Morse 1962 Postcards

When looking over my Wayne Morse items I am always perplexed at how few items from his 1962 re-election campaign I have been able to find outside of brochures. There are two postcards that look pretty much the same from the front, but on the reverse have two separate layouts.

The front of these two cards look very similar, they both feature Morse standing next to a globe holding his glasses. One is slightly wider and shorter than the other.

Here is the photo that appears on the card

Sig, Wayne, & Mark

1962 Unander for Senate Button

Sig Unander is probably not a household Oregon name to any. When I first found this pin several years ago, I didn't even know it was an Oregon item. Coming to political prominence during the post war years in the late 40s and was active in statewide politics in the 1950s and 60s. Unander, like many Oregon politicos of his era, got his start in the young Republican organizations that existed in the state at that time.

The biggest reason why Unander is not a household name is because he never became Governor of Oregon. He was beat out by fellow Republican Mark Hatfield in the 1958 Republican primary. Hatfield of course became the famous young Republican that beat Governor Robert Holmes. 1958 was also unusual in that every member of the state board (Governor, State Treasurer, and Secretary of State) were all running for governor at the same time.

Unander probably felt a little slighted by the challenge in the GOP primary by Hatfield. Unander had just a little more seniority in the Republican ranks than Hatfield. People at this level in politics have long memories. The campaign got a little rough towards the end and Hatfield bested Unander in the primary and went on to serve two terms as Governor. Unander would continue to serve as State Treasurer (as he had been elected in 1952 and 1956). It is hard to determine if Hatfield and Unander were ever on the same page again. Hatfield had clearly knocked the wind out of Unanders political sails.

A Look at Bob Straub (1954-1962)

At the recent meeting of the Oregon Political Item Conservators in Salem, Oregon author Charles Johnson shared with us some highlights of his recently completed book, Standing at the Water's Edge: Bob Straub's Battle for the Soul of Oregon  

 Members were captivated by the contrasts between Governor Tom McCall and Governor Bob Straub, who both vied for the Governor's Mansion at the same time during the 60s and early 70s. Many of the McCall environmental initiatives are owed to the work Straub did to bring those issues to the front of McCall's attention. In their attempts to one up each other, they made each other better candidates and public servants.