1938 Election Cycle

Republicans rebounded from a devastating 1936 election cycle by flipping six Farmer-Labor held seats for statewide office. Harold Stassen unseated Governor Elmer Benson, former Governor J.A.A. Burnquist defeated appointed Attorney General William Ervin, Julius Schmahl won back his old seat against Treasurer C.A. Halverson, Frank Matson returned to the Railroad and Warehouse Commission by unseating appointed Commissioner Harold Atwood, Grace Kaerchner Davis won back her position as Clerk of the Supreme Court, and C. Elmer Anderson won the open seat for Lieutenant Governor. Republicans Mike Holm and Stafford King were also reelected as Secretary of State and Auditor respectively.

Republicans picked up four U.S. House seats from Farmer-Laborite incumbents: John Alexander over Henry Teigan in the 3rd CD, Oscar Youngdahl over Dewey Johnson in the 5th CD, H. Carl Andersen over Paul John Kvale in the 7th CD, and former Congressman William Pittenger over John Bernard in the 8th CD. Republicans won seven seats with one each for the Democrats and Farmer-Laborites.

Associate Justices Charles Loring and Harry Peterson also won elections to the Supreme Court.

Elections

Date Office Stage Winners Details
11/08/1938 State House, District 67 General Louis Enstrom (Nonpartisan) won with 3,353 votes (64.10%) and a winning margin of +28.20
Candidate Gender Party Votes Percent
Louis Enstrom Man Nonpartisan 3,353 64.10
Gottfred (G.T.) Nelson Man Nonpartisan 1,878 35.90

Enstrom was a farmer from Roseau and former state Representative (HD 67, 1919-1931).

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11/08/1938 State House, District 67 General H.S. Beckwith (Nonpartisan) won with 3,112 votes (50.06%) and a winning margin of +0.13
Candidate Gender Party Votes Percent
H.S. Beckwith Man Nonpartisan 3,112 50.06
Emil Morberg Incumbent Man Nonpartisan 3,104 49.94
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11/08/1938 State House, District 67 General Elias (E.B.) Herseth (Nonpartisan) won with 2,376 votes (53.98%) and a winning margin of +7.95
Candidate Gender Party Votes Percent
Elias (E.B.) Herseth Man Nonpartisan 2,376 53.98
Martin P. Lager Man Nonpartisan 2,026 46.02

Lager was a resident of Bronson and former state Representative (HD 67, 1929-1937).

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11/08/1938 State House, District 66 General Walter S. Duckstad (Nonpartisan) won with 7,427 votes (29.68%) and a winning margin of +5.29
George Hagen (Nonpartisan) won with 6,492 votes (25.94%) and a winning margin of +1.55
Candidate Gender Party Votes Percent
Walter S. Duckstad Incumbent Man Nonpartisan 7,427 29.68
George Hagen Incumbent Man Nonpartisan 6,492 25.94
Ole J. Aspen Man Nonpartisan 6,103 24.39
Wilbert (W.J.) Durbahn Man Nonpartisan 5,005 20.00
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11/08/1938 State Senate, District 13 General Ansgar L. (A.L.) Almen (Nonpartisan) won with 8,659 votes (61.04%) and a winning margin of +22.09
Candidate Gender Party Votes Percent
Ansgar L. (A.L.) Almen Incumbent Man Nonpartisan 8,659 61.04
Charles A. McGuiggan Man Nonpartisan 5,526 38.96
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