2006 United States gubernatorial elections

United States gubernatorial elections were held on November 7, 2006, in 36 states and two territories. The elections coincided with the midterm elections of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives.

2006 United States gubernatorial elections

November 7, 2006
38 governorships 36 states; 2 territories
Majority party Minority party   Party Democratic Republican Seats before 22 28 Seats after 28 22 Seat change 6 6 Seats up 14 22 Seats won 20 16
Map of the results      Republican hold      Democratic hold      Democratic gain      No election

Democrats won open Republican-held governorships in Arkansas, Colorado, Massachusetts, New York, and Ohio; and they defeated Republican incumbent Bob Ehrlich in Maryland while retaining all of their seats, including their lone open seat in Iowa. Meanwhile, Republicans held open seats in Florida, Idaho, and Nevada, as well as Alaska, where incumbent governor Frank Murkowski was defeated in the primary. Voters in the United States territories of Guam (then-Republican) and the United States Virgin Islands (then-Democratic, but term-limited) also chose their governors and voters elected a new mayor for the District of Columbia, the District's chief executive.

As part of the 2006 Democratic sweep, Democrats did not lose a single incumbent or open seat to the Republicans in any congressional or gubernatorial contest. The results of the 2006 elections gave Republicans 22 governors to the Democrats' 28, a reversal of the numbers held by the respective parties prior to the elections. Republicans held the majority of governorships from 1995 until 2007.

As of 2024, this election marked the last time that the Democratic Party won gubernatorial elections in Iowa, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, or Wyoming. This is also the very last gubernatorial election cycle in which the Republican Party won governorships in California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Minnesota, and Rhode Island to date.

Election ratings

State	Incumbent	Last race	Sabato November 6, 2006	Rothenberg November 2, 2006	Cook November 6, 2006	RCP November 6, 2006	Result
Alabama	Bob Riley	49.2% R	Likely R	Safe R	Safe R	Safe R	Riley (57.5%)
Alaska	Frank Murkowski	55.9% R	Leans R	Leans R	Tossup	Leans R	Palin (48.3%)
Arizona	Janet Napolitano	46.2% D	Safe D	Safe D	Safe D	Safe D	Napolitano (62.6%)
Arkansas	Mike Huckabee (Term-limited)	53.0% R	Likely D (flip)	Likely D (flip)	Leans D (flip)	Leans D (flip)	Beebe (55.6%)
California	Arnold Schwarzenegger	48.6% R	Likely R	Safe R	Leans R	Likely R	Schwarzenegger (55.9%)
Colorado	Bill Owens (Term-limited)	62.6% R	Likely D (flip)	Likely D (flip)	Likely D (flip)	Likely D (flip)	Ritter (57.0%)
Connecticut	Jodi Rell	56.1% R	Safe R	Safe R	Safe R	Safe R	Rell (63.2%)
Florida	Jeb Bush (Term-limited)	56.0% R	Leans R	Likely R	Leans R	Leans R	Crist (52.2%)
Georgia	Sonny Perdue	51.4% R	Likely R	Safe R	Leans R	Likely R	Perdue (58.0%)
Hawaii	Linda Lingle	51.6% R	Safe R	Safe R	Safe R	Safe R	Lingle (62.5%)
Idaho	Jim Risch (Retired)	56.3% R	Tilt R	Leans R	Tossup	Tossup	Otter (52.7%)
Illinois	Rod Blagojevich	52.2% D	Leans D	Likely D	Leans D	Leans D	Blagojevich (49.8%)
Iowa	Tom Vilsack (Retired)	52.7% D	Leans D	Leans D	Tossup	Leans D	Culver (54.0%)
Kansas	Kathleen Sebelius	52.9% D	Likely D	Safe D	Safe D	Likely D	Sebelius (57.9%)
Maine	John Baldacci	47.1% D	Leans D	Likely D	Leans D	Leans D	Baldacci (38.1%)
Maryland	Bob Ehrlich	51.5% R	Leans D (flip)	Leans D (flip)	Tossup	Tossup	O'Malley (52.7%)
Massachusetts	Mitt Romney (Retired)	49.8% R	Likely D (flip)	Likely D (flip)	Leans D (flip)	Likely D (flip)	Patrick (55.6%)
Michigan	Jennifer Granholm	51.4% D	Leans D	Likely D	Tossup	Leans D	Granholm (56.4%)
Minnesota	Tim Pawlenty	44.4% R	Tilt D (flip)	Tossup	Tossup	Tossup	Pawlenty (46.7%)
Nebraska	Dave Heineman	68.7% R	Safe R	Safe R	Safe R	Safe R	Heineman (73.4%)
Nevada	Kenny Guinn (Term-limited)	68.2% R	Leans R	Tossup	Tossup	Leans R	Gibbons (47.9%)
New Hampshire	John Lynch	50.4% D	Safe D	Safe D	Safe D	Safe D	Lynch (74.0%)
New Mexico	Bill Richardson	55.5% D	Safe D	Safe D	Safe D	Safe D	Richardson (68.8%)
New York	George Pataki (Retired)	49.4% R	Safe D (flip)	Likely D (flip)	Safe D (flip)	Safe D (flip)	Spitzer (65.7%)
Ohio	Bob Taft (Term-limited)	57.8% R	Likely D (flip)	Likely D (flip)	Safe D (flip)	Likely D (flip)	Strickland (60.5%)
Oklahoma	Brad Henry	43.3% D	Safe D	Safe D	Safe D	Safe D	Henry (66.5%)
Oregon	Ted Kulongoski	49.0% D	Tilt D	Leans D	Tossup	Leans D	Kulongoski (50.7%)
Pennsylvania	Ed Rendell	53.4% D	Safe D	Safe D	Safe D	Likely D	Rendell (60.3%)
Rhode Island	Donald Carcieri	54.8% R	Leans R	Leans R	Tossup	Likely R	Carcieri (51.0%)
South Carolina	Mark Sanford	52.9% R	Likely R	Safe R	Likely R	Safe R	Sanford (55.1%)
South Dakota	Mike Rounds	56.8% R	Safe R	Safe R	Safe R	Safe R	Rounds (61.7%)
Tennessee	Phil Bredesen	50.6% D	Safe D	Safe D	Safe D	Likely D	Bredesen (68.6%)
Texas	Rick Perry	57.8% R	Safe R	Likely R	Likely R	Likely R	Perry (39.0%)
Vermont	Jim Douglas	58.7% R	Safe R	Safe R	Likely R	Safe R	Douglas (56.3%)
Wisconsin	Jim Doyle	45.1% D	Leans D	Tossup	Tossup	Leans D	Doyle (52.8%)
Wyoming	Dave Freudenthal	50.0% D	Safe D	Safe D	Safe D	Safe D	Freudenthal (70.0%)

Race summary

States

State	Incumbent	Party	First elected	Result	Candidates
Alabama	Bob Riley	Republican	2002	Incumbent re-elected.	▌Y Bob Riley (Republican) 57.5% ▌Lucy Baxley (Democratic) 41.6%
Alaska	Frank Murkowski	Republican	2002	Incumbent lost renomination. New governor elected. Republican hold.	▌Y Sarah Palin (Republican) 48.3% ▌Tony Knowles (Democratic) 41.0% ▌Andrew Halcro (Independent) 9.5%
Arizona	Janet Napolitano	Democratic	2002	Incumbent re-elected.	▌Y Janet Napolitano (Democratic) 62.6% ▌Len Munsil (Republican) 35.4% ▌Barry Hess (Libertarian) 2.0%
Arkansas	Mike Huckabee	Republican	1996	Incumbent term-limited. New governor elected. Democratic gain.	▌Y Mike Beebe (Democratic) 55.6% ▌Asa Hutchinson (Republican) 40.7% ▌Rod Bryan (Independent) 2.0% ▌Jim Lendall (Green) 1.7%
California	Arnold Schwarzenegger	Republican	2003 (recall)	Incumbent re-elected.	▌Y Arnold Schwarzenegger (Republican) 55.9% ▌Phil Angelides (Democratic) 38.9% ▌Peter Camejo (Green) 2.4% ▌Art Olivier (Libertarian) 1.3%
Colorado	Bill Owens	Republican	1998	Incumbent term-limited. New governor elected. Democratic gain.	▌Y Bill Ritter (Democratic) 57.0% ▌Bob Beauprez (Republican) 40.2% ▌Dawn Winkler (Libertarian) 1.5%
Connecticut	Jodi Rell	Republican	2004	Incumbent elected to full term.	▌Y Jodi Rell (Republican) 63.2% ▌John DeStefano Jr. (Democratic) 35.5%
Florida	Jeb Bush	Republican	1998	Incumbent term-limited. New governor elected. Republican hold.	▌Y Charlie Crist (Republican) 52.2% ▌Jim Davis (Democratic) 45.1% ▌Max Linn (Reform) 1.9%
Georgia	Sonny Perdue	Republican	2002	Incumbent re-elected.	▌Y Sonny Perdue (Republican) 58.0% ▌Mark Taylor (Democratic) 38.2% ▌Gary Hayes (Libertarian) 3.8%
Hawaii	Linda Lingle	Republican	2002	Incumbent re-elected.	▌Y Linda Lingle (Republican) 62.5% ▌Randy Iwase (Democratic) 35.4% ▌James Brewer Jr. (Green) 1.6%
Idaho	Jim Risch	Republican	2006	Incumbent retired. New governor elected. Republican hold.	▌Y Butch Otter (Republican) 52.7% ▌Jerry Brady (Democratic) 44.1% ▌Marvin Richardson (Constitution) 1.6% ▌Ted Dunlap (Libertarian) 1.6%
Illinois	Rod Blagojevich	Democratic	2002	Incumbent re-elected.	▌Y Rod Blagojevich (Democratic) 49.8% ▌Judy Baar Topinka (Republican) 39.3% ▌Rich Whitney (Green) 10.4%
Iowa	Tom Vilsack	Democratic	1998	Incumbent retired. New governor elected. Democratic hold.	▌Y Chet Culver (Democratic) 54.0% ▌Jim Nussle (Republican) 44.4%
Kansas	Kathleen Sebelius	Democratic	2002	Incumbent re-elected.	▌Y Kathleen Sebelius (Democratic) 57.9% ▌Jim Barnett (Republican) 40.4% ▌Carl Kramer (Libertarian) 1.0%
Maine	John Baldacci	Democratic	2002	Incumbent re-elected.	▌Y John Baldacci (Democratic) 38.1% ▌Chandler Woodcock (Republican) 30.2% ▌Barbara Merrill (Independent) 21.6% ▌Pat LaMarche (Green) 9.6%
Maryland	Bob Ehrlich	Republican	2002	Incumbent lost re-election. New governor elected. Democratic gain.	▌Y Martin O'Malley (Democratic) 52.7% ▌Bob Ehrlich (Republican) 46.2%
Massachusetts	Mitt Romney	Republican	2002	Incumbent retired. New governor elected. Democratic gain.	▌Y Deval Patrick (Democratic) 55.6% ▌Kerry Healey (Republican) 35.3% ▌Christy Mihos (Independent) 7.0% ▌Grace Ross (Green) 2.0%
Michigan	Jennifer Granholm	Democratic	2002	Incumbent re-elected.	▌Y Jennifer Granholm (Democratic) 56.4% ▌Dick DeVos (Republican) 42.3%
Minnesota	Tim Pawlenty	Republican	2002	Incumbent re-elected.	▌Y Tim Pawlenty (Republican) 46.7% ▌Mike Hatch (DFL) 45.7% ▌Peter Hutchinson (Independence) 6.4%
Nebraska	Dave Heineman	Republican	2005	Incumbent elected to full term.	▌Y Dave Heineman (Republican) 73.4% ▌David Hahn (Democratic) 24.5%
Nevada	Kenny Guinn	Republican	1998	Incumbent term-limited. New governor elected. Republican hold.	▌Y Jim Gibbons (Republican) 47.9% ▌Dina Titus (Democratic) 43.9% ▌None of These Candidates 3.6% ▌Christopher Hansen (Independent American) 3.4% ▌Craig Bergland (Green) 1.2%
New Hampshire	John Lynch	Democratic	2004	Incumbent re-elected.	▌Y John Lynch (Democratic) 74.0% ▌Jim Coburn (Republican) 25.8%
New Mexico	Bill Richardson	Democratic	2002	Incumbent re-elected.	▌Y Bill Richardson (Democratic) 68.8% ▌John Dendahl (Republican) 31.2%
New York	George Pataki	Republican	1994	Incumbent retired. New governor elected. Democratic gain.	▌Y Eliot Spitzer (Democratic) 65.7% ▌John Faso (Republican) 27.1%
Ohio	Bob Taft	Republican	1998	Incumbent term-limited. New governor elected. Democratic gain.	▌Y Ted Strickland (Democratic) 60.5% ▌Ken Blackwell (Republican) 36.7% ▌Bill Peirce (Libertarian) 1.8% ▌Bob Fitrakis (Green) 1.0%
Oklahoma	Brad Henry	Democratic	2002	Incumbent re-elected.	▌Y Brad Henry (Democratic) 66.5% ▌Ernest Istook (Republican) 33.5%
Oregon	Ted Kulongoski	Democratic	2002	Incumbent re-elected.	▌Y Ted Kulongoski (Democratic) 50.7% ▌Ron Saxton (Republican) 42.7% ▌Mary Starrett (Constitution) 3.6% ▌Joe Keating (Pacific Green) 1.5% ▌Richard Morley (Libertarian) 1.2%
Pennsylvania	Ed Rendell	Democratic	2002	Incumbent re-elected.	▌Y Ed Rendell (Democratic) 60.3% ▌Lynn Swann (Republican) 39.6%
Rhode Island	Donald Carcieri	Republican	2002	Incumbent re-elected.	▌Y Donald Carcieri (Republican) 51.0% ▌Charles Fogarty (Democratic) 49.0%
South Carolina	Mark Sanford	Republican	2002	Incumbent re-elected.	▌Y Mark Sanford (Republican) 55.1% ▌Tommy Moore (Democratic) 44.8%
South Dakota	Mike Rounds	Republican	2002	Incumbent re-elected.	▌Y Mike Rounds (Republican) 61.7% ▌Jack Billion (Democratic) 36.1% ▌Steven J. Willis (Constitution) 1.2%
Tennessee	Phil Bredesen	Democratic	2002	Incumbent re-elected.	▌Y Phil Bredesen (Democratic) 68.6% ▌Jim Bryson (Republican) 29.7%
Texas	Rick Perry	Republican	2000	Incumbent re-elected.	▌Y Rick Perry (Republican) 39.0% ▌Chris Bell (Democratic) 29.8% ▌Carole K. Strayhorn (Independent) 18.1% ▌Richard Friedman (Independent) 12.4%
Vermont	Jim Douglas	Republican	2002	Incumbent re-elected.	▌Y Jim Douglas (Republican) 56.3% ▌Scudder Parker (Democratic) 41.1%
Wisconsin	Jim Doyle	Democratic	2002	Incumbent re-elected.	▌Y Jim Doyle (Democratic) 52.8% ▌Mark Green (Republican) 45.4% ▌Nelson Eisman (Green) 1.9%
Wyoming	Dave Freudenthal	Democratic	2002	Incumbent re-elected.	▌Y Dave Freudenthal (Democratic) 70.0% ▌Ray Hunkins (Republican) 30.0%

Territories and federal district

Territory	Incumbent	Party	First elected	Result	Candidates
District of Columbia	Anthony A. Williams	Democratic	1998	Incumbent retired. New mayor elected. Democratic hold.	▌Y Adrian Fenty (Democratic) 89.7% ▌David Kranich (Republican) 6.1% ▌Chris Otten (Statehood Green) 4.1%
Guam	Felix Perez Camacho	Republican	2002	Incumbent re-elected.	▌Y Felix Perez Camacho (Republican) 50.2% ▌Robert Underwood (Democratic) 48.0%
U.S. Virgin Islands	Charles Wesley Turnbull	Democratic	1998	Incumbent term-limited. New governor elected. Democratic hold.	▌Y John de Jongh (Democratic) 57.3% ▌Kenneth Mapp (Independent) 42.7%

Closest races

States where the margin of victory was under 5%:

1. Minnesota, 1.0%
2. Rhode Island, 2.0%
3. Guam, 2.3%
4. Nevada, 4.0%

States where the margin of victory was under 10%:

1. Maryland, 6.5%
2. Florida, 7.1%
3. Alaska, 7.4%
4. Wisconsin, 7.5%
5. Maine, 7.7%
6. Oregon, 8.1%
7. Idaho, 8.6%
8. Texas, 9.2%
9. Iowa, 9.4%

Red denotes states won by Republicans. Blue denotes states won by Democrats.

Alabama

Main article: 2006 Alabama gubernatorial election

Alabama gubernatorial election

November 7, 2006

Nominee Bob Riley Lucy Baxley Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 718,327 519,827 Percentage 57.5% 41.6%

County results Riley:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Baxley:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

Governor before election Bob Riley Republican Elected Governor Bob Riley Republican

Incumbent Republican Bob Riley defeated Democratic Lieutenant Governor Lucy Baxley. Riley garnered 21% of African Americans' votes.

Alabama election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Bob Riley (incumbent)	718,327	57.45
	Democratic	Lucy Baxley	519,827	41.57
	Write-in		12,247	0.98
Total votes			1,250,401	100.00
	Republican hold

Alaska

Main article: 2006 Alaska gubernatorial election

Alaska gubernatorial election

November 7, 2006

Nominee Sarah Palin Tony Knowles Andrew Halcro Party Republican Democratic Independent Running mate Sean Parnell Ethan Berkowitz Fay Von Gemmingen Popular vote 114,697 97,238 22,443 Percentage 48.3% 41.0% 9.5%

Borough and census area results Palin:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70% Knowles:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%

Governor before election Frank Murkowski Republican Elected Governor Sarah Palin Republican

Governor Frank Murkowski, suffering poor approval ratings, was not favored to win renomination. An August 8 poll by Rasmussen Reports showed that going into the primary election his approval rating was at 27%, while his disapproval rating stood at 72%. Former Wasilla Mayor Sarah Palin and former state Railroad Commissioner John Binkley challenged Murkowski in the Republican primary. Former governor Tony Knowles was widely considered the favorite to win the Democratic nomination. In the primary held on August 22, Palin won the Republican nomination for governor with 51.1% of the vote, Binkley received 29.6%, and Murkowski received just 18.9% of the vote. Knowles won the Democratic nomination with 68.6% of the vote; state representative Eric Croft, who received 23.1% of the vote, was his nearest competitor.

Palin campaigned on a clean government platform in a state with a history of corruption. An October 15 CRG Research poll had the candidates tied at 43%. An October 28 Rasmussen Reports poll showed Palin leading Knowles by a single percentage point.

Republican nominee Sarah Palin was elected with 48.3% of the vote, a plurality.

Alaska election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Sarah Palin	114,697	48.33
	Democratic	Tony Knowles	97,238	40.97
	Independent	Andrew Halcro	22,443	9.46
	Independence	Don Wright	1,285	0.54
	Libertarian	Billy Toien	682	0.29
	Green	David Massie	593	0.25
	Write-in		384	0.16
Total votes			238,307	100.00
	Republican hold

Arizona

Main article: 2006 Arizona gubernatorial election

Arizona gubernatorial election

November 7, 2006
Turnout	60.47% 4.14pp
Nominee Janet Napolitano Len Munsil Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 959,830 543,528 Percentage 62.6% 35.4%
County results Napolitano:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Governor before election Janet Napolitano Democratic Elected Governor Janet Napolitano Democratic

Incumbent Democratic governor Janet Napolitano was re-elected in a landslide. Napolitano's widespread popularity contributed to her easy re-election; her general approval rating in October 2006, one month before the election, was at 58%.

Arizona election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Janet Napolitano (incumbent)	959,830	62.58
	Republican	Len Munsil	543,528	35.44
	Libertarian	Barry Hess	30,268	1.97
	Write-in		19	0.00
Total votes			1,533,645	100.00
	Democratic hold

Arkansas

Main article: 2006 Arkansas gubernatorial election

Arkansas gubernatorial election

November 7, 2006

Nominee Mike Beebe Asa Hutchinson Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 430,765 315,040 Percentage 55.6% 40.7%

County results Beebe:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Hutchinson:      40–50%      50–60%

Governor before election Mike Huckabee Republican Elected Governor Mike Beebe Democratic

Governor Mike Huckabee was term-limited. The Republican Party nominated Asa Hutchinson, a former congressman, U.S. Attorney, DEA head, and Undersecretary of Homeland Security. The Democratic nominee was Arkansas Attorney General Mike Beebe. Beebe's campaign centered on what his campaign called his "Believe in Arkansas Plan", which outlined his plans for improving access to affordable healthcare, improving education, and stimulating economic development and job growth. Beebe led in most statewide polls, although his margin of victory in those polls varied wildly. Just days before the election, a Rasmussen Reports poll showed Beebe winning by just 8%, while a SurveyUSA poll showed him winning by 20%.

Democratic nominee Mike Beebe was elected with about 55.6% of the vote.

Arkansas election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Mike Beebe	430,765	55.61
	Republican	Asa Hutchinson	315,040	40.67
	Independent	Rod Bryan	15,767	2.04
	Green	Jim Lendall	12,774	1.65
	Write-in		334	0.04
Total votes			774,680	100.00
	Democratic gain from Republican

California

Main article: 2006 California gubernatorial election

See also: 2006 California lieutenant gubernatorial election

California gubernatorial election

November 7, 2006
Turnout	32.77% 28.43pp
Nominee Arnold Schwarzenegger Phil Angelides Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 4,850,157 3,376,732 Percentage 55.9% 38.9%
County results Schwarzenegger:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Angelides:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%
Governor before election Arnold Schwarzenegger Republican Elected Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger Republican

Arnold Schwarzenegger won the 2003 recall election and replaced Gray Davis. Despite his failed special election and budget cuts, Arnold Schwarzenegger seemed to be ahead in the polls against Phil Angelides. Schwarzenegger's aggressive push for environment-friendly legislation, his support for stem cell research, gay rights and opposition to sending the National Guard to the border has made him very popular among the voters. Republican incumbent Arnold Schwarzenegger was re-elected.

California election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Arnold Schwarzenegger (incumbent)	4,850,157	55.88
	Democratic	Phil Angelides	3,376,732	38.91
	Green	Peter Camejo	205,995	2.37
	Libertarian	Art Olivier	114,329	1.32
	Peace and Freedom	Janice Jordan	69,934	0.81
	American Independent	Edward C. Noonan	61,901	0.71
	Write-in		375	0.00
Total votes			8,679,423	100.00
	Republican hold

Colorado

Main article: 2006 Colorado gubernatorial election

Colorado gubernatorial election

November 7, 2006

Nominee Bill Ritter Bob Beauprez Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 887,986 625,886 Percentage 57.0% 40.2%

County results Ritter:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Beauprez:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

Governor before election Bill Owens Republican Elected Governor Bill Ritter Democratic

The retirement of term-limited Governor Bill Owens revealed divisions among the state's Republicans. Republican congressman Bob Beauprez, widely regarded as a conservative, was attacked by his primary opponent, former University of Denver President Marc Holtzman for compromising with Democrats in Congress. Beauprez became the nominee when Holtzman failed to submit enough valid signatures to qualify for the ballot, but the negative attacks they exchanged damaged Beauprez's campaign. The Democratic nominee was former Denver District Attorney Bill Ritter, an anti-abortion Catholic and a political centrist who could not easily be portrayed as a liberal. Ritter did, however, support Referendum I and oppose Amendment 43; conversely, the public defeated the former and passed the latter. Ritter's campaign was boosted when he was endorsed by a group of Larimer County Republicans. During the period of January through August, Ritter raised almost twice as much as Beauprez. According to an October 16 Zogby poll, Ritter led Beauprez 47% to 45%. An October 22 SurveyUSA poll showed Ritter leading Beauprez by a larger margin, 56% to 38%. Similarly, an October 22 Rasmussen Reports poll showed Ritter leading Beauprez, 51% to 39%.

Democratic nominee Bill Ritter was elected with 57.0% of the vote.

Colorado election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Bill Ritter	888,095	56.99
	Republican	Bob Beauprez	625,886	40.16
	Libertarian	Dawn Winkler	23,323	1.50
	Independent	Paul Fiorino	10,996	0.71
	Constitution	Clyde Harkins	9,716	0.62
	Write-in		389	0.02
Total votes			1,558,405	100.00
	Democratic gain from Republican

Connecticut

Main article: 2006 Connecticut gubernatorial election

Connecticut gubernatorial election

November 7, 2006

Nominee Jodi Rell John DeStefano Jr. Party Republican Democratic Running mate Michael Fedele Mary Glassman Popular vote 710,048 398,220 Percentage 63.2% 35.5%

Rell:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90% DeStefano:      50–60%      60–70%

Governor before election Jodi Rell Republican Elected Governor Jodi Rell Republican

Incumbent Republican Jodi Rell became governor when John G. Rowland resigned on corruption charges in 2004. Rell had an approval rating of 70% as of October 19, 2006, and polls showed her leading the Democratic nominee, New Haven mayor John DeStefano by a near 30-point margin. As expected, she won the election to a full term in a landslide. DeStefano defeated Stamford Mayor Dannel Malloy in the Connecticut Democratic gubernatorial primary on August 8.

Connecticut election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Jodi Rell (incumbent)	710,048	63.22
	Democratic	John DeStefano Jr.	398,220	35.45
	Green	Cliff Thornton	9,584	0.85
	Concerned Citizens	Joseph A. Zdonczyk	5,560	0.49
	Write-in		54	0.00
Total votes			1,123,212	100.00
	Republican hold

Florida

Main article: 2006 Florida gubernatorial election

Florida gubernatorial election

November 7, 2006
Turnout	46.8%8.5
Nominee Charlie Crist Jim Davis Party Republican Democratic Running mate Jeff Kottkamp Daryl Jones Popular vote 2,519,845 2,178,289 Percentage 52.2% 45.1%
County results Crist:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Davis:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%
Governor before election Jeb Bush Republican Elected Governor Charlie Crist Republican

Governor Jeb Bush was term-limited. Florida Attorney General Charlie Crist, a moderate, won the Republican primary with 64%, defeating the Chief Financial Officer of Florida, Tom Gallagher, who received only 34%. Congressman Jim Davis of Tampa won the Democratic primary with 47% of the vote, defeating State Senator Rod Smith of Alachua, who received 41% of the vote. In addition to Crist and Davis, Reform Party nominee Max Linn also appeared on the ballot in the general election.

Crist came out of the September 12 primary with momentum, but as the election drew closer, polls began to show a more competitive race. An October 23 Quinnipiac poll October 23 showed Crist's lead down to 2%. However, an October 26 Rasmussen Reports poll had Crist leading Davis 52% to 41%.

Republican nominee Charlie Crist was elected with 52.2% of the vote.

Florida election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Charlie Crist	2,519,845	52.20
	Democratic	Jim Davis	2,178,289	45.10
	Reform	Max Linn	92,595	1.90
	Independent	John Wayne Smith	15,987	0.30
	Independent	Richard Paul Dembinsky	11,921	0.20
	Independent	Karl C.C. Behm	10,487	0.20
	Write-in		147	0.00
Total votes			4,829,271	100.00
	Republican hold

Georgia

Main article: 2006 Georgia gubernatorial election

Georgia gubernatorial election

November 7, 2006

Nominee Sonny Perdue Mark Taylor Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 1,229,724 811,049 Percentage 58.0% 38.2%

County results Perdue:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90% Taylor:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

Governor before election Sonny Perdue Republican Elected Governor Sonny Perdue Republican

Incumbent Republican governor Sonny Perdue ran for re-election to a second and final term as governor. Governor Perdue was renominated by the Republican Party, defeating a minor opponent in the process, while Lieutenant Governor Mark Taylor narrowly emerged victorious from a competitive Democratic primary. In the general election, though Taylor ran a spirited campaign, Perdue was aided by the increasing tendency of the state to vote for Republicans and by his popularity with the public; polling showed his approval ratings above sixty percent. In the end, Perdue was overwhelmingly re-elected as governor, defeating Taylor in a landslide, becoming the first Republican governor of Georgia to ever be reelected.

Exit polls showed that Perdue won white voters (68% to 27%) while Taylor won black voters (81% to 17%). Perdue's 17% of the African-American vote was the highest showing of any Republican seeking statewide office in Georgia.

Georgia election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Sonny Perdue (incumbent)	1,229,724	57.95
	Democratic	Mark Taylor	811,049	38.22
	Libertarian	Gary Hayes	81,412	3.84
Total votes			2,122,185	100.00
	Republican hold

Hawaii

Main article: 2006 Hawaii gubernatorial election

2006 Hawaii gubernatorial election

November 7, 2006

Nominee Linda Lingle Randy Iwase Party Republican Democratic Running mate Duke Aiona Malama Solomon Popular vote 215,313 121,717 Percentage 62.5% 35.4%

County results Lingle:      50–60%      60–70%

Governor before election Linda Lingle Republican Elected Governor Linda Lingle Republican

Although 2006 was a strong election year for Democrats, Incumbent Republican governor Lingle won re-election by a landslide owing to an economic rebound in the state that occurred during her tenure after a shaky decade for the state economy during the 1990s and early 2000s.

Hawaii election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Linda Lingle (incumbent)	215,313	62.53
	Democratic	Randy Iwase	121,717	35.35
	Green	James Brewer Jr.	5,435	1.58
	Libertarian	Ozell Daniel	1,850	0.54
Total votes			344,315	100.00
	Republican hold

Idaho

Main article: 2006 Idaho gubernatorial election

Idaho gubernatorial election

November 7, 2006

Nominee Butch Otter Jerry Brady Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 237,437 198,845 Percentage 52.7% 44.1%

County results Otter:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Brady:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

Governor before election Jim Risch Republican Elected Governor Butch Otter Republican

Governor Jim Risch was elected lieutenant governor in 2002; in May 2006, he succeeded to the governorship when his predecessor, Dirk Kempthorne, resigned to become United States Secretary of the Interior. Before Kempthorne's appointment, Risch, a former Ada County District Attorney and state Senator, had committed to a reelection campaign for lieutenant governor, which meant the campaign for the governorship remained open.

Republican congressman C.L. "Butch" Otter, a former lieutenant governor himself, was heavily favored to succeed Risch. On May 23 he easily won a four-way Republican primary, receiving 70% of the vote. In the general election, he faced newspaper publisher Jerry Brady, who was the Democratic nominee for the second consecutive gubernatorial election. Although Brady won the state's most populous county (Ada County, the location of Boise) in 2002, he was decisively defeated by Kempthorne statewide. He was expected to fare similarly against Otter; however, the race became fairly competitive, possibly due to a national trend towards the Democratic party.

Republican nominee Butch Otter was elected with 52.7% of the vote. Brady received 44.1%, making this gubernatorial election the closest in Idaho since 1994.

Idaho election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Butch Otter	237,437	52.67
	Democratic	Jerry Brady	198,845	44.11
	Constitution	Marvin Richardson	7,309	1.62
	Libertarian	Ted Dunlap	7,241	1.61
Total votes			450,832	100.00
	Republican hold

Illinois

Main article: 2006 Illinois gubernatorial election

Illinois gubernatorial election

November 7, 2006
Turnout	47.29% 2.76 pp
Nominee Rod Blagojevich Judy Baar Topinka Rich Whitney Party Democratic Republican Green Running mate Pat Quinn Joe Birkett Julie Samuels Popular vote 1,736,731 1,369,315 361,336 Percentage 49.8% 39.3% 10.4%
County results Blagojevich:      30–40%      40–50%      50–60%      60–70% Topinka:      30–40%      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Governor before election Rod Blagojevich Democratic Elected Governor Rod Blagojevich Democratic

Incumbent Rod Blagojevich had proven to be an incredible fundraiser, and governed a relatively strong blue state. But recent opinion polling showed that his approval rating at a rather dismal 44%. Blagojevich initially had the advantage in the general election, leading his Republican challenger, state Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka by eight percentage points in polls, although not reaching the fifty percent "safe zone" for incumbents. In March, Topinka won the GOP primary by 38% to 32% over dairy magnate Jim Oberweis. Meanwhile, a former Chicago Alderman named Edwin Eisendrath won a surprising 30% in the Democratic primary. During the election United States Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald was looking into the hiring practices of Governor Blagojevich.

An October 15 Rasmussen Reports poll showed Blagojevich dropping 4 points, to end with 44% and Topinka staying at 36%. An October 22 SurveyUSA poll had Blagojevich leading Topinka 44% to 34% with 8% undecided. However, an October 31 Mason-Dixon poll showed Blagojevich leading Topinka only 44% to 40% with 9% undecided.

Democratic incumbent Rod Blagojevich was re-elected. Green Party candidate Rich Whitney showed one of the best showings of a third-party candidate in the 2006 election. Whitney received 361,336 votes, or 10% of the ballot share. This made the Green party an official major party in the state of Illinois.

Illinois election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Rod Blagojevich (incumbent)	1,736,731	49.79
	Republican	Judy Baar Topinka	1,369,315	39.26
	Green	Rich Whitney	361,336	10.36
	Write-in		20,607	0.59
Total votes			3,487,989	100.00
	Democratic hold

Iowa

Main article: 2006 Iowa gubernatorial election

Iowa gubernatorial election

November 7, 2006

Nominee Chet Culver Jim Nussle Party Democratic Republican Running mate Patty Judge Bob Vander Plaats Popular vote 569,021 467,425 Percentage 54.0% 44.4%

County results Culver:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70% Nussle:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%

Governor before election Tom Vilsack Democratic Elected Governor Chet Culver Democratic

Congressman Jim Nussle was the Republican nominee, while the Democratic Party nominated Iowa Secretary of State Chet Culver, a progressive whose father was a U.S. Senator. An October 11 poll by Rasmussen Reports showed the candidates tied at 42% each. An October 19 Rasmussen Reports poll had Culver leading Nussle 47% to 44%.

The Democratic nominee, Chet Culver, was elected with 54.0% of the vote.

Iowa election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Chet Culver	569,021	54.02
	Republican	Jim Nussle	467,425	44.38
	Green	Wendy Barth	7,850	0.75
	Libertarian	Kevin Litten	5,735	0.54
	Socialist Workers	Mary Martin	1,974	0.19
	Write-in		1,250	0.12
Total votes			1,053,255	100.00
	Democratic hold

Kansas

Main article: 2006 Kansas gubernatorial election

Kansas gubernatorial election

November 7, 2006

Nominee Kathleen Sebelius Jim Barnett Party Democratic Republican Running mate Mark Parkinson Susan Wagle Popular vote 491,993 343,586 Percentage 57.9% 40.4%

County results Sebelius:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Barnett:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

Governor before election Kathleen Sebelius Democratic Elected Governor Kathleen Sebelius Democratic

Incumbent Democratic governor Kathleen Sebelius, who sported high approval ratings ran for re-election to serve a second and final term. Governor Sebelius was unopposed for the Democratic nomination and she faced the Republican nominee, State Senator Jim Barnett, who emerged from a crowded primary. Sebelius soundly defeated Barnett and cruised to re-election, which was quite a considerable feat for a Democrat in staunchly conservative Kansas.

Kansas election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Kathleen Sebelius (incumbent)	491,993	57.90
	Republican	Jim Barnett	343,586	40.44
	Libertarian	Carl Kramer	8,896	1.05
	Reform	Richard Lee Ranzau	5,221	0.61
	Write-in		4	0.00
Total votes			849,700	100.00
	Democratic hold

Maine

Main article: 2006 Maine gubernatorial election

Maine gubernatorial election

November 7, 2006

Nominee John Baldacci Chandler Woodcock Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 209,927 166,425 Percentage 38.11% 30.21%   Nominee Barbara Merrill Pat LaMarche Party Independent Green Popular vote 118,715 52,690 Percentage 21.55% 9.56%

County results Baldacci:      30–40%      40–50% Woodcock:      30–40%      40–50%

Governor before election John Baldacci Democratic Elected Governor John Baldacci Democratic

In February 2006, Baldacci was given a mere 41% approval rating by the voters of Maine in one poll. But when the GOP unexpectedly nominated conservative state senator Chandler Woodcock over the more moderate state senator Peter Mills and former congressman Dave Emery, Baldacci was handed a huge boost.

Polls consistently showed Baldacci with a small lead. An October 17 Rasmussen Reports poll had Baldacci with 44% and Woodcock at 34%. Meanwhile, a Voice of the Voter poll announced by WCSH on November 6, one day before the election, gave John Baldacci his smallest lead yet with only 36%, with Senator Chandler Woodcock 30% and the now leading independent Barbara Merrill 22%, more than doubling her share. Green Independent candidate Pat LaMarche polled at 11%.

Baldacci was reelected with 38% of the vote compared to Woodcock's 30%, with 21.55% going to independent Barbara Merrill.

Maine election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	John Baldacci (incumbent)	209,927	38.11
	Republican	Chandler Woodcock	166,425	30.21
	Independent	Barbara Merrill	118,715	21.55
	Green	Pat LaMarche	52,690	9.56
	Independent	Phillip Morris Napier	3,108	0.56
Total votes			550,865	100.00
	Democratic hold

Maryland

Main article: 2006 Maryland gubernatorial election

Maryland gubernatorial election

November 7, 2006
Turnout	57.53% 4.32%
Nominee Martin O'Malley Bob Ehrlich Party Democratic Republican Running mate Anthony Brown Kristen Cox Popular vote 942,279 825,464 Percentage 52.7% 46.2%
County results O'Malley:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Ehrlich:      50–60%      60–70%
Governor before election Bob Ehrlich Republican Elected Governor Martin O'Malley Democratic

Bob Ehrlich's approval rating was 48%, which suggested a close election. Martin O'Malley, Mayor of Baltimore City, who was expected to run for governor almost as soon as the 2002 election was over, was initially expected to be a shoo-in for the Democratic nomination, but he was challenged by Montgomery County Executive Doug Duncan, who then unexpectedly dropped out of the race, citing a recent diagnosis of clinical depression, saving Democrats from a costly and potentially divisive primary.

A November 2 SurveyUSA poll had O'Malley leading Ehrlich 48% to 47% with 2% undecided. A November 3 Mason-Dixon poll has O'Malley and Ehrlich tied at 45% with 9% undecided. Democratic nominee Martin O'Malley was elected.

When Ehrlich unexpectedly beat his Democratic challenger, Lt. Governor Kathleen Kennedy in 2002, and became first Republican Governor of Maryland since Spiro T. Agnew, he was regarded by many as potential presidential candidate for 2008.

O'Malley defeated Ehrlich in the general election, 52.7% to 46.2%.

Maryland election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Martin O'Malley	942,279	52.69
	Republican	Bob Ehrlich (incumbent)	825,464	46.16
	Green	Ed Boyd	15,551	0.87
	Populist	Christopher Driscoll	3,481	0.19
	Write-in		1,541	0.09
Total votes			1,788,316	100.00
	Democratic gain from Republican

Massachusetts

Main article: 2006 Massachusetts gubernatorial election

Massachusetts gubernatorial election

November 7, 2006
Turnout	56.23% 0.94
Nominee Deval Patrick Kerry Healey Christy Mihos Party Democratic Republican Independent Running mate Tim Murray Reed V. Hillman John J. Sullivan Popular vote 1,234,984 784,342 154,628 Percentage 55.0% 35.0% 6.9%
Patrick:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% Healey:      40–50%      50–60% Tie:      40–50%
Governor before election Mitt Romney Republican Elected Governor Deval Patrick Democratic

With his approval ratings down, Governor Mitt Romney opted not to seek a second term. Romney endorsed his lieutenant governor, Kerry Healey, in her bid to succeed him. Healey was unopposed in the Republican primary. Deval Patrick, a former U.S. Assistant Attorney General who headed the Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division, won the Democratic primary with 50% of the vote against Thomas Reilly and Chris Gabrieli. Third-party candidates included Grace Ross of the Green-Rainbow Party and independent Christy Mihos, a former Republican and board member on the state Turnpike Authority. Over the course of the campaign, Patrick was the victim of several smears by the Healey campaign, including reports of his brother-in-law's criminal history that were leaked to the press.

On November 7, Deval Patrick was elected with 56% of the vote. He became the first African American governor ever elected in the history of the state, and just the second in the nation's history (the first was Douglas Wilder, a Democrat from Virginia, who served as Governor of Virginia from 1990 to 1994). Patrick was also the first Democratic governor of Massachusetts since Michael Dukakis left office in 1991.

Massachusetts election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Deval Patrick	1,234,984	55.64
	Republican	Kerry Healey	784,342	35.33
	Independent	Christy Mihos	154,628	6.97
	Green-Rainbow	Grace Ross	43,193	1.95
	Write-in		2,632	0.12
Total votes			2,219,779	100.00
	Democratic gain from Republican

Michigan

Main article: 2006 Michigan gubernatorial election

Michigan gubernatorial election

November 7, 2006
Turnout	50.7% 7.2
Nominee Jennifer Granholm Dick DeVos Party Democratic Republican Running mate John Cherry Ruth Johnson Popular vote 2,142,513 1,608,086 Percentage 56.4% 42.3%
Granholm:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% DeVos:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90% Tie:      40–50%      No data
Governor before election Jennifer Granholm Democratic Elected Governor Jennifer Granholm Democratic

Michigan, like many other Midwestern states, had been unable to take advantage of reported national economic and job growth. A string of plant and factory closings by big name companies such as General Motors in Granholm's state led to growing disapproval of her among voters. Opposing her was wealthy Republican businessman Dick DeVos. Throughout the race polls showed the election to be close, but in the last days Granholm pulled ahead. According to a November 1 EPIC-MRA poll, Granholm led DeVos 52% to 43% with 5% undecided. A November 4 SurveyUSA poll had Granholm leading DeVos 51% to 45%. Ultimately, Democratic incumbent Jennifer Granholm was re-elected with 56.4 percent of the vote.

Michigan election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Jennifer Granholm (incumbent)	2,142,513	56.36
	Republican	Dick DeVos	1,608,086	42.30
	Libertarian	Greg Creswell	23,524	0.62
	Green	Douglas Campbell	20,009	0.53
	Constitution	Bhagwan Dashairya	7,087	0.19
	Write-in		37	0.00
Total votes			3,801,256	100.00
	Democratic hold

Minnesota

Main article: 2006 Minnesota gubernatorial election

Minnesota gubernatorial election

November 7, 2006

Nominee Tim Pawlenty Mike Hatch Peter Hutchinson Party Republican Democratic (DFL) Independence Running mate Carol Molnau Judi Dutcher Maureen Reed Popular vote 1,028,568 1,007,460 141,735 Percentage 46.7% 45.7% 6.4%

Pawlenty:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% Hatch:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% Tie:      40–50%      50%      No votes

Governor before election Tim Pawlenty Republican Elected Governor Tim Pawlenty Republican

Pawlenty's approval rating was measured at 56% on September 21, 2006. In 2002, Pawlenty won the governor's mansion with only 44% of the vote, facing a strong challenge from DFL Party candidate Roger Moe and Independence Party candidate Tim Penny, a former DFLer himself. Pawlenty has been criticized by some Minnesotans for budget cuts to programs such as MinnesotaCare to balance the budget (and controversial moves such as deferring required payments to the state's education and health care funds to later budget biennia to make the budget appear balanced when it was actually not). Pawlenty faces another strong DFL challenge this year in state Attorney General Mike Hatch, who fended off a liberal primary challenge from State Senator Becky Lourey. Pawlenty and Hatch were virtually neck and neck, with between 40-45% support for both candidates as recently as September, until the Mark Foley scandal hit the papers late that month, and 5-6% for Independence Party candidate Peter Hutchinson.

An October 23 SurveyUSA poll has Hatch leading Pawlenty 45% to 44% and Hutchinson with 7% . A November 1 Saint Cloud Times poll has Hatch at 46% and Pawlenty at 36%. Republican incumbent Tim Pawlenty was re-elected.

Minnesota election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Tim Pawlenty (incumbent)	1,028,568	46.69
	Democratic (DFL)	Mike Hatch	1,007,460	45.73
	Independence	Peter Hutchinson	141,735	6.43
	Green	Ken Pentel	10,800	0.49
	Independent	Walt E. Brown	9,649	0.44
	American	Leslie Davis	3,776	0.17
	Write-in		949	0.04
Total votes			2,202,937	100.00
	Republican hold

Nebraska

Main article: 2006 Nebraska gubernatorial election

Nebraska gubernatorial election

November 7, 2006

Nominee Dave Heineman David Hahn Party Republican Democratic Running mate Rick Sheehy Steve Loschen Popular vote 434,802 144,624 Percentage 73.4% 24.5%

Heineman:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% Hahn:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% Tie:      40–50%      50%      No votes

Governor before election Dave Heineman Republican Elected Governor Dave Heineman Republican

Primary elections were held on May 9, 2006. Republican incumbent Dave Heineman was elected to a full term, defeating Democrat David Hahn.

Nebraska election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Dave Heineman (incumbent)	435,507	73.40
	Democratic	David Hahn	145,115	24.46
	Nebraska	Barry Richards	8,953	1.51
	Independent	Mort Sullivan	3,782	0.64
Total votes			593,357	100.00
	Republican hold

Nevada

Main article: 2006 Nevada gubernatorial election

Nevada gubernatorial election

November 7, 2006

Nominee Jim Gibbons Dina Titus Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 279,003 255,684 Percentage 47.9% 43.9%

County results Gibbons:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Titus:      40–50%

Governor before election Kenny Guinn Republican Elected Governor Jim Gibbons Republican

Governor Kenny Guinn, a moderate Republican, was term-limited. His retirement resulted in competitive primaries in both parties. The Democratic nominee was State Senate Minority Leader Dina Titus, who won the primary with 54% of the vote over Henderson mayor Jim Gibson. The Republican nominee was Congressman Jim Gibbons, who won the primary with 48% of the vote, defeating state senator Bob Beers and Lieutenant Governor Lorraine Hunt. Gibbons, who then represented Nevada's 2nd congressional district, had a strong base in northern Nevada. Titus had a strong base in the Las Vegas Valley due to her legislative and education careers. An October 17 Rasmussen Reports poll put Gibbons ahead of Titus with a 51% to 43% lead. Polls in late October conducted by Mason-Dixon and Research 2000 indicated that Gibbons was on track to win the election.

Republican nominee Jim Gibbons was elected with 48% of the vote, a plurality. Titus received 44% of the vote and Christopher H. Hansen, the nominee of the Independent American Party of Nevada, received about 3%.

Nevada election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Jim Gibbons	279,003	47.93
	Democratic	Dina Titus	255,684	43.92
	None of These Candidates		20,699	3.56
	Independent American	Christopher H. Hansen	20,019	3.44
	Green	Craig Bergland	6,753	1.16
Total votes			582,158	100.00
	Republican hold

New Hampshire

Main article: 2006 New Hampshire gubernatorial election

New Hampshire gubernatorial election

November 7, 2006

Nominee John Lynch Jim Coburn Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 298,760 104,288 Percentage 74.0% 25.8%

Lynch:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% Coburn:      50–60%

Governor before election John Lynch Democratic Elected Governor John Lynch Democratic

Incumbent Democrat John Lynch defeated Republican James B. Coburn and won a second term as Governor of New Hampshire.

Governor John Lynch campaign in New Hampshire

New Hampshire election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	John Lynch	298,760	74.01
	Republican	Jim Coburn	104,288	25.83
	Write-in		631	0.16
Total votes			403,679	100.00
	Democratic hold

New Mexico

Main article: 2006 New Mexico gubernatorial election

New Mexico gubernatorial election

November 7, 2006

Nominee Bill Richardson John Dendahl Party Democratic Republican Running mate Diane Denish Sue Wilson Beffort Popular vote 384,806 174,364 Percentage 68.8% 31.2%

County results Richardson:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90% Dendahl:      50–60%

Governor before election Bill Richardson Democratic Elected Governor Bill Richardson Democratic

Incumbent Democratic governor Bill Richardson was running for re-election. He faced Republican John Dendahl in the general election and won by a landslide.

New Mexico election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Bill Richardson (incumbent)	384,806	68.82
	Republican	John Dendahl	174,364	31.18
Total votes			559,170	100.00
	Democratic hold

New York

Main article: 2006 New York gubernatorial election

New York gubernatorial election

November 7, 2006
Turnout	34.9%
Nominee Eliot Spitzer John Faso Party Democratic Republican Alliance Parties Independence Working Families Conservative Running mate David Paterson C. Scott Vanderhoef Popular vote 3,086,709 1,274,335 Percentage 65.3% 27.1%
County results Spitzer:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90% Faso:      40–50%      50–60%
Governor before election George Pataki Republican Elected Governor Eliot Spitzer Democratic

Governor George Pataki, a moderate Republican, opted not to seek a fourth term in office. Without an incumbent in the race, the Democratic nominee was heavily favored to win the election. New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer won the Democratic primary with 81% of the vote, defeating Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi. As attorney general, Spitzer became well known for prosecuting cases relating to corporate white-collar crime, securities fraud, internet fraud and environmental protection. The Republican nominee was attorney John Faso, a former New York State Assembly minority leader. Throughout the race, polls showed Spitzer defeating Faso by a large margin.

Democratic nominee Eliot Spitzer was elected in a landslide, winning 58 out of the state's 62 counties and taking 65.3% of the vote.

Gubernatorial election in New York, 2006
Party		Candidate	Running mate	Votes	Percentage	Swing
	Democratic	Eliot Spitzer		2,740,864	58.34%	26.84%
	Independence	Eliot Spitzer		190,661	4.06%	10.22%
	Working Families	Eliot Spitzer		155,184	3.30%	1.32%
	Total	Eliot Spitzer	David Paterson	3,086,709	65.70%	32.20%
	Republican	John Faso		1,105,681	23.54%	22.00%
	Conservative	John Faso		168,654	3.59%	0.27%
	Total	John Faso	C. Scott Vanderhoef	1,274,335	27.12%	22.28%
	Green	Malachy McCourt	Brian Jones	42,166	0.89%	0.02%
	Libertarian	John Clifton	Chris Edes	14,736	0.31%	0.20%
	Rent Is Too Damn High	Jimmy McMillan	None	13,355	0.28%	N/A
	Socialist Workers	Maura DeLuca	Ben O'Shaughnessy	5,919	0.13%	N/A
		Blank, Void, Scattering		116,622	5.55%
Majority				1,812,374	38.58%	22.68%
Totals				4,437,220	100.00%
	Democratic gain from Republican			Swing

Ohio

Main article: 2006 Ohio gubernatorial election

Ohio gubernatorial election

November 7, 2006

Nominee Ted Strickland Ken Blackwell Party Democratic Republican Running mate Lee Fisher Tom Raga Popular vote 2,435,384 1,474,285 Percentage 60.5% 36.6%

Strickland:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90% Blackwell:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

Governor before election Bob Taft Republican Elected Governor Ted Strickland Democratic

Term-limited incumbent governor Bob Taft was viewed as one of the most unpopular governors in the history of Ohio. Polls showed his approval rating in the vicinity of 10% to 25%.

Congressman Ted Strickland won the Democratic primary with 79% of the vote, defeating state representative Bryan Flannery. The Republican primary, between Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell and Ohio Attorney General Jim Petro, was more competitive by far. Petro came under fire for switching positions on same-sex marriage and abortion, as well as allegedly taking business from lawyers who refused to give him campaign contributions. Blackwell and Petro also split over proposals to reduce state spending. Blackwell ultimately won the primary with 56% of the vote.

Blackwell was not a close ally of disgraced Governor Taft, but Taft's unpopularity still damaged his campaign. The negativity of the Republican primary also damaged Blackwell's general election campaign. In addition, in 2006 there was a nationwide trend towards the Democratic Party. An October 6 poll by Rasmussen Reports showed that Strickland led by 52% to 40%, a decline from September. By contrast, an October 12 SurveyUSA poll had Strickland leading Blackwell 60% to 32%.

Democratic nominee Ted Strickland was elected with 60.5% of the vote. He became the first Democratic Governor of Ohio since Dick Celeste.

Ohio election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Ted Strickland	2,435,384	60.54
	Republican	Ken Blackwell	1,474,285	36.65
	Libertarian	Bill Peirce	71,468	1.78
	Green	Bob Fitrakis	40,965	1.02
	Write-in		652	0.02
Total votes			4,022,754	100.00
	Democratic gain from Republican

Oklahoma

Main article: 2006 Oklahoma gubernatorial election

Oklahoma gubernatorial election

November 7, 2006

Nominee Brad Henry Ernest Istook Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 616,135 310,327 Percentage 66.5% 33.5%

County results Henry:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90% Istook:      50–60%      60–70%

Governor before election Brad Henry Democratic Elected Governor Brad Henry Democratic

Incumbent Democratic governor Brad Henry won re-election to a second term in a landslide, defeating Republican U.S. representative Ernest Istook. Henry took 66.5% of the vote to Istook's 33.5% and swept all but three counties in the state.

Oklahoma election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Brad Henry (incumbent)	616,135	66.50
	Republican	Ernest Istook	310,327	33.50
Total votes			926,462	100.00
	Democratic hold

Oregon

Main article: 2006 Oregon gubernatorial election

Oregon gubernatorial election

November 7, 2006

Nominee Ted Kulongoski Ron Saxton Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 699,786 589,748 Percentage 50.7% 42.8%

County results Kulongoski:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70% Saxton:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

Governor before election Ted Kulongoski Democratic Elected Governor Ted Kulongoski Democratic

Democratic Governor Ted Kulongoski was elected in 2002 barely defeating former state representative Kevin Mannix. Kulongoski leads his challenger, former Portland Public School Board member Ron Saxton 51% to 44%. Oregon has not elected a Republican as governor since 1982, when Kulongoski lost to then-Governor Victor Atiyeh. Democratic incumbent Ted Kulongoski was re-elected.

Oregon election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Ted Kulongoski (incumbent)	699,786	50.73
	Republican	Ron Saxton	589,748	42.75
	Constitution	Mary Starrett	50,229	3.64
	Pacific Green	Joe Keating	20,030	1.45
	Libertarian	Richard Morley	16,798	1.22
	Write-in		2,884	0.21
Total votes			1,379,475	100.00
	Democratic hold

Pennsylvania

Main article: 2006 Pennsylvania gubernatorial election

Pennsylvania gubernatorial election

November 7, 2006

Nominee Ed Rendell Lynn Swann Party Democratic Republican Running mate Catherine Baker Knoll Jim Matthews Popular vote 2,470,517 1,622,135 Percentage 60.4% 39.6%

Swann:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% Rendell:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%     80–90%      >90% Tie:      50%      No data

Governor before election Ed Rendell Democratic Elected Governor Ed Rendell Democratic

Incumbent Democratic governor Ed Rendell successfully ran for re-election. Pennsylvania's first female lieutenant governor, Catherine Baker Knoll, was also running for re-election.

Pennsylvania election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Ed Rendell (incumbent)	2,470,517	60.33
	Republican	Lynn Swann	1,622,135	39.61
	Write-in		2,670	0.06
Total votes			4,095,322	100.00
	Democratic hold

Rhode Island

Main article: 2006 Rhode Island gubernatorial election

Rhode Island gubernatorial election

November 7, 2006

Nominee Donald Carcieri Charles J. Fogarty Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 197,306 189,503 Percentage 51.0% 49.0%

Carcieri:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Fogarty:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

Governor before election Donald Carcieri Republican Elected Governor Donald Carcieri Republican

Polling in the race showed Donald Carcieri, Republican governor in one of the most liberal states in the country, running even with his Democratic challenger, Lieutenant Governor Charles J. Fogarty. Carcieri was re-elected with 51% of the vote.

Rhode Island election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Donald Carcieri (incumbent)	197,306	51.01
	Democratic	Charles J. Fogarty	189,503	48.99
Total votes			386,809	100.00
	Republican hold

South Carolina

Main article: 2006 South Carolina gubernatorial election

South Carolina gubernatorial election

November 7, 2006

Nominee Mark Sanford Tommy Moore Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 601,868 489,076 Percentage 55.1% 44.8%

County results Sanford:      50–60%      60–70% Moore:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

Governor before election Mark Sanford Republican Elected Governor Mark Sanford Republican

Incumbent Republican Governor Mark Sanford won re-election against Democratic State Senator Tommy Moore, becoming only the third Republican governor in South Carolina to win a second term (Robert Kingston Scott and Carroll A. Campbell Jr. were the others). Sanford started the campaign with a double-digit edge over Moore and he maintained that lead to election day. During the course of the campaign, Sanford's approval rating averaged in the mid-fifties. In Sanford's re-election victory, he also garnered 22% of the African American vote.

South Carolina election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Mark Sanford (incumbent)	601,868	55.12
	Democratic	Tommy Moore	489,076	44.79
	Write-in		1,008	0.09
Total votes			1,091,952	100.00
	Republican hold

South Dakota

Main article: 2006 South Dakota gubernatorial election

South Dakota gubernatorial election

November 7, 2006

Nominee Mike Rounds Jack Billion Party Republican Democratic Running mate Dennis Daugaard Eric Abrahamson Popular vote 206,990 121,226 Percentage 61.7% 36.1%

County results Rounds:      50–60%      60–70%      70-80%      80–90% Billion:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

Governor before election Mike Rounds Republican Elected Governor Mike Rounds Republican

Incumbent Republican governor Mike Rounds defeated Democrat Jack Billion to serve a second term as governor.

South Dakota election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Mike Rounds (incumbent)	206,990	61.69
	Democratic	Jack Billion	121,226	36.13
	Constitution	Steven J. Willis	4,010	1.20
	Libertarian	Tom Gerber	3,282	0.98
Total votes			335,508	100.00
	Republican hold

Tennessee

Main article: 2006 Tennessee gubernatorial election

Tennessee gubernatorial election

November 7, 2006
Turnout	49.97% 0.43 pp
Nominee Phil Bredesen Jim Bryson Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 1,247,491 540,853 Percentage 68.6% 29.7%
County results Bredesen:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
Governor before election Phil Bredesen Democratic Elected Governor Phil Bredesen Democratic

Incumbent Democratic governor Phil Bredesen defeated Republican state senator Jim Bryson in a landslide with 68.6% of the vote, winning every county in the state.

Primary elections were held on August 3, 2006.

As of 2024, this was the last time a Democrat won a majority of counties in the state, the last time a Democrat won any statewide race in Tennessee, and the most recent statewide election in Tennessee in which 88 of the state's 95 counties, including Knox County and Hamilton County, went to the Democratic candidate. Only Davidson, Shelby, Haywood, Hardeman, Houston, Jackson, and Lake counties have voted for a Democratic candidate in a presidential, Senate, or gubernatorial race since 2006, with Jackson and Lake only going Democratic once. Eight years later, Republican governor Bill Haslam won every county in the state when he won re-election. This marked a sharp political shift in Tennessee.

Tennessee election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Phil Bredesen (incumbent)	1,247,491	68.60
	Republican	Jim Bryson	540,853	29.74
	Independent	Carl Two Feathers Whitaker	11,374	0.63
	Independent	George Banks	7,531	0.41
	Independent	Charles E. Smith	4,083	0.22
	Independent	Howard W. Switzer	2,711	0.15
	Independent	David Gatchell	2,385	0.13
	Independent	Marivuana Stout Leinoff	2,114	0.12
	Write-in		7	0.00
Total votes			1,818,549	100.00
	Democratic hold

Texas

Main article: 2006 Texas gubernatorial election

Texas gubernatorial election

November 7, 2006

Nominee Rick Perry Chris Bell Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 1,716,803 1,310,353 Percentage 39.0% 29.8%   Nominee Carole Keeton Strayhorn Kinky Friedman Party Independent Independent Popular vote 797,577 546,869 Percentage 18.1% 12.4%

County results Perry:      20–30%      30–40%      40–50%      50–60%      60–70% Bell:      30–40%      40–50%      50–60%      60–70% Strayhorn:      20–30%      30–40%      40–50%

Governor before election Rick Perry Republican Elected Governor Rick Perry Republican

Challenges from two popular independents, coupled with Perry's mediocre approval ratings, made the race interesting. Populist state Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn decided to defect from the GOP and run against Perry, her bitter political foe, as an independent. Six weeks after the announcement of her candidacy, she moved to within single digits of Perry in polls. In addition to Perry and Strayhorn, former congressman Chris Bell ran as the Democratic candidate, with country singer and Texas icon Kinky Friedman as another independent. This resulted in a peculiar four-way race (technically, a six-way race including the Libertarian candidate and a write-in candidate) in which no run-off would take place. Perry was elected to a second full term with just 39% of the vote.

Texas election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Rick Perry (incumbent)	1,716,803	39.03
	Democratic	Chris Bell	1,310,353	29.79
	Independent	Carole Keeton Strayhorn	797,577	18.13
	Independent	Kinky Friedman	546,869	12.43
	Libertarian	James Werner	26,748	0.61
	Write-in		718	0.02
Total votes			4,399,068	100.00
	Republican hold

Vermont

Main article: 2006 Vermont gubernatorial election

Vermont gubernatorial election

November 7, 2006

Nominee Jim Douglas Scudder Parker Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 148,014 108,090 Percentage 56.3% 41.1%

Douglas:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90% Parker:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

Governor before election Jim Douglas Republican Elected Governor Jim Douglas Republican

Incumbent Republican Governor Jim Douglas won re-election to a third term, defeating Democratic nominee Scudder Parker.

Vermont election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Jim Douglas (incumbent)	148,014	56.38
	Democratic	Scudder Parker	108,090	41.17
	Independent	Cris Ericson	2,477	0.94
	Green	Jim Hogue	1,936	0.74
	Independent	Benjamin Clarke	1,216	0.46
	Liberty Union	Robert Skold	638	0.24
	Write-in		153	0.06
Total votes			262,524	100.00
	Republican hold

Wisconsin

Main article: 2006 Wisconsin gubernatorial election

Wisconsin gubernatorial election

November 7, 2006

Nominee Jim Doyle Mark Green Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 1,139,115 979,427 Percentage 52.7% 45.3%

Doyle:      30–40%      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% Green:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% Tie:      40–50%      50%      No data

Governor before election Jim Doyle Democratic Elected Governor Jim Doyle Democratic

In 2002, Doyle was elected with only 45 percent of the vote because of an unusually strong challenge from the Libertarian party. Although his early 2006 approval rating was a mildly unfavorable 45 percent, he led both Republican challengers, Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker and Congressman Mark Green by six to nine points in polls; he has not been able to poll greater than fifty percent. Green got a big break when Walker dropped out of the race. And more recent polls show that Green has pulled even. Wisconsin is a swing state in the strongest sense, with George W. Bush losing the state by some 5,700 votes in 2000 and around 12,400 votes in 2004, although they hadn't voted for a Republican for president since 1984, and they hadn't had a Republican senator since 1993. An October 18 Rasmussen Reports poll has Doyle leading Green 48% to 44% and an October 31 Research 2000 poll has Doyle leading Green 50% to 44%. Democratic incumbent Jim Doyle was re-elected.

Wisconsin election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Jim Doyle (incumbent)	1,139,115	52.76
	Republican	Mark A. Green	979,427	45.36
	Green	Nelson Eisman	40,709	1.89
Total votes			2,159,251	100.00
	Democratic hold

Wyoming

Main article: 2006 Wyoming gubernatorial election

2006 Wyoming gubernatorial election

November 7, 2006

Nominee Dave Freudenthal Ray Hunkins Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 135,516 58,100 Percentage 70.0% 30.0%

County results Freudenthal:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%

Governor before election Dave Freudenthal Democratic Elected Governor Dave Freudenthal Democratic

Incumbent Democratic governor Dave Freudenthal won re-election in a landslide over Republican Ray Hunkins, becoming the first Democrat since 1910 to win every county in the state. To date this was the last time a Democrat was elected to statewide office in Wyoming, the last time a Democrat carried every county in the state, the last gubernatorial election in which a Democrat received more than 30% of the vote, and the last statewide election in which a Democrat received more than 45% of the vote.

Wyoming election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Dave Freudenthal (incumbent)	135,516	69.99
	Republican	Ray Hunkins	58,100	30.01
Total votes			193,616	100.00
	Democratic hold

Territories and federal district

District of Columbia

Main article: 2006 Washington, D.C., mayoral election

District of Columbia mayoral election

November 7, 2006

Nominee Adrian Fenty David Kranich Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 98,740 6,744 Percentage 89.7% 6.1%

Results by ward:   Fenty—>90%   Fenty—80–90%

Mayor before election Anthony A. Williams Democratic Elected mayor Adrian Fenty Democratic

The Democratic primary was held on September 12. The winner of that and general election was Adrian Fenty, the representative for Ward 4 on the D.C. Council. He took office on January 2, 2007, becoming the sixth directly elected mayor since the establishment of home rule in the District, and — at 35 — the youngest elected mayor of a major American city in U.S. history.

Washington, D.C. election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Adrian Fenty	98,740	89.73
	Republican	David Kranich	6,744	6.13
	DC Statehood Green	Chris Otten	4,554	4.14
Total votes			110,038	100.00
	Democratic hold

Guam

Main article: 2006 Guamanian general election

Guamanian gubernatorial election

November 7, 2006

Nominee Felix Perez Camacho Robert Underwood Party Republican Democratic Running mate Michael Cruz Frank Aguon Popular vote 19,560 18,700 Percentage 50.25% 48.04%

Governor before election Felix Perez Camacho Republican Elected Governor Felix Perez Camacho Republican

In the U.S. territory of Guam, in the western Pacific Ocean, Republican governor Felix P. Camacho was challenged by Democrat Robert Underwood. A former Guam delegate-at-large in the U.S. House of Representatives, Underwood had previously represented Guam from 1993 to 2003. The race was a rematch of the 2002 gubernatorial election in which Camacho handily defeated Underwood and won his first term in office by 10 points (see Politics of Guam). However, the race was significantly more close and competitive in 2006, with Camacho narrowly winning re-election by a 2-point margin over Underwood.

Guam election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Felix Perez Camacho (incumbent)	19,560	50.25
	Democratic	Robert A. Underwood	18,700	48.04
	Write-in		668	1.72
Total votes			38,928	100.00
	Republican hold

U.S. Virgin Islands

2006 United States Virgin Islands gubernatorial election

November 7, 2006 (first round) November 21, 2006 (runoff)
Turnout	29,046
Nominee John de Jongh Kenneth Mapp Party Democratic Independent Running mate Gregory Francis Almando Liburd Popular vote 16,644 12,402 Percentage 57.3% 42.7%
Governor before election Charles Wesley Turnbull Democratic Elected Governor John de Jongh Democratic

U.S. Virgin Islands election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	John de Jongh Jr.	16,644	57.30
	Independent	Kenneth Mapp	12,402	42.70
Total votes			29,046	100.00
	Democratic hold

See also

• 2006 United States elections
  • 2006 United States Senate elections
  • 2006 United States House of Representatives elections

External links

• Major Problems At Polls Feared, Dan Balz and Zachary A. Goldfarb, The Washington Post, September 17, 2006