Karl Rolvaag
| Karl Rolvaag | |
|---|---|
Rolvaag in 1963
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| 31st Governor of Minnesota | |
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In office March 25, 1963 – January 2, 1967 |
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| Lieutenant | Alexander M. Keith |
| Preceded by | Elmer L. Andersen |
| Succeeded by | Harold LeVander |
| 36th Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota | |
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In office January 3, 1955 – January 8, 1963 |
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| Governor | Ancher Nelsen |
| Preceded by | Donald O. Wright |
| Succeeded by | Alexander M. Keith |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Karl Fritjof Rolvaag July 18, 1913 Northfield, Minnesota |
| Died | December 20, 1990 (aged 77) Northfield, Minnesota |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Florence Boedeker |
| Profession | politician, soldier |
| Religion | Lutheran |
Karl Fritjof Rolvaag (July 18, 1913 – December 20, 1990) was an American politician who served as the 31st Governor of Minnesota from March 25, 1963, to January 2, 1967, as a member of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) Party. He was the son of the Norwegian-American author and professor Ole E. Rølvaag.
The 1962 election was held November 6, 1962, but the results of the race for governor were not known until a 139-day recount was completed in March 1963. Rolvaag won the closest gubernatorial election in state history by defeating the incumbent Elmer L. Andersen by just 91 votes out of over 1.3 million cast. Rolvaag was one of only four Minnesota Democrats to win a gubernatorial election with a Democrat in the White House.
A native of Northfield, Minnesota, Rolvaag lived in his home town and graduated from St. Olaf College. He then fought in World War II, rising to the rank of lieutenant and commanding a tank. After the war, he went to Norway to learn about politics before returning home to Minnesota. After his return, Rolvaag became the head of Minnesota's DFL Party. In 1954 he ran successfully for the office of lieutenant governor. After serving in that capacity for eight years, Rolvaag mounted his successful campaign for governor in 1962.
Rolvaag was the first Minnesota governor to serve a four-year term, but due to continuous wrangling between the DFL governor and the conservative-controlled legislature, there were few notable achievements during his term. He is remembered for a leadership role in bringing reform to the state's institutions for the mentally disabled, leading to improved conditions and treatment for people with developmental disabilities. The populist-minded governor also changed the organization of the state's junior colleges. Formerly, the local school board ran each college separately; Rolvaag designed a coordinated statewide system with the goal of putting each Minnesotan within commuting distance of an institution of higher education.
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