Respect Your Elders. Namely Mark Dayton. Paul Lundgren 13 years ago At age 63, Mark Dayton is the oldest person to be elected governor of Minnesota. A few weeks after he’s sworn in, he’ll be 64. From the Minnesota Legislative Reference Library: Recommended Links:The Nerd Habit of Collecting SignaturesSignatures for a NerdHighlights from “The Guys Who Never Stop Fighting”Duluth retailer on Twin Cities TV