Randall Nelson, son of Louis E., and Gina A. Nelson, was born on June 6, 1926 in Rosetown, Saskatchewan. He trained to become a teacher receiving his secondary education at the University of Saskatchewan. He married Isobelle Louisa Long on December 30, 1948. They had five children. Nelson was first elected to the Saskatchewan Legislature in 1975 as an New Democratic MLA for Yorkton Constituency. He was re-elected in 1978.