The Great Depression continued and voters backed progressive candidates favoring Roosevelt's New Deal in races across the country.

The Democrats gained 5 net seats during the election, and in combination with Democratic and Farmer–Labor interim appointments and the defection of George W. Norris from the Republican Party to become independent, the Republicans were reduced to 16 seats.

This was the last of four consecutive election cycles where Republicans suffered losses due to the ongoing effects of the Great Depression.

Six Republicans and one Democrat sought re-election but lost in the primary or general election.

Democrat William Luther Hill was appointed July 1, 1936, to continue the term, pending a special election.

Elmer A. Benson Farmer–Labor Guy V. Howard Republican The election was held to fill the vacancy in the seat formerly held by Thomas D. Schall for the final two months of Schall's unexpired term.

Governor Floyd B. Olson had appointed Elmer Benson to fill the seat in 1935, but this appointment was temporary and subject to a special election held in the next general election year thereafter—1936.

Regardless of the absence of Farmer-Labor and Democratic nominees, Howard nevertheless faced a great degree of competition from independent candidates Nathaniel J. Holmberg, Andrew Olaf Devold, and John G. Alexander.