Knutson was appointed to the seat by Governor C. Elmer Anderson after the resignation of Commissioner Leonard Lindquist effective effective May 31, 1952. Knutson was an attorney and the assistant bus and truck supervisor of the Railroad and Warehouse Commission. Knutson's loss was the 11th defeat by a Railroad / Railroad and Warehouse Commissioner at the ballot box following Anti-Monopolist Alonzo Edgerton in 1875, Republican-turned-Prohibitionist William Marshall in 1881, Democratic-People's nominees Peter Rindal and Thomas Knox in 1900, Republican Christian Laurisch in 1934, Republican Frank Matson in 1936, Farmer-Laborite Harold Atwood in 1938, Farmer-Laborite Charles Munn in 1940, and Republican Rollin Johnson in the 1944 GOP primary and 1948 general election.
Lund was a resident of Minneapolis, real estate salesman, former Minneapolis Alderman, candidate for Railroad and Warehouse Commissioner in 1942, and candidate for the 3rd CD in 1946.
Lee was a farmer from Annendale, former state Representative (HD 27, 1933-1937, 1939-1951), nominee for the 6th CD in 1950, and candidate for Railroad and Warehouse Commssioner in 1954.
Peterson was an attorney from St. Paul and candidate for Railroad and Warehouse Commissioner in the 1950 special election.
Davidson was a farmer from Moose Lake, editor of the Moose Lake Star-Gazette, and candidate for Railroad and Warehouse Commissioner in 1946.