Baker defeated Commissioner Marshall in the Republican convention nomination vote by a 155 to 144 margin.
Baker was a general from Mankato, former Ohio Secretary of State (1856-1858), former Minnesota Secretary of State (1860-1862), former state Commissioner of Pensions, state Surveyor General, Democratic-Farmers Alliance nominee for the 2nd CD in 1890, Democratic nominee for HD 10 in 1892, Democratic nominee for the 2nd CD in 1894, and Republican nominee for SD 11 in 1906.
Cook was a resident of Owatonna, and chair of the Democratic 1st Congressional District Committee. He would serve as Mayor of Owatonna and committed suicide on July 20, 1905.
Goar was a farmer from Morristown and Greenback-Labor nominee for Treasurer in 1879.