The incumbent, Republican Senator Milton Young, sought and received re-election to his third term, defeating North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party candidate Quentin N. Burdick, son of North Dakota congressman Usher L.
[1] Only Young filed as a Republican, and the endorsed Democratic candidate was Quentin Burdick, the son of well-known politician Usher Burdick, and former candidate for Governor of North Dakota.
Young and Burdick won the primary elections for their respective parties.
He would later be elected to the state's House district in 1958, and then to the other Senate seat in 1960, where he would serve for 32 years until his death in 1992.
Townley would later seek the state's other senate seat in 1958 (see election), and was known for creating the National Non-Partisan League.