This was the second most narrowly decided Republican primary for Lieutenant Governor in Minnesota history.
Anderson was a resident of Brainerd, former chairman of the Crow Wing County Young Republican League, and owner and president of a newspaper and magazine wholesaling business.
Sweitzer was a contractor from St. Paul, former state Representative (HD 42, 1921-1937), and candidate for Lieutenant Governor in 1936.
Johnson worked in the insurance business in Duluth and was a former state Representative (HD 59, 1925-1937) and House Speaker (1935-1937).