It’s Anything But Boring Selling Political Buttons on the ‘Deep-Blue Upper West Side’

By Scott Etkin

The Upper West Side is a far cry from the handful of “swing states” that are likely to decide this year’s presidential race. But with less than two weeks until Election Day, it’s common to see tables set up throughout the neighborhood selling Harris-Walz gear. 

One of these booths is manned by Michael Zorek, an Upper West Sider of more than 30 years. Six days a week, Zorek sells buttons ($4) and magnets ($5) with political slogans that he either designs himself or finds online (he tries to pick images that are so ubiquitous he no longer considers them original artwork). The buttons have a wide range of slogans, everything from the straightforward “Harris for President” to the silly “Canines for Kamala” and “Big Dad Energy.”

“There’s something there for anybody and everybody,” he said on a call with the Rag.

Two months ago, Zorek took a leave of absence from his job at a bookstore downtown to sell buttons full time. His days are long: eight to twelve hours at the booth or prepping merchandise for the next day. 

Being out in public for these long stretches means he’s constantly engaging with people.

“99.9% of the interactions are positive,” he said. Most involve a simple thumbs up or word of thanks. Others are more unexpected: one customer was on her way to a dinner hosted by Jill Biden at the White House. Some customers have given him small gifts, like cakes and a Beanie Baby owl. Some are tourists from Europe. One day, he spoke to a woman in distress and their lengthy conversation had nothing to do with politics. “Every day, something happens that’s an interesting story,” said Zorek. “I know how bartenders feel.” 

Of course, there are some negative comments as well. This past Sunday, a woman walking by said that Harris will ruin the country, and kept walking. Only once has Zorek felt threatened, when a man confronted him while he had a table set up near a Trader Joe’s in the neighborhood. A stranger helped defuse the situation by putting her arm around Zorek, he said.  

On a busy day, Zorek can sell upwards of 200 buttons and magnets. He donates 25% of proceeds to the Movement Voter Project, which supports “local grassroots groups turning out the hardest-to-reach voters,” according to the organization’s website. He pockets the rest, which some people disapprove of, but he justifies by saying he’s taking off time from work to do this, has to cover costs, and campaigns pay their staffers from money that’s donated. 

Zorek didn’t start out selling political buttons. His daughter received a button maker as a gift a few years ago, and during the pandemic they made Broadway-themed buttons, donating the proceeds to out-of-work performers. During the 2020 election he sold Biden buttons. This election cycle he returned when Biden was still at the top of the ticket.  

Before Biden dropped out of the race, he was selling more anti-Trump buttons. Once Harris took his place, the trend changed. “People wanted positive Harris buttons, and they didn’t want the word ‘Trump’ on their button,” he said. 

Otherwise, he hasn’t seen any consistency in button popularity. “It literally changes every day, and for reasons I couldn’t even begin to tell you,” he said.  

So, what’s the point of wearing a political button on the deep-blue Upper West Side?

Zorek compares it to wearing Mets or Yankees gear when they’re in the playoffs. “We’re in New York. Why do [fans] need to do that? They show support for their team. If you’re for Harris-Walz, you show support for your team,” he said. “You keep it in the public eye. It’s a matter of […] making people aware that they’re not the only ones who feel this way.”

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