John Anderson for President 1980 Campaign T-Shirt
$43.00 - $56.00
30-day returns · Guaranteed since 2003
In 1980, most Americans were given a choice between Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan. John Anderson looked at that choice and said: no thanks.
Anderson was a 12-term Republican congressman from Illinois, a moderate with a sharp mind and a habit of saying things that were true but inconvenient. He'd run in the Republican primary, where he proposed a 50-cent gas tax to fund Social Security and reduce oil dependence. The Republican base was not amused. He lost the primary. Then he did something almost nobody does: he kept going anyway.
Running as an independent in the general election, Anderson built a genuine grassroots campaign at a time when that was nearly impossible without a major party behind you. He qualified for the ballot in all 50 states. He polled as high as 24% nationally in the summer of 1980. He was excluded from the presidential debates anyway, because the two parties have always been very good at protecting their duopoly.
He ended up with 6.6% of the popular vote, nearly 5.7 million Americans who looked at the two options and chose a third one. No Electoral College votes, but a statement that still resonates: the system isn't the only option.
Anderson went on to teach law, advocate for electoral reform, and push for ranked-choice voting until his death in 2017. He never stopped believing the system could be better. He just knew it wouldn't fix itself.
This garment-dyed heavyweight tee is a tribute to that stubborn, principled tradition. For people who remember 1980 differently, and for everyone who's ever looked at the ballot and wanted a third box.
- 100% ring-spun cotton
- Fabric weight: 6.1 oz/yd² (206.8 g/m²)
- Garment-dyed for a lived-in look and feel
- Relaxed fit
- 7/8" double-needle topstitched collar
- Twill-taped neck and shoulders for extra durability
- Double-needle armhole, sleeve, and bottom hems
Size guide
| WIDTH (inches) | LENGTH (inches) | SLEEVE CENTER BACK (inches) | |
| S | 18 ¼ | 26 ⅝ | 16 ¼ |
| M | 20 ¼ | 28 | 17 ¾ |
| L | 22 | 29 ⅜ | 19 |
| XL | 24 | 30 ¾ | 20 ½ |
| 2XL | 26 | 31 ⅝ | 21 ¾ |
| 3XL | 27 ¾ | 32 ½ | 23 ¼ |
| 4XL | 29 ¾ | 33 ½ | 24 ⅝ |
| WIDTH (cm) | LENGTH (cm) | SLEEVE CENTER BACK (cm) | |
| S | 46.4 | 67.6 | 41.3 |
| M | 51.4 | 71.1 | 45 |
| L | 55.9 | 74.6 | 48.3 |
| XL | 61 | 78.1 | 52 |
| 2XL | 66 | 80.3 | 55.3 |
| 3XL | 70.5 | 82.6 | 59 |
| 4XL | 75.6 | 85 | 62.6 |
🛡️ Since 2003, we've stood behind every order. Something's off? We make it right.
Collections: Men's Apparel and Accessories, Men's Tops | Graphic Tees for Rebels & Liberty Lovers, New Arrivals, Retro Campaign Shirts | The Political History Gift Shop, Retro Independent Campaigns
Type: Mens Top
Category: 3rd Party, campaign, independent, John Anderson, political history, president, retro, t-shirt
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