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.

[3] He then served as volunteer aide to Saltonstall and was seen as the Governor's patronage chief.

[5] During World War II he was a captain in the United States Army.

[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.