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    Swenson, Erling

    Sessions Served    Other Information

    House 1919 (District 35); House 1921-26 (District 35); Senate 1927-30 (District 35)

    Party when first elected:  Nonpartisan Election

    Counties Served:  Hennepin

    BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

    Date of Birth: 10/5/1885
    Birth Place: Minneapolis, Minnesota
    Birth County: Hennepin
    Birth Country: United States
    Date of Death: 10/6/1974
    Gender: Male
    Religion:
    Reported Minority: None Reported
    Other Names:
    Alternate Spelling of Last Name: Swensen
    City of Residence (when first elected): Minneapolis
    Occupation (when first elected): Practicing Law

    EDUCATION

    Minneapolis North High School; Secondary; Graduate
    University of Minnesota, Law School; Law Degree; Night Law Course

    OTHER GOVERNMENT SERVICE

    State Agency: Minnesota State Conservation Department, Game and Fish Division (Director); 1933 to 1935

    FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

    Spouse: Emma
    Children: Two children: Mrs. Gerald Elbers and Mrs. Robert Omoth (daughters)
    Family Members Who Have Served in the Minnesota Legislature:

    GENERAL NOTES

    His last name is listed as Swensen in the contested election documentation from the 1918 election. All other sources list Swenson.

    He was an unsuccessful Farmer-Labor Party candidate for the 10th Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives in 1930.

    He was an unsuccessful candidate for the United States Congress in 1942 and 1948.

    He was an unsuccessful candidate for Minnesota Attorney General in 1954.

    He was a member of the Minneapolis North High School championship football team in 1907.

    He died in Hennepin County, Minnesota.

    Most recent term photo
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    Total Days Served: 3677

    SESSIONS SERVED

    46th Legislative Session (1929-1930) (second half of Senate term)

      Session Details   Convened Date: 1/8/1929
    Body: Senate
    District: 35
    Elected: 11/2/1926
    Residence: Minneapolis
    Term of Office: 1/3/1927 to 1/4/1931
    Oath Date: 1/4/1927
    Counties Represented: Hennepin
    Occupation: Practicing Law
    Party: Nonpartisan Election
    Committees:
    • Cities of the First Class
    • Drainage
    • Judiciary
    • Public Domain
    • Public Welfare
    • Reforestation
    • Workmens Compensation

    45th Legislative Session (1927-1928)

      Session Details   Convened Date: 1/4/1927
    Body: Senate
    District: 35
    Elected: 11/2/1926
    Residence: Minneapolis
    Term of Office: 1/3/1927 to 1/4/1931
    Oath Date: 1/4/1927
    Counties Represented: Hennepin
    Occupation: Practicing Law
    Party: Nonpartisan Election
    Committees:
    • Cities of the First Class
    • Drainage
    • Game and Fish
    • Judiciary
    • Public Domain
    • Public Health
    • Workmens Compensation
    term photo
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    44th Legislative Session (1925-1926)

      Session Details   Convened Date: 1/6/1925
    Body: House
    District: 35
    Elected: 11/4/1924
    Residence: Minneapolis
    Term of Office: 1/5/1925 to 1/2/1927
    Oath Date: 1/6/1925
    Counties Represented: Hennepin
    Occupation: Practicing Law
    Party: Nonpartisan Election
    Committees:
    • Corporations
    • Drainage
    • Game and Fish
    • Judiciary
    • Public Domain
    • Workmens Compensation

    43rd Legislative Session (1923-1924)

      Session Details   Convened Date: 1/2/1923
    Body: House
    District: 35
    Elected: 11/7/1922
    Residence: Minneapolis
    Term of Office: 1/1/1923 to 1/4/1925
    Oath Date: 1/2/1923
    Counties Represented: Hennepin
    Occupation: Practicing Law
    Party: Nonpartisan Election
    Committees:
    • Commerce, Manufacture and Retail Trade
    • Corporations (Chair)
    • Drainage
    • Game and Fish
    • Judiciary
    • Workmens Compensation
    term photo
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    42nd Legislative Session (1921-1922)

      Session Details   Convened Date: 1/4/1921
    Body: House
    District: 35
    Elected: 11/2/1920
    Residence: Minneapolis
    Term of Office: 1/3/1921 to 12/31/1922
    Oath Date: 1/4/1921
    Counties Represented: Hennepin
    Occupation: Practicing Law
    Party: Nonpartisan Election
    Committees:
    • Cities
    • Game and Fish
    • Judiciary
    • Public Domain
    term photo
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    41st Legislative Session (1919-1920)

      Session Details   Convened Date: 1/7/1919
    Body: House
    District: 35
    Elected: 11/5/1918
    Residence: Minneapolis
    Term of Office: 1/6/1919 to 1/28/1919 (unfinished term)
    Oath Date: 1/7/1919
    Counties Represented: Hennepin
    Occupation: Practicing Law
    Party: Nonpartisan Election
    Committees:
    • Corporations
    • Insurance
    • Judiciary
    • Railroads
    • State Hospitals
    • Workmens Compensation
    Reason for unfinished term: Other - See Notes
    Session Notes: Erling Swenson was originally listed as the winner of the 1918 election by 66 votes. Henry W. Lauderdale contested the election results and a recount occurred. The recount showed that Lauderdale had won by 40 votes. Swenson then contested the election related to charges that Lauderdale had violated the Corrupt Practices Act including charges of paying for votes. After examining the evidence, the House ruled that Lauderdale was entitled to the seat.

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