March of the Governors #24: Elmer Benson
We are unlikely to see a politician like Elmer Benson ever again. The small-town, left-wing banker served briefly as a US Senator before becoming governor. He was a genuine political radical who advocated replacing capitalism in Minnesota with a “cooperative commonwealth.” The first time he ran for governor of Minnesota in 1936, he won by a landslide. The next time, in 1938, he lost by a landslide. In between, he battled with the legislature, filled state jobs with Farmer-Labor party workers, and once endorsed an occupation of the state senate chambers by Farmer-Laborites demanding action. Benson lived a long life (1895-1985) and never repented of anything.
"Mashindano ya Mawaziri ya Marekani: ""Hatutamwona mwanasiasa kama Elmer Benson tena." Mfanyakazi wa benki wa mrengo wa kushoto kutoka mji mdogo alitumikia kwa muda mfupi kama Seneta wa Marekani kabla ya kuwa gavana. "Mwanamume huyo alikuwa ""mwenye msimamo mkali wa kisiasa"" ambaye alitetea kubadilisha ubepari katika Minnesota na ""bunge la ushirikiano"" mara ya kwanza aliposhindana na gavana wa Minnesota mnamo 1936 alishinda kwa ushindi mkubwa." Mara ya pili, mwaka 1938, alipoteza kwa kura kubwa. Wakati huo huo, alipigana na bunge, akajaza kazi za serikali na wafanyakazi wa chama cha wakulima-wafanyikazi, na mara moja aliunga mkono uvamizi wa vyumba vya seneti ya jimbo na wakulima-wafanyikazi wakidai hatua. Benson aliishi maisha marefu (1895-1985) na hakutubu kamwe.