Even though three presidents have been born in North Carolina (Polk, Jackson, and Johnson) perhaps the most nationally recognized North Carolina politician in recent years has been former senator Jesse Helms. His voting record and public statements during five terms in the US Senate (1973-2003) generated large amounts of both praise and criticism. Helms was the first Republican from North Carolina to be elected to the Senate in the twentieth century. At one time a Democrat, the former radio and television editorialist changed his party affiliation in 1972 to run against incumbent Nick Galifianikis. From 1995-2001 he served as Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Over the last three decades, political buttons have both promoted Helms's successful campaigns and criticized his position on controversial topics such as abortion.