1918 Election Cycle

The only casualty in the June 1918 primary in races for statewide office was Republican Clerk of the Supreme Court Irving Caswell, who lost his party's nomination by 0.9 points to the Nonpartisan League-backed candidate Herman Mueller.

In the general election, Republicans ran the table with Mueller’s victory and seven incumbents holding their seats by double-digit margins: Governor J.A.A. Burnquist, Lieutenant Governor Thomas Frankson, Secretary of State Julius Schmahl (to a record seventh term), Auditor J.A.O. Preus, appointed Attorney General Clifford Hilton, Treasurer Henry Rines, and appointed Railroad and Warehouse Commissioner Fred Putnam.

In federal races, U.S. Senator Knute Nelson won his fifth and final term. No Democratic nominee was in the race but National (Prohibitionist) nominee Willis Calderwood won 39.9 percent. In elections to the U.S. House, Freshman U.S. Representative Ernest Lundeen was ousted in the 5th CD GOP primary by Hennepin County assistant prosecuting attorney Walter Newton by 4.1 points in a five-candidate field. In the general election, five-term Republican Clarence Miller lost his 8th CD seat to Union Labor nominee William Carss. The GOP technically gained a seat with Progressive 10th CD Congressman Thomas Schall accepting the GOP nomination and winning reelection. Democrats maintained their hold on their lone seat - Carl Van Dyke’s 4th CD seat based in St. Paul, although he would pass away in May 1919.

Supreme Court Chief Justice Calvin Brown and Associated Justices Andrew Holt and Oscar Hallam were also reelected.