Arnold P. Benson

Arnold P. Benson was born March 5, 1896, in Batavia, Illinois to Swedish American immigrants.

[3] At the time of his election, he was serving his third term as member of the Board of Education of School District No.

[2] Benson served as president pro tempore of the Illinois Senate during the 61st and 62nd General Assembly.

He defeated William G. Stratton for the Republican nomination, but lost in the general election to Illinois Auditor of Public Accounts and Democratic candidate Edward J. Barrett.

After his loss, in 1945, he was appointed by Governor Dwight H. Green to serve as the Director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture.