Theodore Christianson

Theodore Christianson
Theodore Christianson
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Minnesota's 5th district
In office January 3, 1935 – January 3, 1937
Preceded by	General ticket abolished
Succeeded by	Dewey Johnson
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Minnesota's at-large district
In office March 4, 1933 – January 3, 1935
Preceded by	General ticket adopted
Succeeded by	General ticket abolished
21st Governor of Minnesota
In office January 6, 1925 – January 6, 1931
Lieutenant	William I. Nolan Charles E. Adams
Preceded by	J. A. O. Preus
Succeeded by	Floyd B. Olson
Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives
Personal details
Born	September 12, 1883 Lac qui Parle Township, Minnesota
Died	December 9, 1948 (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, author
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.

Early life

Christianson was born in Lac qui Parle Township, Minnesota. He was of Norwegian descent.^[1] He attended Dawson High School. He graduated from the University of Minnesota, Arts College in 1906.^[2] Christianson graduated from the University of Minnesota Law School in 1909. He was admitted to the Minnesota State Bar in 1909.^[3] Before entering politics, Christianson had pursued dual careers in western Minnesota, where he both practiced law and was editor and publisher of the Dawson Sentinel for fifteen years. 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 life

After leaving politics, Christianson moved to Chicago and served as secretary-manager of the National Association of Retail Grocers from 1937 to 1939. He was public relations counsel for the National Association of Retail Druggists from 1938 to 1945, and editor of the National Association of Retail Druggists Journal from 1945 to 1948.

Family

His son was Theodore Christianson who served on the Minnesota Supreme Court.^[4]

Death

Christianson had recently retired to Dawson, Minnesota, when he died of a heart attack at 65 years of age. He is interred at Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery in Minneapolis, Minnesota.^[5]

References

1. Swedes in the Twin Cities: immigrant life and Minnesota's urban frontier By Philip J. Anderson, Dag Blanck page 312
2. "CHRISTIANSON, Theodore, (1883 - 1948)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved October 8, 2012.
3. Corrine Charais, Political Action Among Alumni, Perspectives, Spring 2007 (page 18).
4. 'Theodore Christianson, 42, Court Justice, Dies Suddenly,' Albert Lea Evening Time,' September 19, 1955, pg. 1
5. "Theodore Christianson". Find A Grave. Retrieved October 8, 2012.

Other sources

• Biographical information
• Gubernatorial records
• Minnesota Historical Society
• Minnesota Legislators Past and Present