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
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
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
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.
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."
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.
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 Dispatch October 6, 1934 109,156 – 30% 43% 27%
Results
References
See also List of Minnesota gubernatorial elections
External links Minnesota Historical Election Archive