Political Campaign Button, John B. Anderson for President, 1980

John Anderson, a moderate Republican and Representative from Illinois, entered the 1980 presidential race as an independent third party candidate. Anderson's honest, articulate and straight-talking campaign style contrasted with the political posturing of traditional campaigns. Early poll numbers gave Anderson hope, but support shifted back to the major party candidates -- Reagan and Carter. He received less than 7 percent of the total vote on Election Day.