Martin A. Nelson (February 21, 1889 – May 22, 1979) was an American attorney, politician, and jurist from Minnesota.

[1] Nelson was born in Hesper Township, Winneshiek County, Iowa and received his early education there.

[2][3] Nelson obtained the Republican gubernatorial nomination in 1934 and 1936, but lost both general elections to Floyd B. Olson and Elmer A. Benson, respectively.

In 1942, he was an independent candidate for the United States Senate from Minnesota, receiving 14.4% of the vote and coming in third place.

Governor C. Elmer Anderson appointed him to the Minnesota Supreme Court in 1953, to fill a vacancy caused by the elevation of Roger L. Dell to be chief justice.