberal lions of the Senate and the first Republican-controlled Senate since 1954.”

Johnson is an author, broadcast journalist and host of the blog and podcast “Many Things Considered.” A communication and crisis management consultant, Johnson was a top aide to Idaho’s longest-serving governor, Cecil D. Andrus. His writing on politics and history has appeared in numerous national and regional publications, including The New York Times, the California Journal of Politics and Policy, Montana – The Magazine of Western History and the Blue Review, Boise State University’s policy journal.

Johnson’s discussion is hosted by the John C. Culver Public Policy Center and co-sponsored by the Iowa History Center.

About the John C. Culver Public Policy Center
The John C. Culver Public Policy Center was established at Simpson College in 2010 to honor the service of John C. Culver, who served the people of Iowa for 16 years in the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. Simpson College strives to honor the example of the late John C. Culver by inspiring young people to pursue careers in public service with integrity and moral courage. The Center’s nonpartisan programs seek to educate and inspire young people to actively participate in our democracy and encourage them to consider public service as their life’s work.

About Simpson College
Simpson College is a private, liberal arts college located in Iowa with campuses in Indianola, West Des Moines and online. Founded in 1860, the college has 1,268 undergraduate and graduate students. Simpson offers 74 majors, minors and programs in addition to three graduate programs. Outside of the classroom, Simpson is a member of the NCAA Division III American Rivers Conference, hosts eight Greek houses on campus and sponsors many extracurricular options for student involvement.

Event Contact
Seth Andersen, director of the John C. Culver Public Policy Center at Simpson College
Direct: 515-961-1354
Email: seth.andersen@simpson.edu

Media Contact
Cathy Cole, vice president for marketing and strategic communication
Direct: 515-961-1595
Email: cathy.cole@simpson.edu