The 1920 Minnesota gubernatorial election took place on November 2, 1920. Republican Party of Minnesota candidate J. A. O. Preus defeated Independent challenger's Henrik Shipstead and the Mayor of St. Paul, Laurence C. Hodgson. Shipstead narrowly lost to Preus in the Republican primary of that year and challenged him in the general, beating the Democratic nominee but coming far short of winning the general.
Shipstead would soon join the Farmer–Labor Party, which didn't officially participate in this election, and would become the first party member to win statewide under that banner as Senator in 1922. The Farmer–Laborites would also become the main opposition party to the Democrats, displacing them until their political union in the 1940s.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominated
Laurence C. Hodgson, Mayor of St. Paul
Eliminated in primary
Charles M. Andrist, businessman, former Chief of Staff to Governor Hammond, former University of Minnesota professor, Democratic nominee for Lieutenant Governor in 1914 Robert W. Hargadine, former State Fire Marshal, former Campaign Manager for Governor John A. Johnson Edward Indrehus, former State Representative, Democratic nominee for Secretary of State in 1918 Alfred Jaques, U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota Oliver J. Quane, editor of the St. Peter Herald, Army Lieutenant Colonel in World War I, veteran of the Spanish-American War Julius Thorson, Democratic nominee for Lieutenant Governor in 1918, former State Representative
Declined
C. W. Stanton, district judge
Results
Republican primary
Candidates
Nominated
J. A. O. Preus, State Auditor, former State Commissioner of Insurance
Eliminated in primary
Franklin F. Ellsworth, U.S. Representative, former County Attorney of Watonwan County Thomas Frankson, Lieutenant Governor, former State Representative Samuel G. Iverson, former State Auditor, former State Representative Thomas Keefe, businessman, attorney Henrik Shipstead, former State Representative, former Mayor of Glenwood
Withdrawn
Michael J. Dowling, former Speaker of the Minnesota House, former Mayor of Olivia (endorsed Preus) Dr. L. A. Fritsche, Mayor of New Ulm Fred E. Hadley, editor of the Winnebago Enterprise, member of the Republican State Committee (endorsed Preus) Dr. Frank Nelson, president of Minnesota College, former Kansas Superintendent (endorsed Preus) W. F. Schilling, farmer Julius A. Schmahl, Secretary of State