Main Street Republicans

Main Street Republicans is a term used to describe a philosophy in the Republican Party of the United States.

There are three meanings for this term.

• Generally, the term "Main Street Republican" is used to describe the party's small-town, rural, and small-business supporters, generally perceived as being more socially conservative than the big-business "Wall Street" faction which is largely perceived as being predominantly in favor of reduced taxation and business regulation and as either unconcerned or openly hostile to frequently held "Main Street" positions in opposition to abortion, gay rights, and similar issues of major conern.

• In the U.S. state of New Hampshire, the term "Main Street Republicans" is used to describe the more moderate faction in the New Hampshire House of Representatives, in contrast to the more conservative group styled the "House Republican Alliance".

• In the Congress, the Republican Main Street Partnership is a similar moderate group composed of Republican members less concerned with social conservatism than with fiscal issues. In addition to 37 Representatives and 6 Senators the group also identifies 2 current GOP governors as members.