In using illustrations of campaign buttons to accompany these political postings, we have often come across buttons whose origins have escaped us. Thus, every now and then we’re going to post some of these unknown items, in the hope that you can identify some of them.
Here’s another selection of campaign items of candidates whose last name begins with a “B.” Does anyone know who these folks are?
I’d vote for Bob for lieutenant governor, sounds like my kind of guy, lol. and I believe there was a Shelly Berman who was a stand up comic in the 50s and 60s. same guy?
I really like the one for Joseph L Boudreau for Overseer of the Poor.
Was there really such an office? Where? I’d like to know what such a person did.
“Berman Congress” might be Col. Leo Berman, Republican nominee against Martin Frost in Texas 24 in 1978 and 1980 (and later a state rep).
I remember the Bernstein button from the early 1970s on Long Island. She was a liberal Democrat who ran in Nassau County when it was still dominated by the Margiotta Republican machine. Her first name might be Karen, I’m not sure.
She might have run against Norman Lent after he defeated Allard Lowenstein in the 5th CD or John Wydler in the 4th.
What a collection! It’s cool to see the evolution of how buttons have been used in political campaigns over the years. You really can’t have a political campaign without buttons!
Looks like George Bindi ran for Congress in 1966 in Monongahela, Pa. (outside Pittsburgh). Short news item about it here: http://www.newspapers.com/newspage/57081599/
“Barrett for Mayor” might be Tom Barrett, Milwaukee mayor.
Dave, this button predates Tom Barrett as mayor of Milwaukee. Some people think it’s for William Barrett, the late longtime congressman from Philadelphia, but I have yet to see any indication that Barrett ever considered running for mayor.
Overseers of the Poor administered various public relief funds and sometimes ran almshouses, “poor farms,” and such operations. It was an office in the UK, and came to the US in the Eastern states. There were state Overseers of the Poor in Vermont and Delaware, as well as in several Massachusetts cities including Boston, Salem, and Haverhill. It appears to have normally been appointive but obviously someplace must have elected them
Bade For Lieutenant Governor is a Missouri button. Leonard Bade was a Democratic candidate for Lt. Gov. in the 1976 primary. He did not win the primary. He was a farmer from Rolla, MO. Most of the attention in the Democratic primary in Missouri that year was focused on the death of Jerry Litton, who had won the nomination for US Senate, but died in a plane crash on primary election night,
I think the “Berman Congress” is from one of the earlier campaigns of Los Angeles Democrat Howard L. Berman, who represented the San Fernando Valley from 1983-2013. I’m guessing an
earlier campaign, because Berman controlled district boundaries, giving himself such a secure seat that until independent redistricting in 2012 he barely campaigned for reelection.
Joseph L. Boudreau [possibly a Republican] was elected overseer of the poor in Manchester NH in at least 1910, ’12 and ’14 and may have gone to prison circa 1918 [naughty Joseph!].
page two, row two: Brownell is Ray A. Brownell mayor of Flint Michigan 1929-30, 1933-34 and Bent is Harold D. Bent Republican mayor of Brockton Massachusetts 1926-31
“Bonsib Congressman” — Louis Bonsib was an unsuccessful candidate n the GOP Congressional primary in Indiana 4 (Fort Wayne) in 1974.
Byron Fullerton ran for Lieutenant Governor in Texas in 1970 as a Republican. He lost. He also served as Dean of the U Texas and Texas Tech law schools and became a well known painter in later life.
mon brodrick is Monmouth Brodrick [as per his headstone tho the Nebraska Blue Book misspells it BrodErick] 1846-1922 Republican state representative 42nd dist. 1899 and 1901 won both times
Bent for Mayor: Harold B. Bent of Brockton