Senator Shipstead was reelected to a third term.
Hoidale was an attorney and former state Commissioner of Agriculture, Dairy and Food from Minneapolis, former prosecuting attorney of Brown County (1900-1906), former judge advocate of the state militia (1900-1908), Democratic candidate for the 5th CD in 1910 and 1912, Democratic nominee for the 5th CD in 1929, Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate in 1930, and a U.S. Representative (At-large, 1933-1935).
Holmberg was a farmer from Renville, former state Representative (HD 22, 1907-1915), state Senator (SD 23, 1915-1919), Commissioner of Agriculture (1919-1931), candidate for Governor in 1930, nominee for an at-large U.S. House seat in 1932, and independent candidate for U.S. Senate in 1936. Holmberg would later win election to the Minnesota Railroad and Warehouse Commission (1940-1951).
Tiala was a resident of Waterville and national secretary of the United Farmers' League. He was nominated by petition.
Kaplan was a businessman from Bemidji, former Mayor of Bemidji, and Public Ownership nominee for the 8th CD in 1912. He was nominated by petition.