Karl Rolvaag

Karl Fritjof Rolvaag (July 18, 1913 – December 20, 1990) was an American diplomat and politician who served from March 25, 1963, to January 2, 1967, as the 31st governor of Minnesota. A member of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) Party, he was the son of the author and professor Ole E. Rølvaag.

The 1962 election was held on November 6, but the results were not known until a 139-day recount was completed in March 1963. Rolvaag won the closest gubernatorial election in state history, defeating the incumbent, Elmer L. Andersen by 91 votes out of over 1.3 million cast. He is one of only five Minnesota Democrats to win a gubernatorial election with a Democrat in the White House.

Background A native of Northfield, Minnesota, Rolvaag lived in his hometown and graduated from. After his father's death in 1931, he traveled throughout the west, shifting between locations and professions. He considered joining the Communist Party, and joined the IWW. He returned to Northfield to attend St. Olaf College, and graduated in 1941. While attending the college, he co-founded "Patriots for Peace", an antiwar student organization. He then fought in World War II, rising to the rank of lieutenant and commanding a tank. While serving, he earned a Silver Star, a Purple Heart, and two Croix de Guerre.

Governorship Rolvaag was a moderate.

Rolvaag 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. He 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 every Minnesotan within commuting distance of an institution of higher education. He also bitterly opposed the state colleges' expansion plans and opposed designating a second state research university. Fort Snelling was restored into a museum during his term.

In May 1965, HF bill 1400, a law to prevent Minnesota counties from restricting the sale of alcohol, came to Rolvaag's desk. Instead of passing or vetoing the bill, he let it sit on his desk until it automatically became state law after three days.

When Rolvaag ran for reelection in 1966, his party did not endorse him, opting instead for Lieutenant Governor Sandy Keith. Rolvaag entered the DFL primary with a cry of "Let the people decide!" and roundly defeated Keith. He lost to Republican nominee Harold LeVander in the general election. Rolvaag stayed out of politics for the rest of his life, but helped others work through their problems with alcoholism, attending meetings and giving talks in places as nearby as Northfield and as far off as Sweden. In 1982, he married Marian Rankin Mackenzie, a friend from high school with whom he had reunited at their class's 50-year reunion.