1934 Minnesota gubernatorial election

none January 2025 September 2023 1934 Minnesota gubernatorial election Minnesota 1893 presidential no 1932 Minnesota gubernatorial election 1932 1936 Minnesota gubernatorial election 1936 November 6, 1934 File:FloydBOlson.jpg Floyd B. Olson Farmer–Labor Party 468,812 44.61% Martin A. Nelson.png Martin A. Nelson Republican Party (United States) 396,359 37.72% John E. Regan.jpg John E. Regan Democratic Party (United States) 176,928 16.84% 1934 Minnesota gubernatorial election results map by county.svg 280px County results Olson: #b4f1b4 40–50% #7fe27f 50–60% #4fd44f 60–70%Nelson: #ffc8cd 30–40% #ffb2b2 40–50% #e27f7f 50–60%Regan: #bdd3ff 30–40% #a5b0ff 40–50% #7996e2 50–60% Governor Floyd B. Olson Farmer–Labor Party Floyd B. Olson Farmer–Labor Party The 1934 Minnesota gubernatorial election took place on November 6, 1934. Farmer-Labor candidate Floyd B. Olson defeated Republican challenger Martin A. Nelson and returning Democratic challenger John E. Regan, who had previously run against him in 1932. The election took place during the Great Depression. Farmer-Labor primary The Farmer-Labor Ppimary election was held on June 18, 1933. Floyd Olson was renominated for a third term. Olson was challenged by John Lind III, who had no known relation to previous governor John Lind. Candidates Nominated Floyd B. Olson, incumbent Eliminated in primary John Lind III, farmer Results Farmer-Labor Party of Minnesota primary results Farmer-Labor Party Floyd B. Olson 238,821 87.77% Farmer-Labor Party John Lind III 33,268 12.23% 272,089 100% Governor, 1934 Election Minnesota Historical Election Archive https://mnelectionarchive.datamade.us/election/2319344032420600/ Republican primary The Republican primary was held on June 18, 1934. Martin A. Nelson won the primary. Candidates Nominated Martin A. Nelson, attorney Eliminated in primary Edgar Bernard, farmer Arthur B. Gilbert, president of the Recovery League of Minnesota Knute Sandum, newspaper publisher Results Republican Party of Minnesota primary results Republican Party (United States) Martin A. Nelson 117,893 73.50% Republican Party (United States) Arthur B. Gilbert 17,536 10.93% Republican Party (United States) Edgar Bernard 13,524 8.43% Republican Party (United States) Knute Sandum 11,442 7.13% 160,395 100% Governor, 1934 Election Minnesota Historical Election Archive https://mnelectionarchive.datamade.us/election/2319344015020600/ Democratic primary The Democratic primary was a crowded battle among eight candidates. John E. Regan, who was the Democratic nominee in 1932, won his second primary. Nominated John E. Regan, former member of the Minnesota House of Representatives Eliminated in primary Silas M. Bryan, attorney Matthew F. Eusterman, dentist James Hegland, harness maker Joseph J. Moriarty, former member of the Minnesota House of Representatives, former mayor of Shakopee, Minnesota Albert Pfaender, member of the Minnesota House of Representatives Fred Schilplin, newspaper editor Oliver Skellet, transfer company manager Results Democratic Party of Minnesota primary results Democratic Party (United States) John E. Regan 91,076 34.62% Democratic Party (United States) Fred Schilplin 68,649 26.10% Democratic Party (United States) Albert Pfaender 39,386 14.97% Democratic Party (United States) Oliver Skellet 24,923 9.47% Democratic Party (United States) Silas M. Bryan 16,539 6.29% Democratic Party (United States) Joseph J. Moriarty 9,239 3.51% Democratic Party (United States) James Hegland 7,733 2.94% Democratic Party (United States) Matthew F. Eusterman 5,504 2.09% 263,049 100% Governor, 1934 Election Minnesota Historical Election Archive https://mnelectionarchive.datamade.us/election/2319344010020600/ Candidates Samuel K. Davis, journalist (Communist) Martin A. Nelson, attorney (Republican) Floyd B. Olson, incumbent (Farmer-Labor) John E. Regan, former member of the Minnesota House of Representatives (Democrat) Arthur C. Townley, founder of the National Non-Partisan League Campaigns Early in the campaign, in March of 1934, Olson declared himself a Radical, not a Liberal, as many had attempted to frame him. Amid accusations of being a Communist, he stated that he was not a Communist, nor was Communism an immediate threat to the United States or Minnesota. Olson argued that if any ideology should be of concern, it should be Fascism. A journalist of the time mocked Olson, saying that if there was a real threat of fascism, Olson was the only person who knew about it. Olson was unable to dispel the ideological concerns of his most vocal critics.WHAT OLSON INTENDS. March 31, 1934 https://newspaperhub.mnhs.org/?a=d&d=sppp19340331.1.4&srpos=36&e=------193-en-20--21--img-txIN-Olson----1934------- Olson criticized those who opposed his policies, notably calling out State Senators Anton J. Rockne, J. V. Weber and Claude MacKenzie for opposing a $5,000,000 relief bill, stating, "These men were willing to play politics with human misery."OLSON NAMES FOES OF HIS RELIEF BILL October 10, 1934 https://newspaperhub.mnhs.org/?a=d&d=sppp19341010.1.3&srpos=9&e=------193-en-20--1--img-txIN-Olson----1934------- Townley's campaign was considered hopeful for the Republicans, since it was thought that Olson's voter base would be split to their advantage. Townley was running on a more moderate Farmer-Labor platform.Johnston C.D. MINNESOTA’S POLITICS AND POLITICIANS September 17, 1934 https://newspaperhub.mnhs.org/?a=d&d=sppp19340917.1.6&srpos=35&e=------193-en-20--21--img-txIN-Olson----1934------- Straw vote This election was the second gubernatorial election in Minnesota in which a straw poll was conducted. Despite a large sample size, the straw poll massively over-predicted Nelson's performance, as the previous one in 1932 had over-predicted the performance of then-nominee Earle Brown. Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error FloydOlson (FL) Floyd B.Nelson (R) John E.Regan (D)Pioneer Press and DispatchNelson Holds Steady Lead in Newspaper Straw Vote as Latest Ballots Are Counted October 7, 1934 https://newspaperhub.mnhs.org/?a=d&d=sppp19341007.1.1&e=------193-en-20--1--img-txIN-Olson----1934------- October 6, 1934 109,156 – 30% 43% 27% Results 1934 gubernatorial election, Minnesota Farmer–Labor Party Floyd B. Olson (incumbent) 468,812 44.61% -5.96% Republican Party (United States) Martin A. Nelson 396,359 37.72% +5.38% Democratic Party (United States) John E. Regan 176,928 16.84% +0.39% Independent politician Arthur C. Townley 4,454 0.42% n/a Communist Party USA Samuel K. Davis 4,334 0.41% -0.05% 72,453 6.89% 1,050,887 Farmer–Labor Party References See also List of Minnesota gubernatorial elections External links Minnesota Historical Election Archive Minnesota Gubernatorial 1934 Category:November 1934 in the United States