1908 Election Cycle

With William Taft’s victory in Minnesota, Republican presidential nominees carried the state for the 13th consecutive cycle since statehood. The 26.1-point win was the third largest for Taft in the Midwest behind Michigan (29.5 points) and North Dakota (26.2 points) and the sixth largest in the nation.

Democratic Governor John Johnson nonetheless was reelected to a third term (by 8 points), although he died in office less than a year later in September 1909. Republican Lieutenant Governor Adolph Eberhart was easily reelected and succeeded Johnson. Additional Republicans winning reelection Secretary of State Julius Schmahl, Treasurer C.C. Dinehart, and Railroad and Warehouse Commissioner Ira Mills. The GOP also held open seats for Attorney General and another Railroad and Warehouse Commission slot with George Simpson and Charles Elmquist respectively.

Three-term Republican Congressman J. Adam Bede lost the 8th CD primary to state Representative Clarence Miller - the second incumbent to lose a congressional primary in Minnesota history. The GOP retained all eight seats in the general election with Democrat Winfield Hammond holding the 2nd CD.

Elections

Date Office Stage Winners Details
11/03/1908 State Senate, District 02 Special George H. French (Republican) won with 3,186 votes (50.60%) and a winning margin of +1.21
Candidate Gender Party Votes Percent
George H. French Man Republican 3,186 50.60
Mathew (M.J.) McGrath Man Democrat 3,110 49.40

Special election to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Democrat Patrick Fitzpatrick on August 31, 1908.

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11/03/1908 State House, District 63 General Gustaf (G.H.) Mattson (Republican) won with 3,178 votes (30.82%) and a winning margin of +13.86
Donald Robertson (Republican) won with 2,578 votes (25.00%) and a winning margin of +8.04
Candidate Gender Party Votes Percent
Gustaf (G.H.) Mattson Man Republican 3,178 30.82
Donald Robertson Incumbent Man Republican 2,578 25.00
C.A. Tullar Man Democrat 1,749 16.96
Louis Enstrom Man Public Ownership 1,133 10.99
Martin (M.) Bjornson Man Prohibition 1,114 10.80
Erick (E.L.) Erickson Man Prohibition 561 5.44
11/03/1908 State House, District 62 General John Saugstad (Republican) won with 3,593 votes (33.78%) and a winning margin of +20.22
John Holten (Republican) won with 3,567 votes (33.54%) and a winning margin of +19.97
Candidate Gender Party Votes Percent
John Saugstad Incumbent Man Republican 3,593 33.78
John Holten Incumbent Man Republican 3,567 33.54
W.W. Brown Man Democrat 1,443 13.57
Frank W. Kolars Man Democrat 1,361 12.80
W.B. Malung Man Public Ownership 424 3.99
Thomas Vollom Man Prohibition 247 2.32
11/03/1908 State House, District 61 General Jens J. Opsahl (Republican) won with 4,886 votes (78.13%) and a winning margin of +56.25
Candidate Gender Party Votes Percent
Jens J. Opsahl Incumbent Man Republican 4,886 78.13
Charles (C.G.) Forrest Man Prohibition 1,368 21.87
11/03/1908 State House, District 35 General John F. Selb (Republican) won with 1,918 votes (100.00%) and a winning margin of +100.00
Candidate Gender Party Votes Percent
John F. Selb Man Republican 1,918 100.00

Fifth Ward of St. Paul.

Selb was an attorney from St. Paul and former state Representative (HD 35, 1905-1907).

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