Ernest D. Nelson (March 13, 1897 – September 10, 1961) was a North Dakota Republican Party politician who served as a North Dakota Public Service Commissioner from 1949 to his death in 1961.

He came to North Dakota in 1908, and was educated in the public schools and in the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

He farmed in Golden Valley County, North Dakota for 30 years during his lifetime.

[2] He was appointed to the North Dakota Public Service Commission by Governor Fred G. Aandahl in 1949 after the death of Ben C. Larkin.

He was buried at Arcadia Cemetery in Trempealeau County, Wisconsin.