1952 Minnesota gubernatorial election
.svg.png){kind=small} | |||||||||||||||||
November 4, 1952
| |||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||
 County results Anderson: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% Freeman: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% | |||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||
.png)
| Elections in Minnesota |
|---|
 |
The 1952 Minnesota gubernatorial election took place on November 4, 1952. Republican incumbent C. Elmer Anderson defeated Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party challenger Orville Freeman. At this point, it was the eighth consecutive Minnesota gubernatorial election won by the Republican Party.
C. Elmer Anderson became governor in 1951 after the resignation of Luther Youngdahl to become a federal judge. Anderson was running to be elected in his own right.
Republican Primary
Anderson was nominated. Sigrid Schmidt was the first Republican woman to run for governor and second in general. Mabel Caroline Wiesner, a DFLer, was the first woman in general, in 1944. Schmidt campaigned against water fluoridation, and claimed to have contact with extraterrestrials.[1]
Candidates
Nominated
- C. Elmer Anderson, Incumbent
Eliminated in Primary
- August Scramstad, Railroad tower worker
- John C. Peterson, Painter
- Stafford King, State Auditor
- Sigrid Schmidt, Homemaker
- Paul Indykiewicz, Welder
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | C. Elmer Anderson | 276,677 | 70.42% | |
| Republican | Stafford King | 102,823 | 26.17% | |
| Republican | John C. Peterson | 6,283 | 1.60% | |
| Republican | Sigrid Schmidt | 3,165 | 0.81% | |
| Republican | August Scramstad | 1,979 | 0.50% | |
| Republican | Paul Indykiewicz | 1,967 | 0.50% | |
| Total votes | 392,894 | 100% | ||
Democratic-Farmer-Labor Primary
Freeman was nominated, defeating Ryan in a landslide.
Candidates
Nominated
- Orville Freeman, DFL party chairman
Eliminated in Primary
- Ed Ryan, Hennepin County Sheriff
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic (DFL) | Orville Freeman | 173,946 | 71.14% | |
| Democratic (DFL) | Ed Ryan | 70,571 | 28.86% | |
| Total votes | 244,517 | 100% | ||
Candidates
- C. Elmer Anderson, Incumbent (Republican)
- Eldrid Bauers, Stationary engineer (Industrial Government)
- Martin Fredrickson, Farmer (Progressive)
- Orville Freeman, DFL Chairman (DFL)
Campaigns
In September, Freeman challenged Anderson to a debate. Anderson declined, stating that his campaign schedule was already set and it was too late in the campaign to change it. If the debate happened, it would have been the first gubernatorial debate in Minnesota.[4]
Freeman's campaign was mostly based on Anderson's lack of active campaigning. Freeman responded with extensive and details policy plans. His policy programs were called 'Freeman Programs'. The Freeman Programs were; increasing aid to schools so $100 is invested in every student, removing limits on old-age pension and provide housing to those of a needy age; conduct a survey of all industry in the state and send the results to universities so new industry can be developed from existing infrastructure; establish a well-planned forestry and reforestation program; And create a public health program for those with debilitating physical injuries and disabilities adjust into society.[5]
Polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Orville Freeman (DFL) |
C. Elmer Anderson (R) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Paul Pioneer Press[6] | October 12, 1952 | [a] | – | 31.4% | 68.6% |
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | C. Elmer Anderson (incumbent) | 785,125 | 55.33% | −5.41% | |
| Democratic (DFL) | Orville Freeman | 624,480 | 44.01% | +5.73% | |
| Progressive | Martin Fredrickson | 5,227 | 0.36% | n/a | |
| Industrial Government | Eldrid Bauers | 4,037 | 0.28% | −0.69% | |
| Majority | 160,645 | 11.32% | |||
| Turnout | 1,418,869 | ||||
| Republican hold | Swing | ||||
See also
Notes
- ↑ The total number of votes was not reported.
References
- ↑ Ostermeier, Dr. Eric (November 4, 2025). "Demuth, Robbins, and the Thin History of Women Running for Minnesota's GOP Gubernatorial Nomination". smart politics.
- ↑ "Governor, 1952 Election". Minnesota Historical Election Archive.
- ↑ "Governor, 1952 Election". Minnesota Historical Election Archive.
- ↑ "Freeman Asks Debate; No, C. Elmer Says". St. Paul Pioneer Press. September 19, 1952.
- ↑ "ORVILLE L. FREEMAN ATTACKS REPUBLICAN CONSPIRACY OF SILENCE, LACK OF LEADERSHIP". St. Paul Pioneer Press. November 2, 1952.
- ↑ "Ike, Anderson Get Big Margin". St. Paul Pioneer Press. November 2, 1952.
