1930 Minnesota gubernatorial election

The 1930 Minnesota gubernatorial election took place on November 4, 1930. It was the first gubernatorial race to start in Minnesota since the beginning of the Great Depression, which contributed to the meteoric rise of the Farmer–Labor Party in the state. Farmer–Labor Party candidate Floyd B. Olson decisively defeated Republican Party of Minnesota challenger Raymond P. Chase.

Floyd B. Olson would embark on his second gubernatorial run, facing challenger Carl E. Taylor. Olson would win in a landslide.

• Floyd B. Olson, County Attorney of Hennepin County

• Carl E. Taylor, Court Commissioner of Aitkin County

With no incumbent, the Republican primary was crowded with candidates. Raymond P. Chase would be the nominee. The primary election was held on June 16, 1930.

• Raymond P. Chase, Minnesota State Auditor

• Albert Lagerstedt, member of the Minnesota House of Representatives

• Eivind Klaveness, former head of the Moderation League of Minnesota

• Joseph A.A. Burnquist, former Governor of Minnesota

• Nathaniel J. Holmberg, Former Minnesota Senate

• Paul F. Dehnel, newspaper publisher

• Edward Indrehus, Former member of the Minnesota House of Representatives
• Floyd B. Olson, County Attorney of Hennepin County
• Karl Reeve, Candidate for Mayor of St. Paul
• Raymond P. Chase, Minnesota State Auditor

Olson campaigned on a number of progressive reforms. One of these was old-age pension, which would become social security. For this policy, he collaborated with the Women's Welfare League. Olson opposed the creation of new departments of law enforcement, instead arguing for expanded powers and usage of pre-existing organizations. The one exception was a proposal for a Board of Parole, a criminal investigation organization independent from the Police and Prison systems. The plan was wildly supported, and was endorsed by the Minneapolis Police Department, and judges Oscar Hallam, and John Meighen.

Olson was careful in his campaign to attack the Republican Party, but not Republicans themselves. Olson argued that the Republican Party itself was under the control of special interest groups and was no longer serving its base. Olson thus found much success among Republicans.

A cause of contention between the two candidates was on the policy of reforestation. In 1926, Article X, Section 2 of the Minnesota Constitution was passed by the public to allow for the state government to enforce reforestation laws. Olson argued that the state government had taken little action with these new powers, and that all that had been done was to create an illusion on paper that action was being taken. Chase refuted this, stating that these claims were proof that the Farmer-Labor party had been 'taken-over' by Minneapolis politicians with no understanding of the ongoing in the north of the state. Chase went on to state that the Republican party's success in agricultural and industrial policy should be a larger focus instead.

Chase made a point in his campaign to receive no party funding, instead his campaign would be financed entirely from donations individuals. Olson disputed this was true, which Chase called 'gross ignorance'.

Chase ended his campaign the day before election day with a final address to the Ramsey County Women's Republican Club.

• List of Minnesota gubernatorial elections

Minnesota Historical Elections Archive