Theodore Christianson

Theodore Christianson
Theodore Christianson
21st Governor of Minnesota
In office January 6, 1925 – January 6, 1931
Lieutenant	William I. Nolan (1925-1929) Charles E. Adams (1929-1931)
Preceded by	J. A. O. Preus
Succeeded by	Floyd B. Olson
Personal details
Born	September 12, 1883(1883-09-12) Lac qui Parle Township, Minnesota
Died	December 9, 1948(1948-12-09) (aged 65) Dawson, Minnesota
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Ruth E. Donaldson (1st) Mayme Bialeschki Bundy (2nd)
Alma mater	University of Minnesota University of Minnesota Law School
Profession	lawyer, publisher
Religion	Presbyterian

Theodore Christianson (September 12, 1883 – December 9, 1948) was an American politician who served as the 21st Governor of Minnesota from January 6, 1925 until January 6, 1931.

Background

Theodore Christianson Jr. was born in Lac qui Parle Township, Minnesota. He attended Dawson High School. He granduated from the University of Minnesota, Arts College in 1906. Christianson graduated from the University of Minnesota Law School in 1909.He was admitted to the Minnesota State Bar in 1909. Before entering politics, Christianson had pursued dual careers in western Minnesota, where he both practiced law and was for 15 years the editor and publisher of the Dawson Sentinel. Five consecutive terms as a Republican state legislator convinced him that government reorganization was in order.

Career

"More Ted, Less Taxes" was the campaign promise of Theodore Christianson when he ran for governor in 1924. "Tightwad Ted," as he was affectionately dubbed, kept his word. During his administration, he limited taxes and cut expenditures at every level of state government. Voters—in a conservative mood after the turmoil of World War I—expressed their approval of his cautious fiscal policy and his disdain for socialism by re-electing him twice.

Efficiency was as crucial as thrift to Minnesota's twenty-first governor and he incorporated both priorities in his 1925 Reorganization Act. To firm up a flabby bureaucracy, he appointed a three-man Commission of Administration and Finance. This so-called "Big Three" unleashed the veto power of the chief executive, who slashed budget appropriations he considered extravagant.

Christianson's bid for nomination to the U.S. Senate in 1930 failed as he lost the Republican nomination to incumbent Thomas Schall, and he left politics temporarily. During a three-year hiatus, the former newspaperman continued to serve his native state by writing its history, a five-volume work The Land of Sky-Tinted Waters: A History of the State and its People (Minnesota: 1935). He rounded out his public career with two terms in Congress. In 1936, he did not run for re-election to the House; instead he ran for Senate again. Receiving the Republican nomination, he ran against former Congressman Ernest Lundeen of the Farmer Labor Party and was defeated, receiving 37% of the vote.

Later, Christianson moved to Chicago and an executive position with a national trade association. He had recently retired to Dawson, Minnesota when he died of a heart attack at 65 years of age.

Other sources

• Biographical information
• Gubernatorial records
• Minnesota Historical Society
• Minnesota Legislators Past and Present
• Theodore Christianson at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress

Political offices
Preceded by J. A. O. Preus	Governor of Minnesota 1925 – 1931	Succeeded by Floyd B. Olson
United States House of Representatives
Preceded by General Ticket Adopted	U.S. Representative from Minnesota General Ticket Seat Three 1933 –1935	Succeeded by General Ticket Abolished
Preceded by General Ticket Abolished	U.S. Representative from Minnesota's 5th congressional district 1935 – 1937	Succeeded by Dewey Johnson