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1912 Minnesota gubernatorial election

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1912 Minnesota gubernatorial election
←1910 November 5, 1912 1914→
Nominee Adolph Olson Eberhart Peter M. Ringdal Paul V. Collins
Party Republican Democratic Progressive
Popular vote 129,688 99,659 33,455
Percentage 40.73% 31.30% 10.51%
Nominee Engebret E. Lobeck David Morgan
Party Prohibition Public Ownership
Popular vote 29,876 25,769
Percentage 9.38% 8.09%
County results

Eberhart: 30-40% 40-50% 50-60%
Ringdal: 30-40% 40-50% 50–60%
Lobeck: 30-40%

Morgan:30-40%
Governor before election

Adolph O. Eberhart
Republican

Elected Governor

Adolph Olson Eberhart
Republican

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The1912 Minnesota gubernatorial electiontook place on November 5, 1912.Republican Party of MinnesotacandidateAdolph Olson EberhartdefeatedDemocratic Party of MinnesotachallengerPeter M. Ringdal.

Republican primary

[edit]

Background

[edit]

In 1909, then-Lieutenant Governor Adolph Eberhart ascended to the governorship after the death of Democratic GovernorJohn A. Johnson.Eberhart entered office during a time of political upheaval in Minnesota.

TheDemocratshad not won the governorship in Minnesota from 1860 until nearly 1900 whenJohn Lindwas elected Governor in1898in a union ticket with thePeople's Party.Since then, Democrats had been able to consolidate significantthird-partymovements in Minnesota and had won the governorship in1904,1906,and1908under GovernorJohn A. Johnsonwhose reforms had won him bipartisan appeal. He was compared toAbraham Lincolnand was hailed as an "idol of the people."[1]

However, Democrats had not successfully consolidated all third parties in Minnesota. TheProhibition Party,formerly allied with the Republicans, was gaining strength in the run up to the passage of the18th Amendment.Additionally, a Socialist Party popular with Scandinavian immigrants had sprung up on theIron Rangeunder the name of thePublic Ownership Party.[2]

Not only were Republicans contending with a newly strong Democratic Party and insurgent third parties, but also with a significant rebellion from their own voters. Just as such a rift had festered in thepresidential election,the divide between progressive Republicans and reactionary Republicans grew to a fever pitch in Minnesota. Progressive Republicans held that reactionary Republicans (like Governor Eberhart) had been using their political machine to hold up popular reforms of the day, likereferendums,recall elections,and railroad regulations.[3]

All these factors were amplified by the fact that this was Minnesota's first ever statewide primary in 1912.[3]

Cartoon published in theMinneapolis Tribuneon July 28, depictingGovernor Eberhartrunning off withGordonandYoung's clothes

Campaign

[edit]

Early in 1912, it was speculated that incumbent SenatorKnute Nelsonwould not be running for a third term under a new Minnesota law that provided for the direct election of United States Senators. Governor Eberhart reportedly dashed his plans of running for reelection and was planning on running for Nelson's seat.[4]Days later, however, Eberhart announced his plans to run for reelection on January 12 after Nelson announced his run for the Senate.[5]

Three days later, formerSpeaker of the Minnesota HouseWilliam E. Leeand Lieutenant GovernorSam Y. Gordonthrew their hats in the ring.[6]At an event inBrowns Valley,Gordon characterized his run for governor "as a challenge of the right of... [business] interests to dominate public affairs, and to dictate party policies."

In early February, Lewis C. Spooner, a more traditional Republican, was reportedly encouraging Edwin H. Canfield, a former state senator fromLuverne,to run for governor and take votes from Eberhart. Canfield declined, which forced Spooner into the race by April.[7][8]

Starting in May, non-binding Republican county conventions showed deep distaste for the incumbent governor. At the first convention inKandiyohi County,Eberhart did not carry a single precinct.[9]

After the passage of the bill calling for Minnesota's first statewide primary, Edward Young, ofAppleton,announced his candidacy for the governorship in late June.[10]In early July, a political newcomer by the name of Martin Falk jumped into the race. He was considered so obscure that the Duluth Herald remarked that he would "very likely never be Governor of Minnesota."[11]

By late July, a rift had formed between the serious candidates. After the contentious1912 Republican National Convention,Gordon announced that he would not supportWilliam Taft's candidacy and would supportTeddy Roosevelt's bid instead. Eberhart and Spooner vowed to support the party's choice of Taft. This, coupled with the announcement that the primary would beranked-choice,inspired Eberhart's campaign to publish a paper denouncing Lee, Gordon, and Young, but leaving critiques of Spooner out, thus offering Spooner a tacit endorsement for second choice.[12]Later, Young announced that he would support DemocratWoodrow Wilsonin thepresidential election.[13]

The 1912 harvest season was especially strong in Minnesota, which left farmers too busy to attend political rallies. The candidates all abandoned their speaking tours for weeks during August as no one could rally enough support to fill a hall. One farmer remarked "My wheat means more to me than who is going to be elected."[14]

In late August, as the primary date approached, progressive Republicans worried that their candidates were splitting the anti-Eberhart vote. They had hoped the second-choice provision on ballots would save them, but voters were increasingly skeptical of the option. Notably, Gordon's campaign manager quit and Gordon nearly dropped out.[15]

The final days of the campaign were marked with controversy over the second-choice provision and endorsements from various groups and politicians. The Duluth Herald proclaimed the coming primary to be the "Last Stand of [the] Republican Machine."[3]

Candidates

[edit]

Nominated

[edit]

Eliminated in Primary

[edit]

Withdrawn

[edit]

Declined

[edit]

Endorsements

[edit]
Adolph O. Eberhart (GOP)

Mayors

City Officials

Party Organizations

William Lee (GOP)

United States Senators

National organizations

Party Organizations

  • Minnesota Republican Progressive League[24]
Edward Young (GOP)

State Elected Officials

  • George T. Simpson, former Minnesota Attorney General[25]

Results

[edit]
Results by county:
Eberhart
  • 20-30%
  • 30-40%
  • 40-50%
  • 50-60%
  • 60-70%
    Eberhart and Lee tied in the 30-40% range in Douglas County
Lee
  • 30-40%
  • 40-50%
  • 60-70%
    Eberhart and Lee tied in the 30-40% range in Douglas County
Young
  • 30-40%
  • 40-50%
  • 50-60%
Spooner
  • 20-30%
  • 50-60%
Gordon
  • 50-60%

For this primary, theMinnesota Republican Partyused aranked-choicesystem. In its implementation, the system was mistrusted by voters who believed their first choices would be ignored for their second choices by party operatives. As a result, less than 10% of voters indicated a second choice.[26]Only second choices were allowed.

The primary was held on September 17.

Runoff round tabulation[27]
Candidate Round 1 Round 2 Round 3 Round 4 Round 5
votes

(% of active)

transfer votes

(% of active)

transfer votes

(% of active)

transfer votes

(% of active)

transfer votes

(% of active)

Adolph Olson Eberhart 62,402 38.0% +671 63,073 39.6% +555 63,628 42.2% +769 64,397 45.8% +2,160 66,557 57.5%
William E. Lee 40,571 24.7% +363 40,934 25.7% +1,699 42,633 28.2% +983 43,616 31.0% +5,497 49,113 42.5%
Edward T. Young 30,398 18.5% +260 30,658 19.3% +1,138 31,796 21.1% +878 32,674 23.2% -32,674
Lewis C. Spooner 12,233 7.5% +178 12,411 7.8% +449 12,860 8.5% -12,860
Sam Y. Gordon 11,927 7.3% +221 12,148 7.6% -12,148
Martin F. Falk 6,536 4.0% -6,536
Active Ballots(% of Valid) 164,067 100% 159,224 97.0% 150,917 92.0% 140,687 85.7% 115,670 70.5%
Exhausted Ballots(% of Valid) 0 0.0% +4,843 4,843 3.0% +8,307 13,150 8.0% +10,230 23,380 14.3% +25,017 48,397 29.5%

Democratic primary

[edit]

Background

[edit]

Minnesota had been a Republican stronghold for decades, but it appeared that this Republican dominance was waning. The Republicans, divided between their reactionary and progressive factions, were more concerned with fighting among themselves than fighting the historically weakMinnesota Democratic Party.Having built something of a bench in the state, Minnesota Democrats were optimistic for 1912, as were outside observers.The Duluth Heraldremarked that "there was never a time in Minnesota when the Democratic outlook was so bright."[28]

Campaign

[edit]

Peter M. Ringdal was first mentioned for the governorship early in 1912, along with other Minnesota Democrats.[29]He was known as a "true progressive" and one of the leaders of the progressive movement in Minnesota. One paper remarked that Ringdal was theNestorof Minnesota progressives.[30]

In March, prominent members of the Minnesota Democratic Party met to discuss the coming party convention and primary. In their meeting, they expressed that they believedWoodrow Wilsonwould receive the state's Democratic delegates.[31]They also expressed confidence that then-Congressman Winfield Scott Hammond would be a good candidate for governor, though they would settle for Ringdal as a decent second choice.

In April, the Minneapolis Democratic Party endorsed Charles M. Andrist, aFrench languageprofessor at theUniversity of Minnesota.[32]Andrist had not yet decided to run for governor, so the endorsement came as a surprise. On May 23, Andrist officially entered the race and unveiled his platform at a banquet in Minneapolis.[33]His platform included some favorite progressive reforms of the day, like thepopular election of Senators,campaign finance reforms,and allowing high schools to teach agricultural studies.

In late July, both Ringdal and Andrist officially paid the $50 filing fee.[34]The Democratic organization in Minnesota asked Andrist to withdraw and support Ringdal to boost their chances of winning in the general election.[35]This was part of a theme that year: the Democratic organization, sensing a weakly united Republican organization, was seeking to forward their strongest ticket without any primary challenges. However, their attempt to crowd out Andrist seems to have emboldened another professor, who told many that he had decided to run for governor: Peter M. Magnusson ofSt. Cloud.[36]He never officially filed, however, and did not appear on primary ballots.

Representative government without direct popular control of its politics is a relic of an age that is gone.

Peter M. Ringdal,The Duluth Herald[37]

As the campaign got underway, Ringdal positioned himself as a progressive Democrat. His platform supported popular reforms such asinitiative and referendum,workmen's compensation,and aprogressive tax structure.[37]Though Andrist, Ringdal's only competitor, was understood to be a man of "high character," he remained an unknown entity whose platform was not well-known and who was without a particularly organized campaign.[38]

OnLabor Day,Ringdal was joined by progressive Republican James Peterson to speak at the Labor Day festivities inDuluth.He spoke at length in support ofunionsand ofbreaking up trusts.[39]

In the final weeks of the campaign, observers accused Ringdal of being the candidate of the "Democrat machine," just as they had accused Governor Eberhart of being a product of the Republican "machine."[40]It was noted that Ringdal campaigned little compared to Andrist and was seemingly expecting the nomination without having to campaign.[41]

In the final days of the campaign, it was remarked by many local newspapers that Ringdal was the heavy favorite.[42]

Endorsements

[edit]
Peter M. Ringdal (Dem)

Newspapers

  • Freeborn County Standard[43]

Candidates

[edit]

Nominated

[edit]
  • Peter M. Ringdal, chairman of the State Board of Control, former State Senator[44][45]

Eliminated in Primary

[edit]

Withdrawn

[edit]

Declined

[edit]

Results

[edit]
Results by county:
Ringdal
  • 50-60%
  • 60-70%
  • 70-80%
  • 80-90%
  • 90-100%
Andrist
  • 50-60%
  • 60-70%
  • 80-90%

The Democrats did not run a ranked-choice primary.

Minnesota Democratic gubernatorial primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Peter M. Ringdal 19,871 63.21%
Democratic Charles M. Andrist 11,567 36.79%
Total votes 31,438 100%

Results

[edit]
1912 Gubernatorial Election, Minnesota
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Adolph Olson Eberhart(incumbent) 129,688 40.73% −15.01%
Democratic Peter M. Ringdal 99,659 31.30% −3.93%
Progressive Paul V. Collins 33,455 10.51% n/a
Prohibition Engebret E. Lobeck 29,876 9.38% +6.34%
Public Ownership David Morgan 25,769 8.09% +4.30%
Majority 30,029 9.43%
Turnout 318,447
Republicanhold Swing

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^"State's Executive Succumbs".The Minneapolis Tribune.September 21, 1909.RetrievedSeptember 29,2020.
  2. ^"Socialists Vote Large".The Duluth Herald.September 30, 1912.RetrievedSeptember 29,2020.
  3. ^abc"Last Stand of Machine".The Duluth Herald.September 14, 1912.RetrievedSeptember 29,2020.
  4. ^"News and Views of Minnesota Politics".The Duluth Herald.January 1, 1912.RetrievedSeptember 29,2020.
  5. ^"Gov. Eberhart Announces Candidacy for Re-election".The Minneapolis Morning Tribune.January 13, 1912.RetrievedSeptember 29,2020.
  6. ^"Gordon Announces Candidacy and Hurls Bombs at Interests; Lee Also Enters the Contest".The Duluth Herald.January 15, 1912.RetrievedSeptember 29,2020.
  7. ^abc"Behind the Political Scenes".The Redwood Gazette.February 6, 1912.RetrievedSeptember 29,2020.
  8. ^abWarming, L. A. (April 11, 1912)."Editorials".St. Charles Union.RetrievedSeptember 30,2020.
  9. ^"Kandiyohi is for Lee".Willmar Tribune.May 15, 1912.RetrievedSeptember 30,2020.
  10. ^"-".The Republican Press.June 28, 1912.RetrievedSeptember 30,2020.
  11. ^ab"'Who is Martin Falk?'".The Duluth Herald.July 9, 1912.RetrievedSeptember 29,2020.
  12. ^"Minnesota Politics".The Duluth Herald.July 22, 1912.RetrievedSeptember 30,2020.
  13. ^"Three Factions in G.O.P. Ranks".The Redwood Gazette.July 23, 1912.RetrievedSeptember 30,2020.
  14. ^"Promises to be Quietest Ever".Morris Tribune.August 16, 1912.RetrievedSeptember 30,2020.
  15. ^"Would Select Strongest Man".Mower County Tribune.August 28, 1912.RetrievedSeptember 30,2020.
  16. ^"Spooner, Lewis C. - Legislator Record - Minnesota Legislators Past & Present".www.leg.mn.gov.RetrievedSeptember 29,2020.
  17. ^"News and Views of Minnesota Politics".The Duluth Herald.January 8, 1912.RetrievedSeptember 29,2020.
  18. ^"Political Gossip from the Capital".The Aitkin Independent.June 29, 1912.RetrievedSeptember 30,2020.
  19. ^ab"A Change is Needed".The Northfield News.August 17, 1912.RetrievedSeptember 30,2020.
  20. ^"La Follette Will Come".The Minneapolis Morning Tribune.August 19, 1912.RetrievedSeptember 30,2020.
  21. ^"Douglas".The Minneapolis Morning Tribune.May 14, 1912.RetrievedFebruary 20,2021.
  22. ^"Senator Poindexter to Speak".The Minneapolis Morning Tribune.September 12, 1912.RetrievedFebruary 20,2021.
  23. ^"Minnesota Politics".The Duluth Herald.July 25, 1912.RetrievedSeptember 30,2020.
  24. ^"Minnesota Politics".The Duluth Herald.September 11, 1912.RetrievedFebruary 20,2021.
  25. ^Authier, George F. (July 23, 1912)."Roosevelt Men Anxious".The Minneapolis Morning Tribune.RetrievedSeptember 30,2020.
  26. ^Bell, Floyd L. (September 7, 1912)."38 Per Cent Victor".The Hector Mirror.
  27. ^Schmahl, Julius A. (1913).Minnesota Legislative Manual, 1913.
  28. ^McCarthy, George (July 25, 1912)."Minnesota Politics".The Duluth Herald.RetrievedNovember 25,2020.
  29. ^"P. M. Ringdal".The Virginia Republican.January 5, 1912.RetrievedNovember 23,2020.
  30. ^"Ringdal Files; Can be Elected".The Labor World.August 3, 1912.RetrievedNovember 24,2020.
  31. ^"Political Gossip from the Capital".The Aitkin Independent.March 23, 1912.RetrievedNovember 24,2020.
  32. ^"11 April 1912".The Minneapolis Morning Tribune.RetrievedNovember 24,2020.
  33. ^"Mr. Andrist's Platform Out".The Minneapolis Morning Tribune.May 24, 1912.RetrievedNovember 25,2020.
  34. ^"Ringdal Throws his Hat".The Bemidji Daily Pioneer.July 26, 1912.RetrievedNovember 24,2020.
  35. ^"Ask his Withdrawal".Houston Signal.August 1, 1912.RetrievedNovember 24,2020.
  36. ^Authier, George (July 20, 1912)."Northwest Politics".The Minneapolis Morning Tribune.RetrievedNovember 25,2020.
  37. ^ab"Progressive Stand is Taken by Ringdal on State Problems".The Duluth Herald.August 14, 1912.RetrievedNovember 24,2020.
  38. ^"Who Andrist Is".Little Falls Herald.August 16, 1912.RetrievedNovember 24,2020.
  39. ^"Nearly 700 Men in Line for Parade".The Duluth Herald.September 2, 1912.RetrievedNovember 24,2020.
  40. ^"Thousands After Office".The Morris Tribune.September 6, 1912.RetrievedNovember 24,2020.
  41. ^Lawson, John (September 6, 1912)."From the State Capital".The News Messenger of Lyon County.RetrievedNovember 24,2020.
  42. ^"P. M. Ringdal".Little Falls Herald.September 13, 1912.RetrievedNovember 24,2020.
  43. ^"Democratic Nominees Entitled to Voters' Support".Freeborn County Standard.September 11, 1912.RetrievedNovember 24,2020.
  44. ^"State Politics are Brewing".Wabasha County Herald.January 25, 1912.RetrievedNovember 24,2020.
  45. ^"Ringdal, Peter M." P.M. "- Legislator Record - Minnesota Legislators Past & Present".www.leg.mn.gov.RetrievedNovember 24,2020.
  46. ^McCarthy, George (July 20, 1912)."Minnesota Politics".The Duluth Herald.RetrievedNovember 25,2020.
  47. ^Authier, George (July 26, 1912)."Third Party Ticket Vetoed".The Minneapolis Morning Tribune.RetrievedNovember 25,2020.
  48. ^"Colonel Will Have Control".The Princeton Union.May 16, 1912.RetrievedNovember 25,2020.
  49. ^G., W. (March 13, 1912)."Hurrah for" Billy! "".The Duluth Herald.RetrievedNovember 25,2020.
  50. ^"McEwen Getting Pointers".The Duluth Herald.February 17, 1912.RetrievedNovember 25,2020.
  51. ^"-".The Virginia Enterprise.August 16, 1912.RetrievedNovember 25,2020.
  52. ^abc"Minnesota Politics".The Duluth Herald.June 7, 1912.RetrievedNovember 25,2020.
  53. ^"Anderson, Samuel G." S.G. "- Legislator Record - Minnesota Legislators Past & Present".www.leg.mn.gov.RetrievedNovember 25,2020.
  54. ^abMcCarthy, George (January 22, 1912)."News and Views of Minnesota Politics".The Duluth Herald.RetrievedNovember 25,2020.
  55. ^abMcCarthy, George (March 11, 1912)."News and Views of Minnesota Politics".The Duluth Herald.RetrievedNovember 25,2020.
  56. ^"Many Men Mentioned for Governor's Job".The Labor World.March 9, 1912.RetrievedNovember 25,2020.
  57. ^ab"Minnesota Politics".The Duluth Herald.July 9, 1912.RetrievedNovember 24,2020.
  58. ^Authier, George (March 11, 1912)."Roosevelt Men Anxious".The Minneapolis Morning Tribune.RetrievedNovember 25,2020.
  59. ^"Wilson on the Money Trust".Little Falls Herald.April 12, 1912.RetrievedNovember 25,2020.
  60. ^"John Jenswold Enters Congressional Race".The Duluth Herald.August 26, 1912.RetrievedNovember 25,2020.
  61. ^"Pfaender, Albert - Legislator Record - Minnesota Legislators Past & Present".www.leg.mn.gov.RetrievedNovember 26,2020.
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