Photograph of Jesse Jackson on left half of button.  Black and red text on a white background on right half of button.

In 1984 and 1988, Baptist minister and Democratic politician Jesse Jackson campaigned for the U.S. presidency. The noted activist’s first campaign in 1984 landed him in third place in the race for the Democratic Party’s nomination—a much more successful showing than many had believed possible. Jackson’s 1988 platform was much the same as it had been in 1984, calling for a “Rainbow Coalition” of minorities, the LGBTQ+ community, and the poor. He also campaigned for an end to the War on Drugs, the creation of more jobs, and raising taxes on the wealthy. Though Jackson was popular overall, he was hindered by allegations of his brother’s criminal past. Jackson eventually lost the Democratic nomination to Michael Dukakis (who eventually lost the presidential election to George H. W. Bush). 

Jackson continued to serve in politics and social activism throughout the 2000s and 2010s. In 2023, he announced that he was stepping down from the Rainbow/PUSH organization—a non-profit founded by Jackson dedicated to promoting social justice and civil rights causes.

Outline illustration of the state of Arkansas with an insent photograph of Bill Clinton with blue and red text a red background.  White outer border with blue text and two red 5-pointed stars.
 

Bill Clinton was the Democratic Party nominee for President in 1992. During the Democratic National Convention (DNC), Bill Clinton accepted the nomination and ended his speech saying “I still believe in a place called hope”, referring to his hometown Hope, Arkansas. The DNC was held in Hope, Arkansas.

Alternating images of black text on white background and photograph of Ronald Reagan. 

Ronald Reagan was an actor who became involved with politics in the 1960s. He was the Governor of California from 1966 to 1974. In 1968 and 1976, he ran unsuccessfully to become the Republican Party's nominee for President but easily secured the nomination in 1980. 

Reagan ran against incumbent President Jimmy Carter in the 1980 election, alongside vice-presidential nominee George H. W. Bush. His campaign stressed lower taxes, states' rights, and less governmental interference in people's lives. In the general election, Reagan was behind in most polls leading up to the sole televised debate with Carter, but the Reagan/Bush ticket was able to overcome the deficit. Reagan ended up carrying 44 states and became the 40th President of the United States.

Henry Ross Perot is an American businessman and former politician. He ran as in independent in the 1992 presidential election against Bill Clinton and George H.W. Bush, on a platform focused on balancing the federal budget, opposed to gun control, and determined to end the outsourcing of jobs to foreign countries. Although Perot polled well, he only received 19% of the popular vote in the November election, and no votes from the electoral college. His promotional team distributed these buttons in return for $5.00 donations to his campaign, as Perot was adamant about not accepting donations greater than $5.00.

White text on a blue background.
 

In 1984 and 1988, Baptist minister and Democratic politician Jesse Jackson campaigned for the U.S. presidency. The noted activist’s first campaign in 1984 landed him in third place in the race for the Democratic Party’s nomination—a much more successful showing than many had believed possible. Jackson’s 1988 platform was much the same as it had been in 1984, calling for a “Rainbow Coalition” of minorities, the LGBTQ+ community, and the poor. He also campaigned for an end to the War on Drugs, the creation of more jobs, and raising taxes on the wealthy. Though Jackson was popular overall, he was hindered by allegations of his brother’s criminal past. Jackson eventually lost the Democratic nomination to Michael Dukakis (who eventually lost the presidential election to George H. W. Bush). 

Jackson continued to serve in politics and social activism throughout the 2000s and 2010s. In 2023, he announced that he was stepping down from the Rainbow/PUSH organization—a non-profit founded by Jackson dedicated to promoting social justice and civil rights causes.

Blue text on an orange background.

Leonard Frank Arons ran for, and was successful in his bid to become, a delegate for Ronald Reagan’s 1980 presidential campaign. Arons got his start in politics as a part of the College Republicans at Illinois State University.

Arons, a Republican, ran twice to unseat long-time incumbent Democrat John E. Scott for a Missouri State Senate seat. Running on a platform of a unique combination of experience as a former public school teacher and a private attorney, Arons vowed to eliminate sales tax on food, reform the welfare system, and uphold traditional family values. In both races, Arons took in about 30% of the vote to Scott’s 60%.

Illustration of elephant cresting a hill while holding a flag in its trunk above its head.  Red text on white background.

Libertarian Republicans usually belong to the Republican Party and advocate libertarian policies. They may vote for Libertarians or Republicans in state and federal elections. Libertarian Republicans support cutting taxes, abortion rights, fewer regulations, the protection of gun rights, and they support repealing the Patriot Act and Affordable Care Act. Additionally they oppose the War on Drugs and the death penalty.

This button depicts an elephant, the Republican Party mascot, holding the Gadsden flag which shows a rattlesnake and the motto "Don't Tread on Me." This flag is a symbol of American patriotism, disagreement with government, and the support of civil liberties, a message that aligns with Libertarian Republican values of personal freedom.

Blue-tinted photograph of Al Gore on a white background with blue and red text along edge of button.

In 2000, Democratic New Yorkers wanted Al Gore for President of the United States and Hillary Rodham Clinton as a U.S. Senator. Gore ultimately lost the election to George W. Bush by 5 electoral votes, but Clinton was successfully elected to the Senate. 

Black text on a white background with a red "No" symbol.

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Photograph of Jesse Jackson smiling, with his arm around the shoulder of Harold Washington with superimposed white text.

Reverend Jesse Jackson in 1988 decided once again to get involved in politics and try to secure the Democratic nomination. He had tried once prior in 1984 and managed to secure 18 percent of the vote in the primaries. His 1988 campaign would also end in a loss, but he did win 11 primaries and secured 20 percent of the vote. In order to help him secure votes in Illinois, he secured the endorsement of Chicago Mayor, Harold Washington. Jackson struggled to gain a unified black vote in the 1984 primaries, with many politicians not aligning with him. This move by Washington helped to signify a change in black politicians' relationship with Jackson.