John Andrews is a Senior Fellow of the Claremont Institute and chairman of Backbone America, a national citizens alliance that champions the principles of the American founding.

Backbone America is based in Colorado and sponsored by the Claremont Institute.

He is the immediate past President of the Colorado Senate, where he served two terms, 1998-2005; founder of the Independence Institute, one of the nation's first state-based free-market think tanks; and currently serves on a foreign scholarships commission for President Bush.

Andrews hosts a talk show called "Backbone Radio," does regular commentary for the Denver Post and Colorado Public Television, and consults for legislative leaders in many states. He is also a faculty member in public affairs at the Colorado School of Mines.

He grew up in the Colorado mountains, graduated from Principia College, and served as a US Navy submarine officer. He was a speechwriter for President Nixon, an education appointee for President Reagan, and Republican nominee for Governor of Colorado in 1990. He and his wife Donna have three grown children.