1974 Minnesota gubernatorial election

The 1974 Minnesota gubernatorial election took place on November 5, 1974. The 1974 election was the first election where the Governor and Lieutenant Governor ran on the same ticket. Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party candidate Wendell Anderson defeated Republican Party of Minnesota challenger John W. Johnson.

1974 Minnesota gubernatorial election

November 5, 1974

Nominee Wendell Anderson John W. Johnson Party Democratic (DFL) Republican Running mate Rudy Perpich Dwaine Hoberg Popular vote 786,787 376,722 Percentage 62.80% 29.35%

County results Anderson:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

Governor before election Wendell Anderson Democratic (DFL) Elected Governor Wendell Anderson Democratic (DFL)

Anderson won every single county in the state, becoming the first person to do so in a gubernatorial election since Joseph Burnquist in 1916. This was the first gubernatorial election with eight candidates on the ballot, as well as the first election to feature a Libertarian Party ticket on a Minnesota ballot.

DFL primary

Candidates

• Wendell Anderson, incumbent Governor since 1971
  • Running mate: Rudy Perpich, incumbent Lieutenant Governor since 1971
• Tom McDonald, perennial candidate from Minneapolis
  • Running mate: Marvin Eakman, perennial candidate from Minneapolis

Results

1974 DFL gubernatorial primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic (DFL)	Wendell Anderson (incumbent)	254,671	78.23%
	Democratic (DFL)	Tom McDonald	70,871	21.77%
Total votes			325,542	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• John W. Johnson, State Representative from Minneapolis
  • Running mate: Dwaine Hoberg, mayor of Moorhead and former Moorhead State University football coach

Results

1974 Republican gubernatorial primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	John Warren Johnson	136,395	100.00%
Total votes			136,395	100.00%

General election

Candidates

• Wendell Anderson, incumbent Governor since 1971 (DFL)
  • Running mate: Rudy Perpich, incumbent Lieutenant Governor since 1971
• John W. Johnson, State Representative from Minneapolis (Republican)
  • Running mate: Dwaine Hoberg, mayor of Moorhead and former Moorhead State University football coach
• Richard Kleinow, North Oaks resident (Libertarian)
  • Running mate: Claudia Jensen, Apple Valley resident
• Erwin Marquist, University of Minnesota physics professor (Communist)
  • Running mate: James Flower, retired Minneapolis building tradesman
• Jim Miles, electrical engineer (Independent)
  • Running mate: Laura Miles, non-practicing attorney and wife of James Miles
• Harry Pool, mayor of Independence (American)
  • Running mate: Elvera Jaspersen, state campaign director for John Schmitz in 1972
• Jane Van Deusen, Minneapolis registered nurse (Socialist Workers)
  • Running mate: Ralph Schwartz, Minneapolis junior high science teacher

Results

1974 Minnesota gubernatorial election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic (DFL)	Wendell Anderson (incumbent)	786,787	62.80%	+8.76%
	Republican	John W. Johnson	376,722	29.35%	−16.18%
	Independent	James Miles	60,150	4.80%	n/a
	American	Harry Pool	20,454	1.63%	n/a
	Socialist Workers	Jane VanDeusen	9,232	0.74%	n/a
	Communist	Erwin Marquit	3,570	0.28%	n/a
	Industrial Government	Genevieve Gunderson	2,720	0.22%	−0.13%
	Libertarian	Richard Kleinow	2,115	0.17%	n/a
Majority			419,065	33.45%
Turnout			1,252,750
	Democratic (DFL) hold		Swing

External links

• http://www.sos.state.mn.us/home/index.asp?page=653
• http://www.sos.state.mn.us/home/index.asp?page=657