The election for this seat was for a six-year term.
Petersen was an editor and publisher from Askov, a former state Representative (HD 56, 1931-1935), former Farmer-Labor Lieutenant Governor (1935-1936), former Farmer-Labor Governor (1936-1937), former Farmer-Labor Railroad and Warehouse Commissioner (1937-1943), Farmer-Labor candidate for Governor in 1938, Farmer-Labor nominee for Governor in 1940 and 1942, Republican candidate for Governor in 1946, DFL candidate for Governor in 1950, and DFL candidate for U.S. Senate in 1958.
Lundquist was an accountant and turkey raiser from Owatonna and GOP nominee for Railroad and Warehouse Commissioner in 1956.