1944 Minnesota gubernatorial election

Election taking place on November 7, 1944 January 2025 September 2023 1944 Minnesota gubernatorial election Minnesota 1893 presidential no 1942 Minnesota gubernatorial election 1942 1946 Minnesota gubernatorial election 1946 November 7, 1944 EdwardThye.jpg Edward John Thye Republican Party (United States) 701,185 61.59% Byron G. Allen High Res.png Byron G. Allen Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party 430,132 37.78% 1944 Minnesota gubernatorial election results map by county.svg 280px County resultsThye: #e27f7f 50–60% #d75d5d 60–70% #d72f30 70–80% #c21b18 80–90%Allen: #7996e2 50–60% #6674de 60–70% Governor Edward John Thye Republican Party of Minnesota Edward John Thye Republican Party of Minnesota The 1944 Minnesota gubernatorial election took place on November 7, 1944. Republican incumbent Edward John Thye defeated DFL challenger Byron G. Allen. The Democratic Party of Minnesota and Farmer–Labor Party had merged earlier in the year into the DFL, and this was the first election the newly formed party stood in. Thye had taken over as governor after Harold Stassen resigned to join the Navy, due to the ongoing Second World War. Republican primary Incumbent Edward John Thye was nominated for a term in his own right. Candidates Nominated Edward J. Thye, incumbent Eliminated in primary John C. Peterson, painter James D. Scarsdale Results Republican Party of Minnesota primary results Republican Party (United States) Edward John Thye 201,832 88.91% Republican Party (United States) John C. Peterson 19,697 8.68% Republican Party (United States) James D. Scarsdale 5,469 2.41% 226,998 100% Governor, 1944 Election Minnesota Historical Election Archive https://mnelectionarchive.datamade.us/election/2319444015020600/ Democratic-Farmer-Labor primary On April 7, 1944, as the DFL was being founded, a convention was held to determine if an early nomination could be decided. A unanimous agreement was made to nominate Hubert Humphrey. However, Humphrey stated his place was with the other young men serving in the war, and refused to run. He was 33 years old at the time. After Humphrey's refusal, Theodor S. Slen was asked, who also refused to run. The convention dragged past midnight, and through the night. Without a resolution, the convention adjourned at 2:30PM on April 8, after about 24 hours. The convention reconvened on April 9, with 98% of initial delegates returning. Harry Walsh was suggested, who was an attorney and Democrat who supported Farmer-Labor governor Floyd B. Olson, and was seen as a potentially uniting figure. However, he failed to gain support. The hastily put together primary election was held only a few days later, on April 16, 1944. Byron G. Allen was nominated. He was from the Democratic wing, as an unknown dark horse candidate. Allen's oratory skills were credited to his nomination. He was also supported by Vice President Henry A. Wallace. Mabel Caroline Wiesner was the first woman to run for governor.Quigley Walter E. Byron G. Allen, Fusion Dark Horse, Indorsed To Run for Governor St. Paul Pioneer Press April 17, 1944 https://newspaperhub.mnhs.org/?a=d&d=sppp19440417.1.1&e=------194-en-20--1--img-txIN-Allen----1944------- April 13, 2026 Candidates Nominated Byron G. Allen, former secretary of the Iowa Senate Eliminated in primary Emil E. Holmes, national secretary of World War Veterans Mabel Caroline Wiesner, stenographer Results Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party of Minnesota primary results Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party Byron G. Allen 56,950 56.10% Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party Emil E. Holmes 7,230 36.67% Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party Mabel Caroline Wiesner 7,338 7.23% 101,518 100% Governor, 1944 Election Minnesota Historical Election Archive https://mnelectionarchive.datamade.us/election/2319444010120600/ Candidates Byron G. Allen, former secretary of the Iowa Senate (DFL) Edward John Thye, incumbent (Republican) Gerald Mason York (Industrial Government) Campaign Thye gave a radio address in July of 1944 over KTSP in which he spoke of creating programs to guarantee jobs to returning soldiers after assumed victory in World War II. Thye devoted his campaign, and active administration, to post-war planning. His plan was to "give every possible encouragement to private industry, and to supplement private employment through a well-planned public construction program." He stated that the state was in its best financial situation in twenty years, with low debts and high income. Thye had ambitious plans for highway construction, amounting to a worth of $26,000,000.Thye Calls Post-War Jobs State Problem St. Paul Pioneer Press July 9, 1944 https://newspaperhub.mnhs.org/?a=d&d=sppp19440709.1.8&srpos=8&e=------194-en-20--1--img-txIN-thye----1944------- April 13, 2026 Allen ran as a liberal, running on a more moderate platform than the Farmer-Labor party had in previous elections, what was called "progressive but not radical". He made clear he believed conservatives had no place in the DFL. His strategy was to ensure the DFL fell in line with him and his campaign manager Hubert Humphrey, and once the party was united behind them, victory over the Republicans would follow.Parlin L.D. Keep 'Sanely Liberal', Allen Urges DFL St. Paul Pioneer Press August 12, 1944 https://newspaperhub.mnhs.org/?a=d&d=sppp19440812.1.1&srpos=15&e=------194-en-20--1--img-txIN-Allen----1944------- Allen was a supporter of Franklin D. Roosevelt, referred to Republican concerns over Roosevelt's long term a "phony issue", and brought attention to Harold Knutson, a Republican member of congress who had served for 26 years, compared to Roosevelt's twelve.Allen Hits GOP Tenure Plaint St. Paul Pioneer Press October 18, 1944 https://newspaperhub.mnhs.org/?a=d&d=sppp19441018.1.5&srpos=20&e=------194-en-20--1--img-txIN-Allen----1944------- Results 1944 gubernatorial election, Minnesota Republican Party (United States) Edward John Thye (incumbent) 701,185 61.59% +9.99% Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party Byron G. Allen 430,132 37.78% -9.44% Industrial Government Party (United States) Gerald M. York 7,151 0.63% +0.09% 271,053 23.81% 1,138,468 Republican Party (United States) See also List of Minnesota gubernatorial elections References External links Minnesota Historical Election Archive Minnesota Gubernatorial 1944 Category:November 1944 in the United States