1944 Election Cycle

This cycle was the first since the merger of the Democratic and Farmer-Labor parties earlier in the year. Franklin Roosevelt carried Minnesota for a fourth consecutive cycle in a competitive race against Thomas Dewey while Republicans swept the remaining partisan statewide races. Edward Thye, who succeeded Harold Stassen in 1943 after the governor resigned to join the U.S. Navy, won his first election to the office. Meanwhile, C. Elmer Anderson won back his old seat as Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State Mike Holm won his 13th term, Attorney General J.A.A. Burnquist won his fourth term, and Treasurer Julius Schmahl won his ninth noneconsecutive term. Former Auditor and U.S. Representative Ray Chase defeated appointed Railroad and Warehouse Commissioner Rollin Johnson in the GOP primary en route to his win in November.

Seven Republicans were reelected to the U.S. House (with Farmer-Laborite Harold Hagen joining the GOP) but two were unseated by DFLers: Dick Gale lost to William Gallagher and Melvin Maas was defeated by Frank Starkey.

Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Charles Loring was reelected without opposition. The winners of the three seats for Associate Justice were incumbent Harry Peterson, appointed incumbent Clarence Magney, and Leroy Matson.

Elections

Date Office Stage Winners Details
12/28/1944 State Senate, District 07 Special David M. (D.M.) Carey (Nonpartisan) won with 2,896 votes (59.58%) and a winning margin of +19.15
Candidate Gender Party Votes Percent
David M. (D.M.) Carey Man Nonpartisan 2,896 59.58
David L. Morse Man Nonpartisan 1,965 40.42

Special election to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Senator Daniel D. Murphy on December 3, 1944.

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12/27/1944 State House, District 50 Special Roy B. Aune (Nonpartisan) won with 2,921 votes (58.56%) and a winning margin of +17.12
Candidate Gender Party Votes Percent
Roy B. Aune Man Nonpartisan 2,921 58.56
Mrs. Theodore G. Rosholt Woman Nonpartisan 2,067 41.44

Special election to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Representative Walter Wellbrock on November 24, 1944. Wellbrock had won reelection to his seat on November 7, 1944.

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11/07/1944 State Senate, District 51 Special Ernest P. Anderson (Nonpartisan) won with 7,026 votes (51.39%) and a winning margin of +2.78
Candidate Gender Party Votes Percent
Ernest P. Anderson Man Nonpartisan 7,026 51.39
Frank C. McGivern Man Nonpartisan 6,646 48.61

Special election to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Senator Richard N. Gardner on October 1, 1943 to become a Referee in Bankruptcy with the U.S. District Courts.

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11/07/1944 State Senate, District 36 Special Archie H. Miller (Nonpartisan) won with 25,151 votes (69.50%) and a winning margin of +38.99
Candidate Gender Party Votes Percent
Archie H. Miller Man Nonpartisan 25,151 69.50
Myron D. (My) Richards Man Nonpartisan 11,039 30.50

Special election to fill the vacancy caused by Miller's own resignation to serve as lieutenant governor from May 6, 1943 to January 2, 1945. Miller resigned his seat on May 10, 1943.

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11/07/1944 State House, District 47 General John Jacobson (Nonpartisan) won with 3,253 votes (61.03%) and a winning margin of +22.06
Candidate Gender Party Votes Percent
John Jacobson Man Nonpartisan 3,253 61.03
Ludwig Elvehjem Incumbent Man Nonpartisan 2,077 38.97