Traverse County

Traverse County is located in West Central Minnesota along the South Dakota border and was established on February 20, 1862 by the State Legislature. Traverse County is named after Lake Traverse from the Dakota word meaning "lake lying crosswise." Wheaton is the county seat. Source: Minnesota Geographic Names, by Warren Upham (Minnesota Historical Society, 1969).

Notable candidates from Traverse County include:

  • Samuel Y. Gordon (resident): Republican Lieutenant Governor (1911-1913) and State Representative (1915-1917)


Minnesota Department of Transportation.

Legislative Districts

Congressional Districts
Starting Ending Districts
1862 1863 At-Large
1863 1873 CD 02
1873 1883 CD 03
1883 1893 CD 05
1893 1933 CD 07
1933 1935 At-Large
1935 1983 CD 07
1983 1993 CD 02
1993 2033 CD 07
Senate Districts
Starting Ending Districts
1872 1882 SD 41
1882 1891 SD 42
1891 1899 SD 49
1899 1915 SD 57
1915 1963 SD 48
1963 1973 SD 24
1973 1993 SD 11
1993 2003 SD 13
2003 2013 SD 09
2013 2023 SD 12
2023 2033 SD 09
House Districts
Starting Ending Districts
1872 1882 HD 41
1882 1891 HD 42
1891 1899 HD 49
1899 1915 HD 57
1915 1963 HD 48
1963 1967 HD 24
1967 1973 HD 24B
1973 1993 HD 11A
1993 2003 HD 13A
2003 2013 HD 09B
2013 2023 HD 12A
2023 2033 HD 09A

Candidates

Candidate Birth county Residence county Elections
Adlard, James Out of state Traverse 1914, State House, District 48, General (Nonpartisan, Lost)
1912, State House, District 57, General (Democrat, Lost)
1910, State House, District 57, General (Democrat, Lost)
1910, State House, District 57, Primary (Democrat, Won)
1908, State House, District 57, General (Democrat, Lost)
1908, State House, District 57, Primary (Democrat, Won)
Anderson, Oscar M. Traverse Hennepin 1930, Auditor, Primary (Republican, Lost)
Anderson, Victor Emanuel Traverse Ramsey Traverse 1938, Governor, Primary (Democrat, Lost)
1932, U.S. House, Primary (Democrat, Lost)
Anderson, Victor Emanuel Traverse Ramsey Traverse 1938, Governor, Primary (Democrat, Lost)
1932, U.S. House, Primary (Democrat, Lost)
Backer, Jeff Big Stone Traverse 2022, State House, District 09A, General (Republican, Won)
2020, State House, District 12A, General (Republican, Won)
2018, State House, District 12A, General (Republican, Won)
2016, State House, District 12A, General (Republican, Won)
2014, State House, District 12A, General (Republican, Won)
2014, State House, District 12A, Primary (Republican, Won)
2010, State Senate, District 09, General (Republican, Lost)
Barrett, J.O. Out of state Traverse 1890, Lieutenant Governor, General (Prohibition-Farmers' Alliance, Lost)
Becker, George I. Traverse 1892, State House, District 49, General (Democrat, Lost)
Becker, John Out of state Traverse 1902, State Senate, District 57, General (Democrat, Lost)
Benson, Cliff (C.J.) Traverse Big Stone 1970, State Senate, District 24, General (Nonpartisan, Won)
1966, State Senate, District 24, General (Nonpartisan, Won)
1966, State Senate, District 24, Primary (Nonpartisan, Won)
1962, State Senate, District 24, General (Nonpartisan, Won)
1958, State Senate, District 48, General (Nonpartisan, Won)
1958, State Senate, District 48, Primary (Nonpartisan, Won)
Berg, Colin Traverse Renville 2004, State House, District 20B, General (Republican, Lost)
2004, State House, District 20B, Primary (Republican, Won)
2002, State House, District 20B, General (Republican, Lost)
2002, State House, District 20B, Primary (Republican, Won)