1904 Minnesota gubernatorial election

The 1904 Minnesota gubernatorial election took place on November 8, 1904. Democratic Party of Minnesota candidate John Albert Johnson defeated Republican Party of Minnesota challenger Robert C. Dunn. Incumbent Samuel Rinnah Van Sant was not seeking a second term.

• Andrew W. M. Anderson, Chairman of the Socialist Labor Party (Socialist Labor)
• Charles W. Dorsett, attorney (Prohibition)
• Jay E. Nash, Socialist Party of Minnesota Founder (Public Ownership)
• John Albert Johnson, State Senator (Democratic)
• Robert C. Dunn, Former Minnesota State Auditor (Republican)

The Republican State Convention was held on June 29, 1904. Three candidates participated in the primary, Robert C. Dunn, Loren W. Collins, and Frank Eddy. Dunn would be nominated. Dunn was popular throughout the state, but was unpopular within the twin cities, which stood staunchly for Collins.

The Democratic State Convention was held on August 25, 1904. Having previously refused in 1902, Johnson's announcement that he would run in 1904 was met with excitement from the Democrats. Johnson was nominated unanimously. There were worries about internal division, as much of the party was still strongly under the influence of former governor (now congressman) John Lind. Despite their political rivalry within their party, Johnson and Lind would make no effort against each other electorally. Despite his popularity Johnson did not actually desire to be governor, later describing the nomination as "unsought and undesired."

Despite an initially slow campaign, Johnson would be able to begin to gain a lead over Dunn, by convincing Republican supporters of Collins to switch and vote Democrat. Dunn, being more conservative than Johnson was unable to win these more progressive voters back. There were conservative democrats who supported Dunn, but not nearly enough to offset Johnson's lead.

• List of Minnesota gubernatorial elections

Minnesota Historical Election Archive