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A Candidate for Governor Is Raising Money by Selling $5 Fidget Spinners

- Chesnot/Getty Images
Chesnot/Getty Images

You have to get that youth vote somehow.

Randy Boyd, a Republican candidate in the Tennessee gubernatorial race, is kicking off his campaign by selling some unique merchandise: fidget spinners.

Boyd is selling the popular toys for $5 on his website, which feature his campaign brand at the center of the spinning gadget.

"Spin with this summer's hottest toy printed with the Randy Boyd for Governor logo in classic red," the description of the product reads.

Fidget spinners became the must-have toy for children — and adults — this year as different versions dominated the top 40 list of best-selling toys on Amazon. Their popularity even prompted some teachers across the country to start banning them from classrooms.

And Boyd is not the first politician to find unique, branded products to help fund their campaigns — lest we forget 2016 Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush's $75 guacamole bowls and 2016 Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton's "Grillary Clinton" cookout accessories. But this is the first politically oriented fidget spinner we've seen on a campaign website — so far.

Boyd began his career as a businessman and founded Radio Systems Corporation, which manufactures pet products like invisible fences for dogs. Keeping on brand, Boyd is also selling a dog bowl with the title "Chief Pawlicy Advisor" on it.

The gubernatorial election will take place on Nov. 6, 2018. Boyd currently faces Republican candidates Bill Lee, a businessman, and Tenn. State Sen. Mae Beavers.

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