1948 United States Senate election in Minnesota

The 1948 United States Senate election in Minnesota took place on November 2, 1948. It was the first election held for Minnesota's Class 2 seat in the United States Senate since the Minnesota Democratic Party and the Farmer-Labor Party of Minnesota merged in 1944 to form the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party. Democratic Mayor of Minneapolis and future Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey defeated incumbent Republican Joseph H. Ball, who sought a third term in the Senate. This is the first time a Democrat won a Senate seat in Minnesota through a popular vote election, as they last held a seat in 1901, and last won this seat in 1859.

1948 United States Senate election in Minnesota

← 1942 November 2, 1948 1954 →
 
Nominee Hubert H. Humphrey Joseph H. Ball
Party Democratic (DFL) Republican
Popular vote 729,494 485,801
Percentage 59.78% 39.81%

County results
Humphrey:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Ball:      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election

Joseph H. Ball
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Hubert H. Humphrey
Democratic (DFL)

Democratic–Farmer-Labor primary

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Candidates

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Declared

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Results

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Democratic primary election results[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic (DFL) Hubert H. Humphrey 204,175 89.07%
Democratic (DFL) James M. Shields 25,051 10.93%
Total votes 229,226 100.00%

Republican primary

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Candidates

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Declared

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Results

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Republican primary election results[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Joseph H. Ball (Incumbent) 269,863 79.42%
Republican Earl L. Miller 51,801 15.26%
Republican Lenore Irene Bussmann 18,060 5.32%
Total votes 339,455 100.00%

General election

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Results

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General election results[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic (DFL) Hubert H. Humphrey 729,494 59.78%
Republican Joseph H. Ball (Incumbent) 485,801 39.81%
Socialist Workers Vincent R. Dunne 4,951 0.41%
Total votes 1,220,246 100.00%
Majority 243,693 19.97%
Democratic (DFL) gain from Republican

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Primary Election Returns on Election held September 14, 1948" (PDF). Minnesota Legislature.
  2. ^ "General Election Returns on Election held November 2, 1948" (PDF). Minnesota Legislature.