The 1896 Minnesota gubernatorial election took place on November 3, 1896. Republican Party of Minnesota incumbent David Marston Clough narrowly defeated Democratic Party of Minnesota challenger John Lind. Lind later won the 1898 gubernatorial election and became the first Democrat elected to the office of Governor of Minnesota since Henry Hastings Sibley left office in 1860. 1896 was the first of three successive elections in which Lind ran for governor at the head of a coalition consisting of the Democratic Party and the majority faction of the People's Party.

1896 Minnesota gubernatorial election

← 1894 November 3, 1896 1898 →

Nominee David Marston Clough John Lind Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 165,806 162,254 Percentage 49.17% 48.11%

County results Clough:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Lind:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

Governor before election David Marston Clough Republican Elected Governor David Marston Clough Republican