Could Candy Sales Predict the 2024 Election? Trump Leading in Cleveland Sweetie's Candy Bar Race

CLEVELAND, OH — Every four years, as the country braces for the intensity of election season, Cleveland’s beloved B.A. Sweetie Candy Company puts its own sweet spin on political campaigns. Since 2000, owner Tom Scheiman has transformed his massive candy store into a humorous election battleground, stocking candy bars and sodas branded with the faces of that year’s presidential candidates. This year, it’s Donald Trump versus Kamala Harris—alongside a neutral, tongue-in-cheek candidate named Peter Pez, who makes his lighthearted case as an alternative with purple-wrapped chocolate bars and soda bottles.

Scheiman, who launched the election-themed treats during the Bush-Gore race 24 years ago, says the idea was always meant to be a bit of fun. “We’re not making any statement here,” he explained. “It’s just a fun way to get involved in the election season without being too serious about it.” Over the years, the tradition has become a highly anticipated part of the store’s offerings, bringing some levity to Clevelanders during campaign season.

However, the candidate-themed candy didn’t immediately become a best-seller. While the concept kicked off in 2000, it wasn’t until 2016, when Donald Trump entered the political scene, that these novelty treats started to fly off the shelves. “There’s something about Trump that people feel strongly about, whether they love him or not,” Scheiman noted. Now, as customers prepare for both Halloween and Election Day, the store has already seen a surge in purchases, with sales numbers tracking similarly to the 2020 race. As of October 29, just a week before Election Day, Trump-branded candy bars have captured the lion’s share, making up 70% of sales, while 27% of buyers have chosen Harris bars. Meanwhile, the fictional candidate Peter Pez has secured a modest 3% of the candy vote. In 2020, when Trump faced Joe Biden, the numbers were similarly lopsided, with Trump-themed candy bars accounting for 72% of sales, Biden at 24%, and Peter Pez holding onto 4%. The sales of candidate-themed sodas mirror these figures closely, with Trump at 71%, Harris at 24%, and Pez at 5%.

But for those hoping these numbers might serve as an informal election poll, Scheiman cautions that candy sales are more about novelty than political insight. “It’s fun to think about, but we’re not here to predict the election,” he said, smiling. “People are passionate about certain candidates, and that’s why they buy the candy. For some, it’s a show of support; for others, it’s more like a joke or a fun gift.”

The candidate-themed candy bars and sodas are carefully organized in-store for an extra wink to the political divide. Harris bars, wrapped in blue, are displayed on the left side of the stand, while Trump bars in red line the right. Peter Pez, wrapped in purple, is, fittingly, front and center. “Harris bars are on the left side, Trump bars are on the right side, and Peter Pez bars are right in the middle,” Scheiman explained. “That is who we support in the election, Peter Pez,” he added, clearly delighted with the joke.

B.A. Sweetie’s involvement in election season started with a different treat altogether: bubble gum cigars featuring the candidates’ faces. But over time, the cigars were phased out in favor of chocolate bars, which have proven to be a bigger hit. The bars themselves are made by Astor Chocolates and then branded in-house at Sweetie’s with labels featuring each candidate. The playful concept of campaign candy has kept customers coming back, with some even collecting bars as souvenirs, making this tradition a uniquely Cleveland phenomenon.

With thousands of bars still in stock and a steady stream of customers, Scheiman expects sales to peak as Election Day draws closer. “The closer we get, the more people want to buy them, whether for Halloween handouts, office parties, or just for a laugh,” he said. For those who want to bring a touch of political humor to their trick-or-treat offerings or simply enjoy a snack that’s part of Cleveland’s quirky election tradition, there’s still time to grab a Trump, Harris, or Peter Pez bar.

This year’s election-themed candy has already become a conversation starter across Cleveland, with people stopping by to pick up their favorite candidate’s candy as a fun gift or personal treat. While it may not predict the election’s outcome, the candy at B.A. Sweetie provides a unique way to lighten the mood during a tense political season.

For Clevelanders looking to get in on the joke or add a unique treat to their Halloween stash, B.A. Sweetie’s candy and soda lineup offers the perfect blend of sugar, humor, and local flair; something Clevelanders have come to expect every four years from the world’s largest candy store.