December 21, 2013 - As Ronald Reagan continues to be one of the most popular Presidents, so do his campaign buttons continue to be sought out by collectors.

Putting together a collection of Ronald Reagan campaign buttons offers collectors many opportunities.  Campaign buttons were produced for Reagan’s two successful runs for Governor of California in 1966 and 1970. For his presidential campaigns there are also a large selection of campaign buttons from 1968, 1976, 1980 and 1984.

Ronald Reagan first came to the attention of the American public at large as movie actor. Reagan would make Hollywood films from the late 1930s until 1964 when he would appear in his final film The Killers.

Reagan established his conservative credentials when he gave a televised speech in support of 1964 Republican nominee for President Barry Goldwater.  That speech on October 27, 1964 for Goldwater titled “A Time For Choosing” would later be marked by historians as the moment Reagan’s political career was launched.

In 1966 Reagan running as a Republican would be elected the Governor of California. Campaign buttons would be produced for this first Reagan campaign for elective office.

In 1968 Reagan would set his sights on the White House. This first run for President would see the wide production of Reagan picture presidential campaign buttons that would take advantage of his movie star good lucks.

Reagan had entered the 1968 Republican presidential primary season late after the campaign of Nelson Rockefeller had faltered against that of Richard Nixon. While Nixon would ultimately win enough delegates to secure the nomination, Reagan surprisingly would win the majority of actual votes cast in the primaries.

Reagan would be re-elected Governor of California in 1970. From there Reagan would set his eyes on the White House again. This would be a decade long quest which Reagan would finally accomplish when he was elected President in November of 1980.

In 1976 Reagan would mount another presidential campaign. This time he would have to challenge incumbent President Gerald Ford. Reagan would come very close to winning the nomination. Ford though would ultimately win a close delegate race with him winning 1,187 delegates to Reagan's 1,070.

The 1976 race would see a large number of Reagan campaign buttons. Reagan took the unusual move for that era of presidential politics of selecting his vice presidential running mate Senator Richard Schweicker of Pennsylvania well in advance of the nominating convention.  There are several different styles of Reagan Schweicker word campaign buttons and Reagan Schweicker picture campaign buttons that were made for that potential ticket.

The 1976 Republican National Convention was held in Kansas City and due to the close race between Ford and Reagan was dubbed “the shootout in Kansas City.” A number of campaign buttons were produced that played off the shootout theme. Campaign buttons were available that featured cartoon caricatures of Ford and Reagan as cowboys. Depending on who a person wanted to support the buttons were made with either Reagan in a black hat or white hat and the same for Ford.

With Ford having lost the November general election in 1976 to Jimmy Carter, Reagan’s path to the 1980 seemed within his grasp. While he would have a number of fellow Republicans also running for the nomination including future President George H.W. Bush and Senator Bob Dole, Reagan would win the nomination and go on to defeat President Jimmy Carter in November of 1980.

The 1980 election saw a large variety of Ronald Reagan presidential campaign buttons now that he had finally secured the Republican nomination.  Campaign buttons featuring the Reagan Bush ticket and also many showing regional support from States around the country could be found. Some Ronald Reagan presidential campaign buttons from 1980 featured the now iconic photo of him wearing a cowboy hat. Many Reagan Bush campaign buttons from 1980 would feature a patriotic red, white and blue theme which has always been standard for presidential campaign buttons.

1984 would be the final political campaign for Ronald Reagan. With his win in November of 1984, Reagan would conclude his electoral career without ever having lost a general election.

While the campaigns of Ronald Reagan are now in the history books, the political memorabilia from those years endure. In addition to Ronald Reagan for President campaign buttons, there are wide varieties of Reagan political memorabilia for collectors to seek.  There are Ronald Reagan posters, ribbons, inaugural items, plates and more items available.

As the admiration and appreciation of the legacy of Ronald Reagan continues to grow, so to can the popularity of Ronald Reagan campaign buttons and memorabilia be expected to increase.