1950 Minnesota gubernatorial election

none January 2025 September 2023 1950 Minnesota gubernatorial election Minnesota 1893 presidential no 1948 Minnesota gubernatorial election 1948 1952 Minnesota gubernatorial election 1952 November 7, 1950 Luther Youngdahl 1949 (cropped).jpg 150x150px Luther Youngdahl Republican Party (United States) 635,800 60.75% Harry H. Peterson 1932 Edit.jpg Harry H. Peterson Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party 400,637 38.28% 1950 Minnesota gubernatorial election results map by county.svg 280px County resultsYoungdahl: #e27f7f 50–60% #d75d5d 60–70% #d72f30 70–80%Peterson: #a5b0ff 40–50% #7996e2 50–60% Governor Luther Youngdahl Republican Party of Minnesota Luther Youngdahl Republican Party of Minnesota The 1950 Minnesota gubernatorial election took place on November 7, 1950. Republican incumbent Luther Youngdahl defeated Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party challenger Harry H. Peterson. Youngdahl secured a third term in office. Republican primary Youngdahl was renominated. Candidates Nominated Luther Youngdahl, incumbent Eliminated in primary Arthur B. Gilbert, president of the Recovery League of Minnesota John Haluska, hotel clerk Walter G. Olson, golf course manager August Scramstad, railroad tower worker Results Republican Party of Minnesota primary results Republican Party (United States) Luther Youngdahl 309,022 89.79% Republican Party (United States) Walter G. Olson 13,456 3.91% Republican Party (United States) Arthur B. Gilbert 10,156 2.95% Republican Party (United States) August Scramstad 6,230 1.81% Republican Party (United States) John Haluska 5,307 1.54% 344,171 100% Governor, 1950 Election Minnesota Historical Election Archive https://mnelectionarchive.datamade.us/election/2319504015020600/ Democratic-Farmer-Labor primary Peterson was nominated, defeating 1948 nominee Charles Halsted. Halsted, a member of the party's right wing, accused Peterson of being a communist. Peterson's campaign dispelled the accusations by pointing out that former governor Floyd Olson was also accused of communism, and that the actual Communist Party had denounced Peterson as "capitalistic".Parlin L.D. Peterson Aide Raps Halsted 'Red Smear' September 3, 1950 https://newspaperhub.mnhs.org/?a=d&d=sppp19500903.1.4&srpos=7&e=------195-en-20--1--img-txIN-Peterson----1950------- Following his defeat in the primary, Halsted endorsed Peterson.Halsted To Support Peterson For Governor November 5, 1950 https://newspaperhub.mnhs.org/?a=d&d=sppp19501105.1.1&srpos=8&e=------195-en-20--1--img-txIN-Peterson----1950------- Candidates Nominated Harry H. Peterson, former Minnesota attorney general and judge on the Minnesota Supreme Court Eliminated in primary James Dougherty, switchman Charles Halsted, former member of the Minnesota House of Representatives Hjalmar Petersen, former governor August Peterson, ironworker Joseph A. Ryan Results Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor primary results Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party Harry H. Peterson 107,357 47.48% Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party Charles Halsted 59,279 26.22%Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party Hjalmar Petersen 24,569 10.87% Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party Joseph A. Ryan 14,643 6.48% Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party James Dougherty 10,423 4.61% Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party August Peterson 9,853 4.36% 344,171 100% Governor, 1950 Election Minnesota Historical Election Archive https://mnelectionarchive.datamade.us/election/2319504010120600/ Candidates Vernon Campbell, beauty shop proprietor (Industrial Government) Harry H. Peterson, former Minnesota attorney general and judge on the Minnesota Supreme Court (DFL) Luther Youngdahl, incumbent (Republican) Campaigns Youngdahl received support from the presidents of Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Olaf College, Carleton College, Hamline University, Augsburg College, and Macalester College.Educators for Youngdahl October 22, 1950 St. Paul Pioneer Press https://newspaperhub.mnhs.org/?a=d&d=sppp19501022.1.23&srpos=1&e=------195-en-20--1--img-txIN-Youngdahl----1950------- Youngdahl expanded his ongoing campaign against gambling in the state. His administration had already enacted strict regulations on gambling. He believed that continuing his campaign against gambling would succeed in curbing the organized crime which he claimed relied on it for income.Youngdahl Would Curb Club Gaming July 7, 1950 St. Paul Pioneer Press https://newspaperhub.mnhs.org/?a=d&d=sppp19500707.1.24&srpos=14&e=------195-en-20--1--img-txIN-Youngdahl----1950------- Peterson attempted to appeal to the labor vote, including small business owners, and members of cooperatives. He claimed that Republicans were fiscally irresponsible, and that taxes were unfairly placed on the individual while lifted on businesses.GOP Threat To Co ops, Peterson Says August 21, 1950 St. Paul Pioneer Press https://newspaperhub.mnhs.org/?a=d&d=sppp19500821.1.36&srpos=28&e=------195-en-20--21--img-txIN-Peterson----1950------- Peterson intended to expand the tourism industry in Minnesota. He felt that Minnesota was falling behind Wisconsin an Michigan and not properly capitalizing on potential tourists from the Great Plains.Peterson Scores Tourist Program October 1, 1950 St. Paul Pioneer Press https://newspaperhub.mnhs.org/?a=d&d=sppp19501001.1.14&srpos=26&e=------195-en-20--21--img-txIN-Peterson----1950------- On October 17, 1950, the St. Paul League of Women Voters organized a shared event attended by Peterson and Youngdahl. Each candidate had the opportunity to give a 15-minute speech, and to take questions from the audience.AT WOMEN VOTERS MEETING — Youngdahl, Peterson To Share Platform October 15, 1950 St. Paul Pioneer Press https://newspaperhub.mnhs.org/?a=d&d=sppp19501015.1.34&srpos=31&e=------195-en-20--21--img-txIN-Youngdahl----1950------- Polling This was the third gubernatorial election in Minnesota in which a straw poll was conducted. The previous one was conducted in 1934. The poll predicted a nearly tied election, with 11,003 straw votes for Peterson and 11,005 straw votes for Youngdahl. Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error HarryPeterson (DFL) LutherYoungdahl (R)Jack Lyon's Annual Straw BallotFair Polling Gives Peterson 11,003, Youngdahl 11,005 September 10, 1950 St. Paul Pioneer Press https://newspaperhub.mnhs.org/?a=d&d=sppp19500910.1.18&srpos=20&e=------195-en-20--1--img-txIN-Youngdahl----1950------- August 30 – September 1, 1950 22,008 – 49.995% 50.005% Results 1950 gubernatorial election, Minnesota Republican Party (United States) Luther Youngdahl (incumbent) 635,800 60.75% +7.59% Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party Harry H. Peterson 400,637 38.28% -6.79% Industrial Government Party (United States) Vernon Campbell 10,195 0.97% +0.43% 235,163 22.47% 1,046,632 Republican Party (United States) See also List of Minnesota gubernatorial elections References External links Minnesota Historical Election Archive 1950 Minnesota Gubernatorial Category:November 1950 in the United States