Swift County

Swift is located in West Central Minnesota and was established on February 18, 1870 by the State Legislature. Swift County is named for Republican Lieutenant Governor (1863) and Governor (1863-1864) Henry Swift. Benson is the county seat. Source: Minnesota Geographic Names, by Warren Upham (Minnesota Historical Society, 1969).

Notable candidates from Swift County include:

  • Elmer A. Benson (born, resident): Farmer-Labor U.S. Senator (1935-1936) and Governor (1937-1939)
  • Mark R. Kennedy (born): Republican U.S. Representative (2001-2007)
  • Ole Kvale (resident): Independent/Farmer-Labor U.S. Representative (1923-1929)
  • John Paul Kvale (resident): Farmer-Labor U.S. Representative (1929-1939)


Minnesota Department of Transportation.

Legislative Districts

Congressional Districts
Starting Ending Districts
1870 1883 CD 02
1883 1893 CD 03
1893 1933 CD 07
1933 1935 At-Large
1935 1963 CD 07
1963 1973 CD 06
1973 1983 CD CD 07
1983 2003 CD 02
2003 2033 CD 07
Senate Districts
Starting Ending Districts
1872 1882 SD 40
1882 1891 SD 37
1891 1899 SD 43
1899 1915 SD 56
1915 1963 SD 25
1963 1973 SD 23
1973 1983 SD 15
1983 1993 SD 11, 20
1993 2003 SD 13
2003 2013 SD 20
2013 2023 SD 17
2023 2033 SD 12
House Districts
Starting Ending Districts
1872 1882 HD 40
1882 1891 HD 37
1891 1899 HD 43
1899 1915 HD 56
1915 1963 HD 25
1963 1967 HD 23
1967 1973 HD 23A
1973 1983 HD 15A, 15B
1983 1993 HD 11A, 20A
1993 2003 HD 13A, 13B
2003 2013 HD 20A
2013 2023 HD 17A
2023 2033 HD 12A

Candidates

Candidate Birth county Residence county Elections
Adolphson, Peter Swift Hennepin 2004, State House, District 42A, General (Republican, Lost)
2004, State House, District 42A, Primary (Republican, Won)
2002, State House, District 42A, General (Republican, Won)
2002, State House, District 42A, Primary (Republican, Won)
Alsaker, Clint Out of state Swift 1908, State House, District 56, General (Democrat, Lost)
Appel, Erhard C. Swift Scott 1950, Treasurer, Primary (Republican, Lost)
Arneson, Chresten Out of state Swift 1920, State House, District 25, General (Nonpartisan, Lost)
1918, State House, District 25, General (Nonpartisan, Won)
Benson, Elmer A. Swift Swift 1972, State House, District 56A, Primary (Nonpartisan, Lost)
1942, U.S. Senate, General (Farmer-Labor, Lost)
1942, U.S. Senate, Primary (Farmer-Labor, Won)
1940, U.S. Senate, General (Farmer-Labor, Lost)
1940, U.S. Senate, Primary (Farmer-Labor, Won)
1938, Governor, General (Farmer-Labor, Lost)
1938, Governor, Primary (Farmer-Labor, Won)
1936, Governor, General (Farmer-Labor, Won)
1936, Governor, Primary (Farmer-Labor, Won)
Beveridge, Richard A. Swift Pope 1972, State House, District 15A, Primary (Nonpartisan, Lost)
Beyer, Merlin Swift Stevens 1992, State House, District 13A, General (Independent-Republican, Lost)
1992, State House, District 13A, Primary (Independent-Republican, Won)
1990, State House, District 11A, General (Independent-Republican, Lost)
1990, State House, District 11A, Primary (Independent-Republican, Won)
Boland, Walter Swift Ramsey 1946, Attorney General, General (Democratic-Farmer-Labor, Lost)
1946, Attorney General, Primary (Democratic-Farmer-Labor, Won)
Bresnahan, P.W. Swift 1914, State House, District 25, General (Nonpartisan, Lost)
Brown, Chuck Swift Swift 1994, State House, District 13A, General (Democratic-Farmer-Labor, Won)
1994, State House, District 13A, Primary (Democratic-Farmer-Labor, Won)
1992, State House, District 13A, General (Democratic-Farmer-Labor, Won)
1992, State House, District 13A, Primary (Democratic-Farmer-Labor, Won)
1990, State House, District 11A, General (Democratic-Farmer-Labor, Won)
1990, State House, District 11A, Primary (Democratic-Farmer-Labor, Won)
1988, State House, District 11A, General (Democratic-Farmer-Labor, Won)
1988, State House, District 11A, Primary (Democratic-Farmer-Labor, Won)
1986, State House, District 11A, General (Democratic-Farmer-Labor, Won)
1986, State House, District 11A, Primary (Democratic-Farmer-Labor, Won)
1984, State House, District 11A, General (Democratic-Farmer-Labor, Won)
1984, State House, District 11A, Primary (Democratic-Farmer-Labor, Won)