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
Republican primary Nelsen was nominated.
Candidates
Nominated Ancher Nelsen, former lieutenant governor
Eliminated in primary Paul Indykiewicz, welder Walt Warner, salesman
Results
General election Candidates Orville Freeman, incumbent (DFL) Rudolph Gustafson, plumber (Industrial Government) Ancher Nelsen, former lieutenant governor (Republican)
Endorsements
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 was the first gubernatorial candidate to appear on television during his campaign.
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.
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+ 1956 Minnesota gubernatorial election debates Date Host Republican DFLKey: Participant Absent Non-invitee Invitee Withdrawn Ancher Nelsen Orville Freeman 1 November 2, 1956 Mount Olivet Lutheran Church
Results
See also List of Minnesota gubernatorial elections
References
External links Minnesota Historical Election Archive