Elmer C. Nelson | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Chairman of the Massachusetts Republican Party | |
In office 1953–1956 | |
Preceded by | Daniel Tyler Jr. |
Succeeded by | Ralph H. Bonnell |
Member of the
Massachusetts House of Representatives from the 8th Worcester district | |
In office 1933–1937 | |
Preceded by | Lester Libbey |
Succeeded by | Nathan Rosenfeld |
Personal details | |
Born | June 1, 1900 Woonsocket, Rhode Island |
Died | March 31, 1975 (aged 74) Milford, Massachusetts |
Resting place | Pine Grove Cemetery Milford, Massachusetts |
Nationality | American |
Political party | Republican |
Occupation | Car dealer |
Elmer Carl Nelson (June 1, 1900 – March 31, 1975) was an American political figure who served as the chairman of the Massachusetts Republican State Committee from 1953 to 1956, a delegate to the 1956 Republican National Convention from Massachusetts, and the Republican nominee for Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts in 1958. He was a resident of Mendon, Massachusetts. [1]
Nelson was born on June 1, 1900, in Woonsocket, Rhode Island. He graduated from Milford High School in Milford, Massachusetts. [2] During his senior year he enlisted in the United States Army. He served in the 26th Division, 101st Engineer Battalion during World War I. In 1929 he opened a Buick dealership in Milford. [3]
Nelson represented the 8th Worcester District in the Massachusetts House of Representatives from 1933 to 1937. [2] He served as vice chairman of the Special Commission on Taxation. [4] He managed Leverett Saltonstall's successful 1938 gubernatorial campaign. [3] He then served as volunteer aide to Saltonstall and was seen as the Governor's patronage chief. From 1939 to 1942, Nelson was a state racing commissioner. [5] During World War II he was a captain in the United States Army. [3]
Nelson managed Christian Herter's 1952 gubernatorial campaign and in 1953, with Herter's support, was elected chairman of the Massachusetts Republican Party. He was given a $12,000-a-year salary, becoming the party's first paid chairman. [5] In 1956, the party's presumptive gubernatorial nominee, Sumner G. Whittier demanded Nelson's resignation, which he refused. [6] He was defeated for reelection by Ralph H. Bonnell at that year's party convention. [7] In 1958, Nelson was the Republican nominee for Lieutenant Governor. He lost to Democrat Robert F. Murphy 60% to 39%. [8] Nelson led his third successful gubernatorial campaign when he managed John Volpe's 1964 campaign. [3]
Nelson died on March 31, 1975, at Milford Hospital. [3]
Elmer C. Nelson | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Chairman of the Massachusetts Republican Party | |
In office 1953–1956 | |
Preceded by | Daniel Tyler Jr. |
Succeeded by | Ralph H. Bonnell |
Member of the
Massachusetts House of Representatives from the 8th Worcester district | |
In office 1933–1937 | |
Preceded by | Lester Libbey |
Succeeded by | Nathan Rosenfeld |
Personal details | |
Born | June 1, 1900 Woonsocket, Rhode Island |
Died | March 31, 1975 (aged 74) Milford, Massachusetts |
Resting place | Pine Grove Cemetery Milford, Massachusetts |
Nationality | American |
Political party | Republican |
Occupation | Car dealer |
Elmer Carl Nelson (June 1, 1900 – March 31, 1975) was an American political figure who served as the chairman of the Massachusetts Republican State Committee from 1953 to 1956, a delegate to the 1956 Republican National Convention from Massachusetts, and the Republican nominee for Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts in 1958. He was a resident of Mendon, Massachusetts. [1]
Nelson was born on June 1, 1900, in Woonsocket, Rhode Island. He graduated from Milford High School in Milford, Massachusetts. [2] During his senior year he enlisted in the United States Army. He served in the 26th Division, 101st Engineer Battalion during World War I. In 1929 he opened a Buick dealership in Milford. [3]
Nelson represented the 8th Worcester District in the Massachusetts House of Representatives from 1933 to 1937. [2] He served as vice chairman of the Special Commission on Taxation. [4] He managed Leverett Saltonstall's successful 1938 gubernatorial campaign. [3] He then served as volunteer aide to Saltonstall and was seen as the Governor's patronage chief. From 1939 to 1942, Nelson was a state racing commissioner. [5] During World War II he was a captain in the United States Army. [3]
Nelson managed Christian Herter's 1952 gubernatorial campaign and in 1953, with Herter's support, was elected chairman of the Massachusetts Republican Party. He was given a $12,000-a-year salary, becoming the party's first paid chairman. [5] In 1956, the party's presumptive gubernatorial nominee, Sumner G. Whittier demanded Nelson's resignation, which he refused. [6] He was defeated for reelection by Ralph H. Bonnell at that year's party convention. [7] In 1958, Nelson was the Republican nominee for Lieutenant Governor. He lost to Democrat Robert F. Murphy 60% to 39%. [8] Nelson led his third successful gubernatorial campaign when he managed John Volpe's 1964 campaign. [3]
Nelson died on March 31, 1975, at Milford Hospital. [3]