United States House of Representatives: History, Art, & Archives
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House Collection Objects

Campaign Objects

Jeannette Rankin, the first woman elected to Congress, used this sticker for her second House campaign in 1940./tiles/non-collection/o/oh_obj_homepage.xml Collection of the U.S. House of Representatives
About this object Jeannette Rankin, the first woman elected to Congress, used this sticker for her second House campaign in 1940.
In 1916, Jeannette Rankin became the first woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. To commemorate the centennial of her election, the Office of the House Historian conducted oral histories with former women Members, staff, and family. In each interview, Congresswomen discuss the objects they created to promote their name, such as buttons, magnets, pamphlets, and posters. This exhibit of campaign materials, all found in the House Collection, showcases the stories behind the slogans, colors, and symbols employed by candidates in their quest for office. Read more stories about campaign ephemera in our blog: Whereas: Stories from the People's House.

Featured Video

"Dine with the Byrons"

The Honorable Beverly Barton Butcher Byron discusses the materials she used in her congressional campaigns, including a promotional pamphlet with Byron family recipes. The “Dine with the Byrons” campaign tradition started when her husband, Goodloe Byron, ran for the Maryland state house in the 1960s.
The Honorable Beverly Barton Butcher Byron, U.S. Representative of Maryland
Interview recorded June 15, 2016 – Deed of Gift
Transcript (PDF)

Video

"Dine with the Byrons"

The Honorable Beverly Barton Butcher Byron discusses the materials she used in her congressional campaigns, including a promotional pamphlet with Byron family recipes. The “Dine with the Byrons” campaign tradition started when her husband, Goodloe Byron, ran for the Maryland state house in the 1960s.
The Honorable Beverly Barton Butcher Byron, U.S. Representative of Maryland
Interview recorded June 15, 2016 – Deed of Gift
Transcript (PDF)

"The Best for the First"

The Honorable Eva M. Clayton recalls how she created a slogan for her 1992 special election pin.
The Honorable Eva M. Clayton, U.S. Representative of North Carolina
Interview recorded May 15, 2015 – Deed of Gift
Transcript (PDF)

Campaign Literature

The Honorable Nancy Lee Johnson discusses designing campaign literature while keeping costs low, and which motifs were effective for her race.
The Honorable Nancy Lee Johnson, U.S. Representative of Connecticut
Interview recorded December 3, 2015 – Deed of Gift
Transcript (PDF)

Campaign Slogans

The Honorable Susan Molinari had experience in creating campaign slogans—she created one for her father when he served in the House. Here she discusses her own campaign slogan, “A New Generation of Leadership.”
The Honorable Susan Molinari, U.S. Representative of New York
Interview recorded January 8, 2016 – Deed of Gift
Transcript (PDF)

"Connie"

The Honorable Constance A. Morella describes the personal element of her campaign buttons.
The Honorable Constance A. Morella, U.S. Representative of Maryland
Interview recorded June 16, 2015 – Deed of Gift
Transcript (PDF)

Staying Grounded

Using “Sue” on her campaign buttons was more than an easy way for voters to remember Congresswoman Sue Myrick’s name. She used it as a promise and a reminder to stay grounded.
The Honorable Sue Myrick, U.S. Representative of North Carolina
Interview recorded March 14, 2016 – Deed of Gift
Transcript (PDF)

Claudine for Congress

When it came to campaign buttons, Congresswoman Schneider wanted the emphasis on her first name. After her unsuccessful bid for Congress, voters of the district sported “Next Time, Claudine” bumper stickers. For her second campaign, she used a slogan that already had a ring to it.
The Honorable Claudine Schneider, U.S. Representative of Rhode Island
Interview recorded January 20, 2016 – Deed of Gift
Transcript (PDF)

"She Wins, We Win," and the FBI

Congresswoman Schroeder wanted to accomplish several things with her campaign slogan, including communicating her stance on humanitarian rights and clearly stating her gender. Unexpectedly, it also prompted FBI surveillance of her 1972 campaign.
The Honorable Patricia Scott Schroeder, U.S. Representative of Colorado
Interview recorded June 3, 2015 – Deed of Gift
Transcript (PDF)

Images & Artifacts

Beverly Barton Butcher Byron Handbill
<i>Beverly Barton Butcher Byron Handbill</i>/tiles/non-collection/o/oh_obj_byron_recipes.xml
Congresswoman Byron printed campaign pamphlets with photos of her family and some of their favorite recipes. Congresswoman Byron recalls how people asked for copies of the recipes years later.
Collection of the U.S. House of Representatives, Gift of The Honorable Beverly Barton Butcher Byron
About this object
"A Few of Our Favorite Recipes"
<i>"A Few of Our Favorite Recipes"</i>/tiles/non-collection/o/oh_obj_byron_recipes_2.xml
Take a look inside Congresswoman Byron’s recipe pamphlet for culinary inspiration!
Collection of the U.S. House of Representatives, Gift of The Honorable Beverly Barton Butcher Byron
About this object
Eva M. Clayton Lapel Pin
<i>Eva M. Clayton Lapel Pin</i>/tiles/non-collection/o/oh_obj_clayton_button.xml
Representative Clayton’s slogan, “The Best for the First,” appeared on buttons like this one, as well as t-shirts and cars.
Collection of the U.S. House of Representatives
About this object
Nancy Lee Johnson Lapel Pin
<i>Nancy Lee Johnson Lapel Pin</i>/tiles/non-collection/o/oh_obj_njohnson_button.xml
Congresswoman Johnson continued to use these colors and the star motif throughout her reelections campaigns.
Collection of the U.S. House of Representatives
About this object
Susan Molinari Lapel Pin
<i>Susan Molinari Lapel Pin</i>/tiles/non-collection/o/oh_obj_molinari_button.xml
Susan Molinari’s slogan, “A New Generation of Leadership,” connected her to her father, Representative Guy Molinari, and also emphasized the advantages of a new generation entering politics.
Collection of the U.S. House of Representatives
About this object
Constance A. Morella Lapel Pin
<i>Constance A. Morella Lapel Pin</i>/tiles/non-collection/o/oh_obj_morella_button.xml
Personal connection drove Congresswoman Morella to choose campaign object designs. Instead of displaying her name with generic font, she wanted to highlight her personality by replicating her signature on her campaign buttons.
Collection of the U.S. House of Representatives
About this object
Sue Myrick Lapel Pin
<i>Sue Myrick Lapel Pin</i>/tiles/non-collection/o/oh_obj_myrick_button.xml
“I was Sue before I got elected. If I’m elected, I’ll be Sue in office, and I’ll be Sue when I leave.” In her interview, Congresswoman Myrick explains that printing “Sue” on her campaign buttons was a reminder of why she sought political office.
Collection of the U.S. House of Representatives
About this object
Claudine Schneider Lapel Pin
<i>Claudine Schneider Lapel Pin</i>/tiles/non-collection/o/oh_obj_schneider_button_thistime.xml
After her unsuccessful run for Congress, “Next Time Claudine” bumper stickers appeared on cars. Congresswoman Schneider decided to use a similar slogan for her second run, which she won.
Collection of the U.S. House of Representatives
About this object
Claudine Schneider Lapel Pin
<i>Claudine Schneider Lapel Pin</i>/tiles/non-collection/o/oh_obj_schneider_button_congress.xml
Name recognition is key as a new politician. But Congresswoman Schneider insisted her campaign buttons emphasized her first name, like this one.
Collection of the U.S. House of Representatives
About this object
Patricia Scott Schroeder Lapel Pin
<i>Patricia Scott Schroeder Lapel Pin</i>/tiles/non-collection/o/oh_obj_schroeder_button.xml
With help from her students, Congresswoman Schroeder created this button which clearly stated she was a woman, showed her face, and communicated her stance on humanitarian issues.
Collection of the U.S. House of Representatives
About this object
<i>Beverly Barton Butcher Byron Handbill</i>;
<i>"A Few of Our Favorite Recipes"</i>;
<i>Eva M. Clayton Lapel Pin</i>;
<i>Nancy Lee Johnson Lapel Pin</i>;
<i>Susan Molinari Lapel Pin</i>;
<i>Constance A. Morella Lapel Pin</i>;
<i>Sue Myrick Lapel Pin</i>;
<i>Claudine Schneider Lapel Pin</i>;
<i>Claudine Schneider Lapel Pin</i>;
<i>Patricia Scott Schroeder Lapel Pin</i>;
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Office of the Historian: history@mail.house.gov
Office of Art & Archives, Office of the Clerk: art@mail.house.gov, archives@mail.house.gov