John Andrews is a senior fellow of the Claremont Institute.

He is a 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 does regular commentary for the Denver Post 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 U.S. Navy submarine officer. He was a speechwriter for President Nixon, and an education appointee for President Reagan. He and his wife Donna have three grown children.