The 1942 United States Senate special election in Minnesota took place on November 3, 1942. The election was held to fill the vacancy in the seat formerly held by the late

Ernest Lundeen Ernest Lundeen (August 4, 1878August 31, 1940) was an American lawyer and politician. Family and education Lundeen was born and raised on his father's homestead in Brooklyn Township of Lincoln County near Beresford in the Dakota Territory. H ...

for the final two months of Lundeen's unexpired term.

Governor A governor is an administrative leader and head of a polity or political region, ranking under the head of state and in some cases, such as governors-general, as the head of state's official representative. Depending on the type of political ...

Harold Stassen Harold Edward Stassen (April 13, 1907 – March 4, 2001) was an American politician who was the 25th Governor of Minnesota. He was a leading candidate for the Republican nomination for President of the United States in 1948, considered for a ti ...

had appointed

Joseph H. Ball Joseph Hurst Ball (November 3, 1905December 18, 1993) was an American journalist, politician and businessman. Ball served as a Republican senator from Minnesota from 1940 to 1949. He was a conservative in domestic policy and a leading foe of l ...

to fill the seat in 1940, but this appointment was temporary and subject to a special election held in the next general election year thereafter—1942. Ball opted to run for the full six-year term immediately following the end of Lundeen's term, instead of running for election to continue for the remainder of the term. In Ball's stead, the

Republican Party of Minnesota The Republican Party of Minnesota is the oldest active political party in the U.S. state of Minnesota. The Minnesota Republican Party’s platform is relatively moderate. The party’s main issues are economic growth, education, healthcare, civi ...

nominated

Arthur E. Nelson Arthur Emanuel Nelson (May 10, 1892April 11, 1955) was an American lawyer and politician who served briefly as a U.S. Senator from Minnesota during the end of 1942 and beginning of 1943 Early life and education Born in Browns Valley, Minnes ...

, who, in the special election, defeated both of his challengers—Al Hansen of the Farmer–Labor Party of Minnesota and John E. O'Rourke of the

Minnesota Democratic Party The Minnesota Democratic Party was a political party in Minnesota that existed from the formation of Minnesota Territory in 1849 until 1944, when the party merged with the Minnesota Farmer-Labor Party to form the modern Minnesota Democratic-Farme ...

. Following his 1940 appointment and subsequent election, Ball ultimately served the longest tenure of any Senator only elected once.

Farmer–Labor primary

Candidates

Declared

* Al Hansen, 1939 Farmer–Labor candidate for

Mayor of Minneapolis This is a list of mayors of Minneapolis, Minnesota. The current mayor is Jacob Frey (DFL). Minneapolis From 1867 to 1878 mayors were elected for a 1-year term. Beginning in 1878 the term was extended to 2 years. As the city became larger and mor ...

(unsuccessful) * John T. Lyons

Results

Republican primary

Candidates

Declared

* Cliff Blanchard * Harry Lee *

, Former Mayor of St. Paul (1922-1926) * Wilber L. Paulson * Robert J. Seiberlich * John A. Thompson * Mrs. Mat Wagner

Results

Special election

Results

References

{{US Third Party Election Minnesota 1942 Minnesota 1942 1942 Special Minnesota Special United States Senate Special United States Senate 1942

Farmer–Labor primary

Candidates

Declared

Results

Republican primary

Candidates

Declared

Results

Special election

Results

See also

References