Previous Governors of Minnesota
Governors who previously held office in Minnesota, with term dates and party affiliation.
Timothy James Walz is an American politician, former educator, and Army National Guard veteran serving since 2019 as the 41st governor of Minnesota. From 2007 to 2019, he was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, representing Minnesota's 1st congressional district. Walz is a member of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL), which affiliates with the national Democratic Party, and was the party's vice presidential nominee in the 2024 presidential election.
Mark Brandt Dayton is an American politician who served as the 40th governor of Minnesota from 2011 to 2019. He served as a United States Senator representing Minnesota from 2001 to 2007 and as Minnesota State Auditor from 1991 to 1995. He is a member of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL), which affiliates with the national Democratic Party.
Timothy James Pawlenty is an American attorney, businessman, and politician who served from 2003 to 2011 as the 39th governor of Minnesota. A member of the Republican Party, Pawlenty served in the Minnesota House of Representatives from 1993 to 2003, and as House Majority Leader from 1999 to 2003. He unsuccessfully ran for the Republican presidential nomination in the 2012 presidential election.
Jesse Ventura is an American politician, Vietnam veteran, actor, and retired professional wrestler. After achieving fame in the World Wrestling Federation, he served as the 38th governor of Minnesota from 1999 to 2003. He was elected governor with the Reform Party and is the party's only candidate to win a major government office.
Arne Helge Carlson is an American politician who served from 1991 to 1999 as the 37th governor of Minnesota. Carlson is considered a liberal Republican. He served as Minnesota State Auditor from 1979 to 1991.
Rudolph George Perpich Sr. was an American politician who served as the 34th and 36th governor of Minnesota from 1976 to 1979 and from 1983 to 1991. A member of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party. To date, he is the only governor elected to serve non-consecutive terms in the history of Minnesota.
Albert Harold "Al" Quie was an American politician and farmer from Minnesota. Quie served as a member of the United States House of Representatives representing Minnesota's 1st congressional district from 1958 to 1979 and as the 35th governor of Minnesota from 1979 to 1983.
Rudolph George Perpich Sr. was an American politician who served as the 34th and 36th governor of Minnesota from 1976 to 1979 and from 1983 to 1991. A member of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party. To date, he is the only governor elected to serve non-consecutive terms in the history of Minnesota.
Wendell Richard "Wendy" Anderson was an American politician and hockey player who served from 1971 to 1976 as the 33rd governor of Minnesota. In late 1976, he resigned as governor in order to be appointed to the U.S. Senate, after Senator Walter Mondale was elected Vice President of the United States. Anderson served in the Senate for almost two years, but after losing the 1978 Senate election to Rudy Boschwitz, he resigned a few days before the end of his term to give Boschwitz seniority.
Karl Harold Phillip LeVander was an American attorney and politician. A Republican, he served as the 32nd governor of Minnesota from January 2, 1967 to January 4, 1971, after defeating incumbent governor Karl Rolvaag in the 1966 election.