Here’s a couple of pins I’m coming across for the first time, during a lunch-time search today at a local antique shop:
Larry Shumaker for Senate ’80 was a primary opponent for George McGovern in his last election for US Senate. He only managed about 38% in the primary, but it set the stage for McGovern’s defeat in the fall to Jim Abdnor.
The other pin, which is not aging well, is from Kurt Evan’s loss in 1996 running as an Independent in the congressional race to John Thune. This is not to be confused with his loss in 2002 for US Senate, or subsequent losses and withdrawals in other races. Evans received 2.1% of the vote.