1916 Election Cycle

In March 1916, Minnesota held its first presidential primaries. Democratic President Woodrow Wilson ran unopposed and Iowa U.S. Senator Albert Cummins easily won a three-candidate race for the Republicans. In November, Wilson nearly became the first Democrat to carry Minnesota – losing to Charles Evans Hughes by 392 votes (0.1 percent) – in what would go down as the closest presidential race in state history. Only New Hampshire served up a more competitive race this cycle (0.06 points).

The Democratic Party was in disarray in the remaining statewide races. Governor J.A.A. Burnquist was elected by 39.1 points – the biggest blowout in Minnesota history for the office. Democrats failed to field a nominee for the first time in history in races for Secretary of State (Julius Schmahl was reelected to a record sixth term), Attorney General (Lyndon Smith winning a fourth term), and Treasurer (with Henry Rines winning an open seat). Republican Railroad and Warehouse Commissioner Ira Mills was also reelected and the GOP also won the open seat for Lieutenant Governor (Thomas Frankson).

In the U.S. Senate, Moses Clapp lost his first direct election to the chamber when he placed a distant third with just 15.2 percent in the June Republican primary behind nominee Frank Kellogg and former Governor Adolph Eberhart. Kellogg easily dispatched with Democratic nominee Daniel Lawler by 17.7 points with Prohibitionist Willis Calderwood receiving and impressive 20.6 percent of the vote.

Two-term Republican U.S. Representative George Smith lost the 5th CD primary to Ernest Lundeen as the lone incumbent to seek and lose renomination. Partisan control of all 10 seats remained the same: eight Republican-held, one Democratic (the 4th), and one Progressive (the 10th).

Appointed Supreme Court Associate Justice Albert Schaller failed to be nominated after placing third in the June primary in a seat won by Winona attorney and former state Representative William Anderson in November.

Elections

Date Office Stage Winners Details
11/07/1916 State House, District 28 General Ambrose Leo (A.L.) Lennon (Nonpartisan) won with 2,481 votes (29.54%) and a winning margin of +6.11
Leo J. Gleason (Nonpartisan) won with 2,157 votes (25.68%) and a winning margin of +2.25
Candidate Gender Party Votes Percent
Ambrose Leo (A.L.) Lennon Incumbent Man Nonpartisan 2,481 29.54
Leo J. Gleason Man Nonpartisan 2,157 25.68
Richard Dunleavy Incumbent Man Nonpartisan 1,968 23.43
George V. Ziemer Man Nonpartisan 1,792 21.34
11/07/1916 State House, District 23 General Carl F. (C.F.) Neitzel (Nonpartisan) won with 2,325 votes (53.13%) and a winning margin of +6.26
Candidate Gender Party Votes Percent
Carl F. (C.F.) Neitzel Incumbent Man Nonpartisan 2,325 53.13
Albert Hohle Man Nonpartisan 2,051 46.87

Hohle was a resident of Hector.

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11/07/1916 State House, District 20 General Robert Carmichael (Nonpartisan) won with 2,369 votes (52.83%) and a winning margin of +5.66
Candidate Gender Party Votes Percent
Robert Carmichael Incumbent Man Nonpartisan 2,369 52.83
Thomas (T.H.) Prince Man Nonpartisan 2,115 47.17

Rematch. Prince was a contractor from South St. Paul and former Republican state Representative (HD 20, 1913-1915).

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11/07/1916 State House, District 18 General Walter H. McLaughlin (Nonpartisan) won with 2,677 votes (54.43%) and a winning margin of +8.87
Candidate Gender Party Votes Percent
Walter H. McLaughlin Incumbent Man Nonpartisan 2,677 54.43
Herman Roe Man Nonpartisan 2,241 45.57

Roe was a resident of Northfield.

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11/07/1916 U.S. House, District 01 General Sydney Anderson (Republican) won with 25,278 votes (65.54%) and a winning margin of +31.08
Candidate Gender Party Votes Percent
Sydney Anderson Incumbent Man Republican 25,278 65.54
Henry M. Lamberton Man Democrat 13,290 34.46