1956 Minnesota gubernatorial election

none January 2025 September 2023 1956 Minnesota gubernatorial election Minnesota 1893 presidential no 1954 Minnesota gubernatorial election 1954 1958 Minnesota gubernatorial election 1958 November 6, 1956 File:Orville L. Freeman (MN).png 150x150px Orville Freeman Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party 731,180 51.41% File:AncherNelsen2.jpg Ancher Nelsen Republican Party (United States) 685,196 48.18% 1956 Minnesota gubernatorial election results map by county.svg 280px County resultsFreeman: #7996e2 50–60% #6674de 60–70% #584cde 70–80%Nelsen: #ffb2b2 40–50% #e27f7f 50–60% #d75d5d 60–70% Governor Orville Freeman Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party Orville Freeman Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party The 1956 Minnesota gubernatorial election took place on November 6, 1956. Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party candidate Orville Freeman defeated Republican Party of Minnesota challenger Ancher Nelsen. Democratic-Farmer-Labor primary Freeman was renominated. Candidates Nominated Orville Freeman, incumbent Eliminated in primary Thomas P. Duffy, electrician Francis P. McGrath, softwater conditioning business owner Mamie Norby, teacher Results Democratic-Farmer-Labor primary results Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party Orville Freeman 269,740 89.50% Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party Francis P. McGrath 13,910 4.62% Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party Thomas P. Duffy 12,851 4.26% Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party Mamie Norby 4,876 1.62% 301,377 100% Governor, 1956 Election Minnesota Historical Election Archive https://mnelectionarchive.datamade.us/election/2319564015020600/ Republican primary Nelsen was nominated. Candidates Nominated Ancher Nelsen, former lieutenant governor Eliminated in primary Paul Indykiewicz, welder Walt Warner, salesman Results Republican Party of Minnesota primary results Republican Party (United States) Ancher Nelsen 283,844 94.40% Republican Party (United States) Walt Warner 12,195 4.06% Republican Party (United States) Paul Indykiewicz 4,654 1.55% 300,693 100% Governor, 1956 Election Minnesota Historical Election Archive https://mnelectionarchive.datamade.us/election/2319564015020600/ General election Candidates Orville Freeman, incumbent (DFL) Rudolph Gustafson, plumber (Industrial Government) Ancher Nelsen, former lieutenant governor (Republican) Endorsements Orville Freeman (DFL) 3 Statewide officials Hjalmar Petersen, former governorFreeman Gets Petersen Nod May 12, 1956 St. Paul Pioneer Press https://newspaperhub.mnhs.org/?a=d&d=sppp19560512.1.12&srpos=4&e=------195-en-20--1--img-txIN-Freeman----1956------- Ancher Nelsen (R) 3 Executive branch officials Dwight D. Eisenhower, incumbent presidentVoters Swing to Ancher Nelsen November 5, 1956 St. Paul Pioneer Press https://newspaperhub.mnhs.org/?a=d&d=sppp19561105.1.22&srpos=2&e=------195-en-20--1--img-txIN-Nelsen----1956------- Campaigns During his campaign, Nelsen visited a hospital in Hastings, Minnesota. He described the conditions as "shocking", and questioned Freeman's claimed successes in healthcare. Nelsen invited Freeman to join him in visiting hospitals around the state, "to determine the facts."Nelsen Urges Hospital Probe St. Paul Pioneer Press October 31, 1956 https://newspaperhub.mnhs.org/?a=d&d=sppp19561031.1.7&srpos=4&e=------195-en-20--1--img-txIN-Nelsen----1956------- Nelsen was the first gubernatorial candidate to appear on television during his campaign.NELSEN ON TV St. Paul Pioneer Press September 8, 1956 https://newspaperhub.mnhs.org/?a=d&d=sppp19560908.1.13&srpos=2&e=------195-en-20--1--img-txIN-Indorse+Nelsen----1956------- Freeman argued that a four-year term would be preferable for governor, opposed to the current two-year terms. Freeman believed that two years was not a sufficient amount of time for programs to be fully implemented and given a fair chance.Freeman Backs 4-Year Term October 31, 1956 St. Paul Pioneer Press https://newspaperhub.mnhs.org/?a=d&d=sppp19561031.1.9&srpos=2&e=------195-en-20--1--img-txIN-Backs+Freeman----1956------- Prior to official results, Nelsen was expected to win the election. Debates This was the first gubernatorial election in Minnesota in which debates were held. + 1956 Minnesota gubernatorial election debates No. Number Date Host Republican DFLKey:black #90ff90  P  Participant  black #ff9090  A  Absent  black #FFFFDD  N  Non-invitee  black #CCFFCC  I  Invitee #f0e68c W Withdrawn Ancher Nelsen Orville Freeman 1 November 2, 1956 Mount Olivet Lutheran ChurchFreeman And Nelsen Hold Debate November 3, 1956 St. Paul Pioneer Press https://newspaperhub.mnhs.org/?a=d&d=sppp19561103.1.2&srpos=3&e=------195-en-20--1--img-txIN-Freeman----1956------- P P Results 1956 gubernatorial election, Minnesota Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party Orville Freeman (incumbent) 731,180 51.41% -1.31% Republican Party (United States) Ancher Nelsen 685,196 48.18% +1.38% Industrial Government Party (United States) Rudolph Gustafson 5,785 0.41% -0.07% 45,984 3.23% 1,422,161 Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party See also List of Minnesota gubernatorial elections References External links Minnesota Historical Election Archive Minnesota Gubernatorial 1956 Category:November 1956 in the United States