Watonwan County
Watonwan County is located in South Central Minnesota and was established on February 25, 1860. Watonwan County is taken from the Dakota word meaning "where fish bait abounds." Saint James is the county seat. Source: Minnesota Geographic Names, by Warren Upham (Minnesota Historical Society, 1969).
Notable candidates from Watonwan County include:
- Joanell M. Drystad (born): Independent-Republican Lieutenant Governor (1991-1995)
- Franklin F. Ellsworth (born): Republican U.S. Representative (1915-1921)
- Winfield Hammond (resident): Democratic U.S. Representative (1907-1915) and Governor (1915)
Minnesota Department of Transportation.
Legislative Districts
Congressional Districts
| Starting | Ending | Districts |
|---|---|---|
| 1860 | 1863 | At-Large |
| 1863 | 1883 | CD 01 |
| 1883 | 1933 | CD 02 |
| 1933 | 1935 | At-Large |
| 1935 | 2003 | CD 02 |
| 2003 | 2013 | CD 01 |
| 2013 | 2023 | CD 01, 02 |
| 2023 | 2033 | CD 01 |
Senate Districts
| Starting | Ending | Districts |
|---|---|---|
| 1861 | 1867 | SD 20 |
| 1867 | 1872 | SD 17 |
| 1872 | 1882 | SD 38 |
| 1882 | 1891 | SD 08 |
| 1891 | 1899 | SD 06 |
| 1899 | 1915 | SD 13 |
| 1915 | 1963 | SD 09 |
| 1963 | 1973 | SD 18 |
| 1973 | 1983 | SD 27 |
| 1983 | 1993 | SD 28, 29 |
| 1993 | 2003 | SD 22, 26 |
| 2003 | 2013 | SD 21, 24 |
| 2013 | 2023 | SD 23 |
| 2023 | 2033 | SD 21, 22 |
House Districts
| Starting | Ending | Districts |
|---|---|---|
| 1861 | 1867 | HD 20 |
| 1867 | 1872 | HD 17 |
| 1872 | 1882 | HD 38 |
| 1882 | 1891 | HD 08 |
| 1891 | 1899 | HD 06 |
| 1899 | 1915 | HD 13 |
| 1915 | 1963 | HD 09 |
| 1963 | 1967 | HD 18 |
| 1967 | 1973 | HD 18B |
| 1973 | 1983 | HD 27A, 27B |
| 1983 | 1993 | HD 28B, 29A |
| 1993 | 2003 | HD 22B, 26A |
| 2003 | 2013 | HD 21B, 24A |
| 2013 | 2023 | HD 23A, 23B |
| 2023 | 2033 | HD 21B, 22A |
Candidates
| Candidate | Birth county | Residence county | Elections |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ahl, Harold W. | Watonwan | Cottonwood | 1936, U.S. House, District 02, Primary (Democrat, Lost) |
| Anderson, Juls J. | Out of state | Ramsey Saint Louis Watonwan Polk |
1942, Lieutenant Governor,
General
(Farmer-Labor,
Lost)
1942, Lieutenant Governor, Primary (Farmer-Labor, Won) 1924, Lieutenant Governor, Primary (Farmer-Labor, Lost) 1922, State Senate, District 09, Primary (Nonpartisan, Lost) 1918, State House, District 58, Primary (Nonpartisan, Lost) 1916, U.S. House, District 08, General (Socialist, Lost) |
| Bang, Otto | Watonwan | Hennepin |
1980, State Senate, District 39,
General
(Independent-Republican,
Won)
1980, State Senate, District 39, Primary (Independent-Republican, Won) 1976, State Senate, District 39, General (Independent-Republican, Won) 1972, State Senate, District 39, General (Nonpartisan, Won) 1970, State House, District 29A, General (Nonpartisan, Won) 1968, State House, District 29A, General (Nonpartisan, Won) 1966, State House, District 29A, General (Nonpartisan, Won) 1964, State House, District 33, General (Nonpartisan, Won) 1962, State House, District 33, General (Nonpartisan, Won) |
| Banks, John M. | Out of state | Watonwan | 1956, State House, District 09, General (Nonpartisan, Lost) |
| Brown, Walter W. | Out of state | Watonwan | 1912, State House, District 13, General (Republican, Won) |
| Church, Frederick | Out of state | Watonwan | 1890, State House, District 06, General (Republican, Won) |
| Cole, Orlando (O.C.) | Out of state | Watonwan | 1906, State House, District 13, General (Republican, Lost) |
| Cooley, Charles O. | Out of state | Watonwan | 1892, State House, District 06, General (Democrat, Lost) |
| Crowley, Roy F. | Out of state | Watonwan |
1938, State Senate, District 09,
General
(Nonpartisan,
Lost)
1938, State Senate, District 09, Primary (Nonpartisan, Won) 1934, State Senate, District 09, General (Nonpartisan, Won) 1934, State Senate, District 09, Primary (Nonpartisan, Won) 1930, State Senate, District 09, General (Nonpartisan, Won) |
| Curtis, Will | Out of state | Watonwan | 1914, Auditor, General (Progressive, Lost) |