Page "Robert M. La Follette, Sr." Paragraph 10

In 1894, the Insurgents began to openly challenge the Stalwarts for leadership of the Republican Party.

The Insurgents ' Nils Haugen sought the party nomination for governor in 1894, and La Follette followed in 1896 and 1898.

His speeches decrying the sway of big business ( especially the railroads ) and his call for a more direct democracy ( including direct election of nominees in party primaries ) drew ever larger crowds.