1942 United States Senate special election in Minnesota

1942 United States Senate special election in Minnesota
	County results; Nelson: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80%; Hansen: 40–50% 50–60%
U.S. senator before election; Joseph H. Ball ; Republican	Elected U.S. senator; Arthur E. Nelson ; Republican

Last updated June 19, 2025

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 for the final two months of Lundeen's unexpired term. Governor Harold Stassen had appointed Joseph H. Ball 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 nominated Arthur E. Nelson, 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.

Farmer–Labor primary

Candidates

Declared

Al Hansen, 1939 Farmer–Labor candidate for Mayor of Minneapolis (unsuccessful)
John T. Lyons

Results

Farmer–Labor special primary election results^[1]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Farmer–Labor	Al Hansen	47,513	52.11%
	Farmer–Labor	John T. Lyons	43,660	47.89%
Total votes			91,173	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

Declared

Cliff Blanchard
Harry Lee
Arthur E. Nelson, Former Mayor of St. Paul (1922–1926)
Wilber L. Paulson
Robert J. Seiberlich
John A. Thompson
Mrs. Mat Wagner

Results

Republican special primary election results^[1]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Arthur E. Nelson	148,965	47.41%
	Republican	Henry Lee	34,889	11.11%
	Republican	Cliff Blanchard	33,331	10.61%
	Republican	John A. Thompson	31,330	9.97%
	Republican	Mrs. Mat Wagner	26,117	8.31%
	Republican	Robert J. Seiberlich	21,629	6.88%
	Republican	Wilber L. Paulson	17,933	5.71%
Total votes			314,194	100.00%

Special election

Results

Special election results^[2]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Arthur E. Nelson	372,240	56.12%
	Farmer–Labor	Al Hansen	177,008	26.68%
	Democratic	John E. O'Rourke	114,086	17.20%
Total votes			663,334	100.00%
Majority			195,232	29.44%
	Republican hold

References

1 2 "Primary Election Returns - Congressional Vote, Primary Election, September 8, 1942" (PDF). Minnesota Legislature.
↑ "General Election Returns, November 3, 1942" (PDF). Minnesota Legislature.

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[mnprimaryresults-1] 1 2 "Primary Election Returns - Congressional Vote, Primary Election, September 8, 1942" (PDF). Minnesota Legislature.

[2] "General Election Returns, November 3, 1942" (PDF). Minnesota Legislature.

[1]

[2]

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1942 United States Senate special election in Minnesota

Contents

Farmer–Labor primary

Candidates

Declared

Results

Republican primary

Candidates

Declared

Results

Special election

Results

See also

References