# US candidates use regional dress to shape campaign identities

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/the-necktie-is-dead-how-us-midterm-candidates-are-dressing-for-votes/
- Published: 2026-10-31T00:16:03+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-31T00:37:14+00:00
- Original publisher: BBC World (publisher lean: Centre)
- Original article: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ckq6nz4286r4o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
- Topics: Americas, Culture, Elections, Fashion, Government, Politics, World

## Key points

- Campaign clothing can signal a candidate’s identity and values.
- Outdoor wear reflects regional and working-class connections.
- Ashley Hinson uses patriotic fashion to reach rural voters.

## Summary

US candidates seeking congressional seats are using clothing to attract attention and signal who they represent, alongside campaigning on policy. Their style can help communicate authenticity and build a recognisable image, particularly on social media, where voters may see a candidate only briefly.

Democrat Marie Gluesenkamp Perez and Alaska Senate candidate Mary Peltola favour practical outdoor clothing that reflects their regional and working backgrounds. Republican Ashley Hinson has used denim, red, bandanas and American flag shoes to project patriotism and appeal to rural voters. The article also introduces a Texas contest between Ken Paxton and James Talarico, but the supplied text ends before describing their styles.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.