This was an open seat race as Lieutenant Governor Charles Adams did not seek nomination and instead ran for reelection to his state Senate seat.
Hougen was an attorney from Fisher and sitting state Senator (SD 66, 1927-1931). He was nominated with the lowest percentage of the vote for the office in GOP history.
Lund was a banker and attorney from Vining, a sitting state Senator (SD 50, 1923-1931), a Republican candidate for Treasurer in 1920, for an at-large U.S. House seat in 1932, and for the 9th CD in 1938. Lund ran as an independent for the U.S. Senate in 1930 following this primary defeat.
Thoreen was a resident of Stillwater, Minnesota Republican State Central Committee director of organization, Republican candidate for the 3rd CD in 1922, non-partisan nominee for the SD 43 special election in 1935, and non-partisan candidate for the Supreme Court in 1942.
Rask was a bank president from Blooming Prairie, former state Senator (SD 16, 1917-1923), and candidate for Lieutenant Governor in 1924.
Hawley was a former Alderman from Minneapolis and candidate for HD 29 in 1928.
Rutledge was a resident of Minneapolis, Progressive nominee for the 10th CD in 1922, Republican candidate for the 10th CD in 1924, and non-partisan candidate for HD 35 in 1926 and 1928.
Grondahl was a resident of Red Wing, publisher of the Red Wing Daily Republican, and former state Representative (HD 21, 1895-1898; HD 29, 1899-1901).