1970 Minnesota gubernatorial election

The 1970 Minnesota gubernatorial election took place on November 3, 1970. Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party candidate Wendell Anderson defeated Republican Party of Minnesota challenger Douglas M. Head.

1970 Minnesota gubernatorial election

← 1966 November 3, 1970 1974 →
 
Nominee Wendell Anderson Douglas M. Head
Party Democratic (DFL) Republican
Popular vote 737,921 621,780
Percentage 54.04% 45.54%

County results

Anderson:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

Head:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

Governor before election

Harold LeVander
Republican

Elected Governor

Wendell Anderson
Democratic (DFL)

DFL primary

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Candidates

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Results

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1970 DFL gubernatorial primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic (DFL) Wendell R. Anderson 352,867 100.00%
Total votes 352,867 100.00%

Republican primary

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Candidates

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  • Douglas M. Head, Attorney General of Minnesota and former state representative from Minneapolis
  • Paul Moshier
  • John C. Peterson, Duluth resident and perennial candidate
  • Lorna Tarnowski, Chanhassen homemaker and candidate for governor in 1966

Results

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1970 Republican gubernatorial primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Douglas M. Head 210,621 87.51%
Republican John C. Peterson 19,737 8.20%
Republican Paul Moshier 6,372 2.65%
Republican Lorna Tarnowski 3,964 1.65%
Total votes 240,694 100.00%

General election

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Candidates

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Results

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1970 Gubernatorial Election, Minnesota
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic (DFL) Wendell Anderson 737,921 54.04% 7.10%
Republican Douglas M. Head 621,780 45.54% −7.02%
Industrial Government Karl Heck 4,781 0.35% −0.15%
Majority 116,141 8.51%
Turnout 1,365,443
Democratic (DFL) gain from Republican Swing
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