This marked the 15th consecutive GOP victory for the office. This was also the most narrowly decided election for Lieutenant Governor since 1857 when Democrat William Holcolmbe defeated Republican John Ide by 3.28 points.
Ives was a sitting state Senator (SD 17, 1887-1891) and attorney from Saint Peter.
Pahl was a resident of New Ulm and member of the city Board of Education.
Barrett was a resident of Browns Valley. Barrett was the Prohibition Party nomination who was later endorsed by the Farmers' Aliiance.