Senator McGovern '74

Bluish-purple text on a silver background

This button was for the re-election campaign of U.S. Senator George McGovern in 1974. McGovern won that election, but lost to James Adnor in a third-term bid in 1980. McGovern served as U.S. Senator from South Dakota from 1963 until 1981, having previously served as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1957-1961. In 1972, McGovern was the Democratic nominee for U.S. President, but lost the election to Richard Nixon, 520 electoral votes to 17.

McGovern volunteered for the U.S Army Air Corps in World War II, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross. As a senator, he was known for his opposition to the Vietnam War, and throughout his career worked on programs related to agriculture, nutrition, and fighting hunger for national and international organizations, including the United Nations.