Freeman, the party-endorsed candidate, was a Minneapolis attorney and future governor (1955-1961). Freeman sought the DFL endorsement for Governor at the state convention, but lost to Harry Peterson.
Ryan, a Minneapolis attorney, was the Democrat nominee for lieutenant governor in 1940, candidate for U.S. Senate in 1946, and candidate for the 2nd CD in 1960.
Peterson was an attorney from Long Prairie, former Todd County Attorney, Minnesota Liquor Control Commissioner, nominee for Associate Justice of the Supreme Court in 1942 and 1944, and candidate for Railroad and Warehouse Commissioner in 1952.
Omvedt, a resident of Minneapolis, was defeated in the 1948 DFL primary for attorney general.