Rankin won election again to the House in 1940, at the age of 60, defeating incumbent Jacob Thorkelson, an outspoken antisemite, in the July primary, and former representative Jerry J. O'Connell in the general election.
Rankin won election again to the House in 1940. This was at the age of 60. Rankin was defeating incumbent Jacob Thorkelson in the July primary. Rankin was defeating former representative Jerry J. O'Connell in the general election. Incumbent Jacob Thorkelson was an outspoken antisemite.