encouraged by his success, in september 1923, stephenson severed his ties with the existing national organization of the kkk, and formed a rival kkk that was made up of the chapters which he led. that year stephenson changed his affiliation from the democratic to the republican party, which was predominant in indiana and much of the midwest. he supported republican edward l. jackson, who was rumored to be a klan member, when jackson ran successfully for governor in 1924. stephenson once claimed, "i am the law in indiana."