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Strategy

Beto O’Rourke Launches Branded Merchandise Line To Support Presidential Run

Other Democratic hopefuls are also hyping their candidacies with logoed promotional products.

Beto O’Rourke announced Thursday that he’s running for president. And, there is already a line of “Beto For America” branded merchandise to purchase.

Available here and a bit “noir-ish” in its black-and-white color scheme, the campaign collection includes, as of this posting, a hat that says “Beto” and four T-shirt designs in unisex and female cuts. All cost $30.

There are other promotional products you’d likely anticipate for a political campaign, including stickers, a yard sign, buttons and a round magnet. Also, the reusable tote was a nice touch for a Democrat who will likely tout environmentalism as part of his platform. Still, for us, the coolest item in the collection is the embroidered iron-on patch. We’re wondering if the piece takes its inspiration from O’Rourke’s days of playing bass in a 1990s punk/alternative rock band. Back then, it was common to find fans of the genres ironing on patches to hoodies, leather jackets and flannels – patches that displayed the logos of bands they supported.

Beto’s embroidered iron-On patch.

We’ll leave the politics out of things, but it’s certainly telling how important promotional products are to political campaigns that branded swag was ready to be purchased almost as instantly as O’Rourke announced his campaign. Who knows – the election cycles of the next few years, at both the national and local levels, could prove especially lucrative for promotional products distributors. Democrats seem to be rearing to engineer the “blue wave” they feel is within their grasp. Republicans are just as keen to fend off the anticipated onslaught and build on a platform that some would argue has returned America to its greatest economic strength post-recession. That could all lead to heavy investing in promotional products from candidates.

Certainly, other Democrats eager to win their party’s nomination for a White House run are utilizing branded merchandise, too. Take Kamala Harris. Her website features an online shop where you can purchase a vinyl sticker, a hat, T-shirts and a tote.

Branded cap supporting Kamala Harris’ campaign to become the Democratic candidate for president.

Meanwhile, candidate Jay Inslee’s swag reinforces his strong stance on the environment and climate change in everything from its color scheme to its messaging. Items include two totes, buttons, a sticker, his book “Apollo’s Fire,” and T-shirts.

This Jay Inslee tee shows that he’s serious about addressing the issue of climate change.

Like Harris and O’Rourke, candidate Amy Klobuchar chose to brand her products with her first name, rather than her last – perhaps a sign of our more informal times. Maybe it’s a tactic aimed at seeming down-to-earth and relatable. Klobuchar’s store has a couple tees, a hat, stickers and buttons, but our favorite product was her hooded sweatshirt.

Amy Klobuchar hoodie.

Of all the buttons we saw, we definitely felt candidate Julian Castro’s stood out. They’re available, along with other branded products, in his web store.

Julian Castro’s button design is quite bold.

If you want to see what other candidates are doing with their merch, head here for a list of the hopefuls.