Thomas Jefferson

Founding Father and principal author of the Declaration of Independence with a distinguished career in public service as a diplomat, governor, cabinet secretary, vice president, and president. Dedicated to republicanism, individual rights, and the separation of church and state. Proven executive leader who doubled the size of the nation through the Louisiana Purchase and commissioned the landmark Lewis and Clark Expedition.

• Chief Diplomat: Successfully negotiated the Louisiana Purchase from France in 1803, doubling the size of the U.S. and securing control of the Mississippi River.
• Commander-in-Chief: Dispatched the U.S. Navy to conclude the First Barbary War. Established the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1802.
• Chief Executive: Commissioned the Lewis and Clark Expedition to explore the new Louisiana Territory. Reduced the size of the federal government and worked to pay down the national debt.
• Chief Legislator: Worked with Congress to repeal the Alien and Sedition Acts. Signed the Embargo Act of 1807 and the Act Prohibiting Importation of Slaves (1807).
• Economic Planner: Prioritized fiscal conservatism, slashing the national debt by over a third. Reduced internal taxes, relying instead on customs duties to fund the government.
• Head of State: Cultivated an image of republican simplicity, hosting dinners Delivered first Inaugural Address, calling for unity: "We are all Republicans, we are all Federalists."

• Potus: 1801-1809: Successfully took down John Adams in the presidential election and secured Potus position. Then was re elected in landslide 1804 victory. Led the country as the head of the republican party. Major campaign points: Pleaded for national unity, anti federalist.
• Vice President of the United States: 1797–1801 / Washington, D.C. Presided over the senate and wrote "A Manual of Parliamentary Practice."
• Secretary of State: 1790–1793 / Appointed by President Washington Managed foreign policy and established the foundations of U.S. diplomacy.
• Minister to France: 1785–1789 / Paris, France Represented U.S. interests in Europe and negotiated commercial treaties.
• Governor of Virginia: 1779–1781 / Williamsburg, Virginia Led the state during the revolutionary war, authored the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom.
• Delegate, Second Continental Congress: 1775–1776 / Philadelphia, PA Selected as principal author of the Declaration of Independence.