George C. Wallace for U.S. Senate, Alabama (1978)

Description: This "Vote Wallace - U.S. Senate" Alabama Campaign Pinnnnback, was issued in 1978, and is a 2-1/4" button. The unique history of this pinback is that Wallace never officially ran for the U. S. Senate. In 1966, Wallace was finishing a term as Governor and at that time, the governor could not succeed himself by Alabama State Law (the law was changed after that so that a governor may serve 2 connective terms.) In order to run in 1966, Wallace would have had to run against the then Senator John Sparkman. Sparkman had been in the US Senate for many years, was popular, but at that time, no one in the state was more popuilar than George Wallace. Many of the high up officials and other persons of influence in the state were pushing him to run, and a very few of these pinbacks were produced and given to choice people, in order to try to spur Wallace to run.However, Wallace instead, chose to run his wife, Lurleen, for Governor, which she did run, won, and died from cancer while in office. Wallace was then shot in his presidential campaign in 1972, and was left a paraplegic for the rest of his life!! In 1978, Alabama had both US Senate seats open. After ending his 3rd tems as Governor, he had no where else to go in Alabama, politically. A Senate seat was basically his if he chose to run for either of the open seats. So some of his supporters put out this pinback, in the hope that it would spur his desire to remain in active politics, and run for one of the open US Senate seats. George made a trip to Washington to look over the scene that he would face if he ran and was elected. Several of his personal aides and friends accompanied him on this trip. After spending a couple of days in Washington, he found that if would be difficult at best to maneuver all the steps and hallways in Washington, so he decided that he just didn't want to leave Alabama!! George wound up running for Governor again in 1980, and won!! Since only a very few of these pinbacks were made, they are extremely rare to say the least!! Most believe that less than 50 were made, with most going to staff. After all these years, who knows how many are still around.....very, very few I would guess. I have seen one other in my 50 years of collecting political items, primarily Alabama. In fact, this may be the only ohe to ever be available for auction!! Or, make an offer! NOTE: Shipping cost will include insurance!!!! ALSO NOTE THAT USPS SHIPPING RATES HAVE INCREASED AGAIN!!

Price: 225 USD

Location: Decatur, Alabama

End Time: 2024-12-03T10:03:28.000Z

Shipping Cost: 5.25 USD