1942 United States Senate special election in Minnesota

The 1942 United States Senate special election in Minnesota took place on November 3, 1942. The election was held to fill the vacancy in the seat formerly held by the late Ernest Lundeen for the final two months of Lundeen's unexpired term. Governor Harold Stassen had appointed Joseph H. Ball to fill the seat in 1940, but this appointment was temporary and subject to a special election held in the next general election year thereafter—1942. Ball opted to run for the full six-year term immediately following the end of Lundeen's term, instead of running for election to continue for the remainder of the term. In Ball's stead, the Republican Party of Minnesota nominated Arthur E. Nelson, who, in the special election, defeated both of his challengers—Al Hansen of the Farmer–Labor Party of Minnesota and John E. O'Rourke of the Minnesota Democratic Party.

1942 United States Senate special election in Minnesota

← 1936 November 3, 1942 1942 →
 
Nominee Arthur E. Nelson Al Hansen John E. O'Rourke
Party Republican Farmer–Labor Democratic
Popular vote 372,240 177,008 114,086
Percentage 56.12% 26.68% 17.20%

County results
Nelson:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Hansen:      40–50%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election

Joseph H. Ball
Republican

Elected U.S. senator

Arthur E. Nelson
Republican

Following his 1940 appointment and subsequent election, Ball ultimately served the longest tenure of any Senator only elected once.

Farmer–Labor primary

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Candidates

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Declared

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Results

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Farmer–Labor special primary election results[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Farmer–Labor Al Hansen 47,513 52.11%
Farmer–Labor John T. Lyons 43,660 47.89%
Total votes 91,173 100.00%

Republican primary

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Candidates

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Declared

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Results

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Republican special primary election results[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Arthur E. Nelson 148,965 47.41%
Republican Henry Lee 34,889 11.11%
Republican Cliff Blanchard 33,331 10.61%
Republican John A. Thompson 31,330 9.97%
Republican Mrs. Mat Wagner 26,117 8.31%
Republican Robert J. Seiberlich 21,629 6.88%
Republican Wilber L. Paulson 17,933 5.71%
Total votes 314,194 100.00%

Special election

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Results

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Special election results[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Arthur E. Nelson 372,240 56.12%
Farmer–Labor Al Hansen 177,008 26.68%
Democratic John E. O'Rourke 114,086 17.20%
Total votes 663,334 100.00%
Majority 195,232 29.44%
Republican hold

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Primary Election Returns - Congressional Vote, Primary Election, September 8, 1942" (PDF). Minnesota Legislature.
  2. ^ "General Election Returns, November 3, 1942" (PDF). Minnesota Legislature.