Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders and Republican Donald Trump will sweep Super Tuesday primaries, according to the Presidential Promo Polls on bumper sticker preferences released today by the Advertising Specialty Institute® (ASI) of Trevose, PA.
With an eye on Tuesday’s political primaries and how promotional products are used in elections, ASI asked residents in primary states this question: If you received a bumper sticker from each of the presidential candidates, which one would you be most willing to put on your car?
“We purposely chose to ask people about bumper stickers because it is an iconic election promotional product that’s also very personal,” said ASI Editorial Director Andy Cohen. “While you might accept and use a branded pen from a candidate you don’t necessarily support, no way would you put a bumper sticker on your car if you didn’t really endorse a candidate.”
In the lead-up to Super Tuesday, ASI released results from voter polls taken in nine states participating in primaries. Polls were not conducted in caucus states. More than 600 people from each state participated in each survey that was fielded among the Google Consumer Survey Network. All responses were collected between Saturday February 20 (after the South Carolina results were announced) and Thursday February 25.
In all nine states, voters ASI polled chose Trump and Sanders by wide margins. Click here to view results and graphics.
Super Tuesday takes place on March 1. Below are results from ASI’s Presidential Promo Poll:
- Alabama: Trump 53%, Sanders 58%
- Arkansas: Trump 51%, Sanders 59%
- Georgia: Trump 46%, Sanders 61%
- Massachusetts: Trump 50%, Sanders 62%
- Oklahoma: Trump 43%, Sanders 64%
- Tennessee: Trump 50%, Sanders 56%
- Texas: Trump: 40%, Sanders 53%
- Vermont: Trump 45%, Sanders 91%
- Virginia: Trump 43%, Sanders 58%
ASI serves a network of 25,000 suppliers, distributors and decorators in the $22 billion promotional products industry. Promo products, also known as swag, freebies and giveaways, are items like pens, T-shirts, caps, coffee mugs and high-tech electronics imprinted with a logo or slogan. Companies, schools and non-profits often use promo products to advertise their brand and events and to thank employees and clients.
In 2012, ASI estimated total election-related promo product spending fueled by giveaways like bumper stickers, yard signs and candidate brochures hit $870 million.
Last fall, according to a campaign finance report, Trump had spent $825,000 on branded merchandise, with his investment in promo products outpacing his spending on any other single category in the quarter. Trump sells his “Make America Great Again” swag through his website and distributes it at campaign rallies. MORE INFO