1946 Election Cycle

Republicans swept all statewide partisan elections once again. Associate Supreme Court Justice Luther Youngdahl held the open seat race for Governor with the remaining seven state incumbents also securing another term: Lieutenant Governor C. Elmer Anderson, Secretary of State Mike Holm, Auditor Stafford King, Attorney General J.A.A. Burnquist, Treasurer Julius Schmahl, Railroad and Warehouse Commissioner N.J. Holmberg, and Clerk of the Supreme Court Grace Kaercher Davis.

Republican U.S. Senator Henrik Shipstead failed in his bid for a fifth term, losing his party’s primary to Governor Edward Thye. In races for the U.S. House, Republicans netted one seat for an eight to one advantage over the DFL. The GOP took back the 3rd CD with George MacKinnon winning the open seat race as well as the 4th CD with Edward Devitt unseating Frank Starkey. The DFL, meanwhile, knocked William Pittenger out of office in the 8th CD behind John Blatnik.

In the non-partisan election for two Associate Justice of the Supreme Court seats, Julius Olson won reelection but appointed Justice William Christianson was defeated. Waseca attorney William Gallagher claimed the second seat.

Elections

Date Office Stage Winners Details
11/05/1946 State Senate, District 21 General Henry Wagener (Nonpartisan) won with 7,574 votes (64.34%) and a winning margin of +28.69
Candidate Gender Party Votes Percent
Henry Wagener Incumbent Man Nonpartisan 7,574 64.34
William Witt Man Nonpartisan 4,197 35.66
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11/05/1946 State Senate, District 20 General Sam W. (S.W.) Dennison (Nonpartisan) won with 8,426 votes (65.21%) and a winning margin of +30.41
Candidate Gender Party Votes Percent
Sam W. (S.W.) Dennison Incumbent Man Nonpartisan 8,426 65.21
Rocco Verderosa Man Nonpartisan 4,496 34.79
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11/05/1946 State Senate, District 19 General Grover C. George (Nonpartisan) won with 6,356 votes (59.39%) and a winning margin of +18.77
Candidate Gender Party Votes Percent
Grover C. George Man Nonpartisan 6,356 59.39
George W. Freeman Man Nonpartisan 4,347 40.61
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11/05/1946 State Senate, District 18 General Ralph B. Goodhue (Nonpartisan) won with 4,860 votes (55.48%) and a winning margin of +10.96
Candidate Gender Party Votes Percent
Ralph B. Goodhue Incumbent Man Nonpartisan 4,860 55.48
Terry P. Peterson Man Nonpartisan 3,900 44.52
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11/05/1946 State House, District 14 General Aubrey W. Dirlam (Nonpartisan) won with 3,863 votes (68.29%) and a winning margin of +36.57
Candidate Gender Party Votes Percent
Aubrey W. Dirlam Incumbent Man Nonpartisan 3,863 68.29
Joe Pistulka Man Nonpartisan 1,794 31.71
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