The 1970 Minnesota gubernatorial election took place on November 3, 1970. Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL) candidate Wendell Anderson defeated Republican challenger Douglas M. Head. Incumbent Harold LeVander was not seeking a second term.
Republican primary Head was nominated.
Candidates Nominated Douglas M. Head, attorney general of Minnesota and former state representative from Minneapolis
Eliminated in primary Paul Moshier John C. Peterson, Duluth resident and perennial candidate Lorna Tarnowski, Chanhassen homemaker and candidate for governor in 1966
Results
Democratic-Farmer-Labor primary Anderson was nominated unanimously.
Candidates Nominated Wendell R. Anderson, state senator from St. Paul and 1956 Olympic silver medalist in ice hockey
Results
General election Candidates Wendell R. Anderson, state senator from St. Paul and 1956 Olympic gold medalist in ice hockey (DFL) Douglas M. Head, attorney general of Minnesota and former state representative from Minneapolis (Republican) Karl H. Heck, White Bear Lake resident (Industrial Government) Jack O. Kirkham, mayor of Fridley (write-in)
Campaigns The largest issue of the election was tax policy. Anderson campaigned on implementing a progressive income tax, and shifting the funding for education from local taxes to statewide taxes to deal with inequality. Head opposed Anderson's proposed school tax reforms, nicknaming him 'Spendy Wendy'. Head used the nickname in his campaigns, selling bumper stickers that read '$top $pendy Wendy'.
Debates This was only the third gubernatorial debate in Minnesota history. The previous one was in 1960.
+ 1970 Minnesota gubernatorial election debates Date Host Republican DFLKey: Participant Absent Non-invitee Invitee Withdrawn Douglas Head Wendell Anderson 1 October 1, 1970Citizens League
Results
External links Minnesota Historical Election Archive
References