1894 Minnesota gubernatorial election

1894 Minnesota gubernatorial election

← 1892 November 6, 1894 1896 →

Nominee Knute Nelson Sidney M. Owen George Loomis Becker Party Republican Populist Democratic Popular vote 147,943 87,890 53,584 Percentage 49.94% 29.67% 18.09%

County results Nelson:      30–40%     40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Owen:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70% Becker:      40–50%      50–60%

Governor before election Knute Nelson Republican Elected Governor Knute Nelson Republican

The 1894 Minnesota gubernatorial election took place on November 6, 1894. Republican Party of Minnesota incumbent Knute Nelson easily defeated People's Party challenger Sidney M. Owen and Democratic Party of Minnesota candidate George Loomis Becker.

Interestingly, all three major candidates had stood in previous elections once before. Nelson in 1892, Owen in 1890, and Becker in 1859. The largest gap between his first campaign and his campaign in 1894 was Becker, who's unsuccessful 1859 campaign had taken place 35 years ago. All three major candidates were also chosen unanimously in their respective primaries.

• George Loomis Becker, former State Senator (Democrat)
• Hans Sjurson Hilleboe, Faculty at Luther Seminary (Prohibition)
• Knute Nelson, Incumbent (Republican)
• Sidney M. Owen, Farmer's Alliance nominee for governor in 1890 (Populist)

At the Republican State Convention, held May 16, 1894, Nelson was re-nominated unanimously.[1]

The Populist State Convention was held on July 10, 1894. Sidney M. Owen was nominated without opposition. "The Workingmen's Marseille" was sung to open the convention. Owen was nominated unanimously.[2]

The Democratic State Convention was held on September 5, 1894. Former nominee in 1892, Daniel W. Lawler, nominated George Loomis Becker, who was greeted by the convention with great applause. With enthusiasm from the convention, Becker was nominated unanimously.[3]

1894 Gubernatorial Election, Minnesota

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Knute Nelson (incumbent)	147,943	49.94%	+7.26%
	Populist	Sidney M. Owen	87,890	29.67%	+14.09%
	Democratic	George Loomis Becker	53,584	18.09%	−18.87%
	Prohibition	Hans S. Hilleboe	6,832	2.30%	−2.48%
Majority			60,053	20.27%
Turnout			296,249
	Republican hold		Swing

• List of Minnesota gubernatorial elections

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