The election for this seat was for a six-year term.
Nolan was a resident of Minneapolis, former state Representative (HD 42, 1903-1909; HD 43, 1911-1915; HD 33, 1917-1925), former Lieutenant Governor (1925-1929), and former U.S. Representative (CD 05, 1929-1933). Nolan died in office on August 3, 1943. Governor Edward Thye appointed Rollin Johnson to fill the vacancy on August 12, 1943. Johnson was an attorney from Forest Lake, sitting state Representative (HD 43, 1925-1931, 1935-1943), and GOP candidate for Railroad and Warehouse Commissioner in the September 1942 primary, where he placed second out of 10 candidates.
Charles Johnson was a farmer from Round Lake, state vice chairman of the Farmer Holiday Association, and Farmer-Labor candidate for Railroad and Warehouse Commissioner in 1934 and 1936.
Cosgrove was a resident of Minneapolis, cashier for the Great Northern Railway, Democratic nominee for Railroad and Warehouse Commissioner in 1936, 1938, and 1940, DFL nominee for Railroad and Warehouse Commissioner in 1944, and DFL candidate for Railroad and Warehouse Commissioner in 1946.
Kelly was a resident of Minneapolis and was nominated by petition.