Final answer:
Abraham Lincoln spent most of his political career in Illinois, aligning with the Whig and later the Republican Party. Despite facing political opposition, his involvement in state politics and strong stances on slavery and free labor principles elevated his status, leading to his presidency.
Step-by-step explanation:
Abraham Lincoln spent most of his political life in the state of Illinois. He worked various jobs before entering politics, including as a storekeeper, surveyor, and lawyer.
By the 1840s, Lincoln had become prosperous and respectable, aligning his political views more closely with the Whig Party due to his perspectives on the market economy. Despite the Democratic Party's dominance in Illinois, Lincoln served four terms in the state legislature and one term in the U.S. House of Representatives.
The Kansas-Nebraska Act rekindled his interest in politics, leading to his participation in the Lincoln-Douglas Debates, which eventually propelled him into the national political spotlight.
His pronounced views against slavery and advocacy for free labor principles eventually led to his alignment with the Republican Party. Although he did not win a seat in the U.S. Senate, his efforts in the Senate campaign and participation in the debates gained him considerable recognition.
Lincoln's path through Illinois politics laid the groundwork for his eventual nomination and election as President of the United States.