When presidential candidate John Quincy Adams got the novel idea to distribute hand-painted lawn signs to his neighbors in Boston and Washington, D.C., before the 1824 election, little did he suspect the mountains of future rubbish he was creating. Today, roadside signs and billboards are ubiquitous election-year clutter – particularly in Greater Phoenix, where municipalities enforce virtually no limits on their use. We picked some choice specimens from the last eight decades.
Barry Goldwater for U.S. Senate – 1958
“Mr. Arizona” became the first Republican from the state to win a second term in the U.S. Senate when he defeated longtime nemesis Ernest McFarland by 12 points, auguring a new era of GOP dominance in Arizona. Incidentally, Goldwater was 48 when this billboard ran – not especially “young” by biological standards, but certainly less aged than the 63-year-old McFarland.
Sam Goddard for Governor – 1962
Fly Air Goddard? The Tucson attorney opted for a sleek, spare, Madison Avenue-inspired design during his initial run for governor. He lost in ’62 but hit gubernatorial pay dirt just two years later.
John McCain for Congress – 1982
The legendary stateman’s first campaign poster, designed by Valley ad firm KB Woods, preceded his successful bid to represent Arizona’s 1st congressional district. He won reelection in 1984 before launching a 32-year Senate career in 1986.
Rose Mofford for Governor – 1988
Seeking reelection after serving out the term of impeached predecessor Evan Mecham, the matronly Mofford went old-school for this memorable piece of campaign swag.
Jan Brewer for Governor – 2008
The two-term Republican struck a Rosie the Riveter pose for this billboard – since mimicked by current U.S. Senate candidate Kari Lake.
Kari Lake for Governor – 2022
In North-Central Phoenix, this roadside sign for Lake became a favorite target of orange-paint-wielding vandals during her failed gubernatorial run.
Dixon Butts for ??? – 2022
The cowboy-hat-wearing Gilbertian jump-started the parody-campaign trend with this viral lawn sign two years ago.
