1938 'Win With Willis--Vote Republican' Indiana U.S. Senate Race / Bastian Bros.

Description

1938 pinback for U.S. Senate candidate Raymond E. Willis from Indiana, a Republican who narrowly lost the election to the Democratic incumbent, Sen. Frederick Van Nuys.
Willis (1875-1956) made a comeback, however, unseating the other incumbent Democrat to with a Senate seat in 1940, serving one term. It's possible this pinback is from the 1940 campaign--or was used in both--but based on photographs of the man, he is younger looking in this photo than when he won office.
In 1938, according to the U.S. Senate web page, "
As Senator Frederick Van Nuys (Democrat) faced his Republican challenger, Raymond E. Willis, in the 1938 Indiana senatorial contest, the incumbent found it necessary to disavow any connection with a Democratic political organization of unsavory repute, the Two Per Cent Club. During his campaign, Van Nuys denounced the organization, stating, 'I could not have accepted aid from the Two Per Cent Club . . . for the simple reason that I regard that organization as violative of both the Federal and State Corrupt Practices Act.' After Van Nuys won the general election by 5,100 votes, this uncompromising pronouncement proved helpful when the defeated Willis decided to request a recount."
Willis demanded a recount and called for an investigation into allegations of tampering with voting machines, allowing improperly registered voters to cast ballots, and that recipients of jobs and relief from the Democrats' Depression-era Works Progress Administration were threatened with loss of those benefits if they didn't support Van Nuys. A Senate committee dismissed the requests for a recount and investigation in 1939.
Manufactured by Bastian Bros., Rochester, New York. Union bugs on curl and "Union Made" part of company logo stamped into metal on reverse.
Button measures 7/8" in diameter.
This item has been stored in a smoke-free environment.
Any condition assigned to items I have up for auction is based on my conservative, albeit amateur, opinion, so please examine available images closely and come to your own conclusion.
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