2006 United States Senate elections
{{Short description|none}}{{use mdy dates|date=November 2017}}
{{Infobox election
| election_name = 2006 United States Senate elections
| country = United States
| type = legislative
| ongoing = no
| previous_election = 2004 United States Senate elections
| previous_year = 2004
| next_election = 2008 United States Senate elections
| next_year = 2008
| previous_seat_election = 2000 United States Senate elections
| previous_seat_year = 2000
| next_seat_election = 2012 United States Senate elections
| next_seat_year = 2012
| seats_for_election = 33 of the 100 seats in the United States Senate
| majority_seats = 51
| election_date = November 7, 2006
| image_size = 160x180px
| 1blank = Seats up
| 2blank = Races won
| party1 = Democratic Party (United States)
| image1 = Harry Reid official portrait 2009 (3x4b).jpg
| leader1 = Harry Reid
| leaders_seat1 = Nevada
| leader_since1 = January 3, 2005
| seats_before1 = 44
| seats_after1 = 49
| seat_change1 = {{increase}} 5
| popular_vote1 = 32,344,708
| percentage1 = 53.2%
| 1data1 = 17
| 2data1 = 22
| party2 = Republican Party (United States)
| image2 = Bill Frist official photo (3x4b).jpg
| leader2 = Bill Frist
(retired)
| leaders_seat2 = Tennessee
| leader_since2 = January 3, 2003
| seats_before2 = 55
| seats_after2 = 49
| seat_change2 = {{decrease}} 6
| popular_vote2 = 25,437,934
| percentage2 = 41.8%
| 1data2 = 15
| 2data2 = 9
| party4 = CFL
| color4 = FFFF00
| last_election4 = 0
| seats_before4 = 0
| seats_after4 = 1Though Joe Lieberman (CT) won on the Connecticut for Lieberman ticket, he referred to himself as an independent Democrat and was listed on the Senate website as ID-CT.
| seat_change4 = {{increase}} 1
| popular_vote4 = 564,095
| percentage4 = 0.8%
| 1data4 = 0
| 2data4 = 1
| party5 = Independent (US)
| last_election5 = 1
| seats_before5 = 1Jim Jeffords (VT) caucused with the Democrats.
| seats_after5 = 1Bernie Sanders (VT) caucused with the Democrats.
| seat_change5 = {{steady}}
| popular_vote5 = 378,142
| percentage5 = 0.6%
| 1data5 = 1
| 2data5 = 1
| map_image = {{2006 United States Senate elections imagemap}}
| map_size = 320px
| map_caption = Results of the elections:
{{legend0|#0671B0|Democratic gain}} {{legend0|#FFF600|Connecticut for Lieberman gain}}
{{legend0|#92C5DE|Democratic hold}} {{legend0|#F48882|Republican hold}} {{legend0|#999999|Independent hold}}
{{legend0|#D3D3D3|No election}}
{{reflist | group="Note"}}
| title = Majority Leader
| before_election = Bill Frist
| before_party = Republican Party (United States)
| after_election = Harry Reid
| after_party = Democratic Party (United States)
}}
The 2006 United States Senate elections were held on November 7, 2006, with all 33 Class 1 Senate seats being contested. The term of office for those elected in 2006 ran from January 3, 2007, to January 3, 2013. Before the election cycle, the Republican Party controlled 55 of the 100 Senate seats.
The Senate elections were part of the Democratic sweep during the 2006 elections, in which Democrats made numerous gains and no congressional or gubernatorial seat held by a Democrat was won by a Republican.{{cite news |title= Democratic sweep may be long-lasting |newspaper=Chicago Tribune |author=Don Rose |date=December 26, 2006 |access-date=April 9, 2014 |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2006/12/26/democratic-sweep-may-be-long-lasting/}} However, Democratic incumbent Joe Lieberman in Connecticut was defeated in the primary and was later reelected as a third-party candidate; he continued to caucus with the Democrats. Because of this, this is the first time since 1970 in which a member of a third party, who is not an independent, was elected to the Senate. Independent Jim Jeffords in Vermont retired but was succeeded by another Independent, Bernie Sanders, retaining their presence in the Senate. Jeffords and Sanders both caucused with Democrats. Democrats picked 6 seats up by defeating Republican incumbents in Missouri, Montana, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Rhode Island, and Virginia, while holding open seats in Maryland and Minnesota. Republicans held their sole open seat in Tennessee.
Following the elections, no party held a majority of seats for the first time since January 1955. The Democrats were able to control the chamber because the two Independents caucused with the Democrats. They needed at least 51 seats to control the Senate because Vice President Dick Cheney would have broken any 50–50 tie in favor of the Republicans. This was the only time between 1990 and 2022 that Democrats gained Senate seats in a midterm.
{{As of|2024}}, this was the last time a Democrat won a Senate election in Nebraska, the last time a Democrat did not win a seat in Connecticut, and the last time that the tipping point state was decided by under 1%, with Jim Webb of Virginia winning by a margin of under .4%.
Results summary
| style="width:40em; text-align:center;"
|+ ↓ |
| style="color:white;"
| style="background:{{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}}; width:49%;" | 49 | style="background:{{party color|Independent (US)}}; color:black; width:2%;" | 2 | style="background:{{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}; width:49%;" | 49 |
| style="width:40em; text-align:center;" |
| style="width:49%;color:{{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}}"| Democratic
| Independent | style="width:49%;color:{{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}"| Republican |
| class=wikitable style=text-align:center |
| colspan=2 rowspan=2 | Parties
| style="background-color:{{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}" | | style="background-color:{{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}}" | | style="background-color:{{party color|Independent (US)}}" | | style="background-color:{{party color|Libertarian Party (United States)}}" | | style="background-color:{{party color|Green Party (United States)}}" | | style="background-color:{{party color|Independence Party (United States)}}" | | style="background-color:{{party color|Constitution Party (United States)}}" | | style="background-color:{{party color|Other Party (United States)}}" | ! rowspan=2 | Total |
|---|
| Republican
! Green ! Others |
| colspan=2 | Before these elections
! {{party shading/Republican}} | 55 ! 44 ! 1{{efn | name="ID" | The Independents caucused with Democrats.}} ! — ! — ! — ! — ! — ! 100 |
| rowspan=3 style="background:#cccccc" | Not Up
! Total | 40 | {{party shading/Democratic}} | 27 | — | — | — | — | — | — ! 67 |
| style="background:#dddddd" | {{Small|Class 2 (2002→2008)}}
| {{party shading/Republican}} | 21 | 12 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — ! 33 |
| style="background:#dddddd" | {{Small|Class 3 (2004→2010)}}
| {{party shading/Republican}} | 19 | 15 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — ! 34 |
| style="background:#cccccc" | Up
! style="background:#dddddd" | Class 1 | 15 | {{party shading/Democratic}} | 17 | 1{{efn | name="ID"}} | — | — | — | — | — ! 33 |
| colspan=99 | |
| rowspan=2 style="background:#cccccc" | Incumbent retired ! {{Small|Held by same party}} | 1 | {{party shading/Democratic}} | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — ! 4 |
| {{Small|Replaced by other party}}
| — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — ! 0 |
| rowspan=6 style="background:#cccccc" | Incumbent ran ! Total before | 14 | {{party shading/Democratic}} | 15{{efn|In Connecticut, Joe Lieberman lost renomination for another term, Ned Lamont became the party's new nominee. Therefore, Lieberman ran as an Independent candidate.}} | — | — | — | — | — | — ! 29 |
| {{Small|Won re-election}}
| 8 | {{party shading/Democratic}} | 14 | — | — | — | — | — | — ! 22 |
| {{Small|Lost re-election}}
| colspan=2 {{party shading/Democratic}} | {{Decrease}} 6 Republicans replaced | — | — | — | — | — | — ! 6 |
| {{Small|Lost renomination, held by same party}}
| — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — ! 0 |
| {{Small|Lost renomination, and party lost}}
| — | colspan=2 {{party shading/Independent}} | {{Decrease}} 1 Democrat re-elected | — | — | — | — | — ! 1 |
| Result after
| 8 | {{party shading/Democratic}} | 20 | 1{{efn | name="ID"}} | — | — | — | — | — ! 29 |
| colspan=2 | Net gain/loss
| {{decrease}} 6 | {{party shading/Democratic}} | {{increase}} 5 | {{increase}} 1 | — | — | — | — | — ! 6 |
| colspan=2 | Total elected
! 9 ! {{party shading/Democratic}} | 22 ! 2{{efn | name="ID"}} ! — ! — ! — ! — ! — ! 33 |
| colspan=99 | |
| colspan=2 | Result
! 49 ! {{party shading/Democratic}} | 49 ! {{party shading/Democratic}} | 2{{efn | name="ID"}} ! — ! — ! — ! — ! — ! 100 |
| colspan=99 | |
| rowspan=2 style="background:#cccccc" | Popular vote ! Votes (turnout: 29.7 %) | 25,437,934 | {{party shading/Democratic}} | 32,344,708 | 378,142 | 612,732 | 295,935 | 231,899 | 26,934 | 1,115,432 ! 60,839,144 |
| Share
| 41.81% | {{party shading/Democratic}} | 53.16% | 0.62% | 1.01% | 0.49% | 0.38% | 0.04% | 1.83% ! 100% |
Sources:
- [http://www.uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/national.php?year=2006&off=3&f=0 Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Elections]
- [http://elections.gmu.edu/Turnout_2006G.html United States Elections Project at George Mason University] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130125091319/http://elections.gmu.edu/Turnout_2006G.html |date=January 25, 2013 }}
Change in composition
= Before the elections =
[[File:2006 United States Senate elections retirements map.svg|thumb|250px|Map of retirements:
{{legend|#FF9998|Republican incumbent}}
{{legend|#93C5DD|Democratic incumbent}}
{{legend|#999999|Independent incumbent{{efn|Joe Lieberman of Connecticut was a Democratic incumbent, but lost the Democratic nomination and subsequently ran for re-election as an independent under the Connecticut for Lieberman party.}}}}
{{legend|#0671B0|Democratic incumbent retired}}
{{legend|#CA0020|Republican incumbent retired}}
{{legend|#666966|Independent incumbent retired}}]]
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" |
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | D{{Sub|1}}
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | D{{Sub|2}} | {{Party shading/Democratic}} | D{{Sub|3}} | {{Party shading/Democratic}} | D{{Sub|4}} | {{Party shading/Democratic}} | D{{Sub|5}} | {{Party shading/Democratic}} | D{{Sub|6}} | {{Party shading/Democratic}} | D{{Sub|7}} | {{Party shading/Democratic}} | D{{Sub|8}} | {{Party shading/Democratic}} | D{{Sub|9}} | {{Party shading/Democratic}} | D{{Sub|10}} |
| width=50px {{Party shading/Democratic}} | D{{Sub|20}}
| width=50px {{Party shading/Democratic}} | D{{Sub|19}} | width=50px {{Party shading/Democratic}} | D{{Sub|18}} | width=50px {{Party shading/Democratic}} | D{{Sub|17}} | width=50px {{Party shading/Democratic}} | D{{Sub|16}} | width=50px {{Party shading/Democratic}} | D{{Sub|15}} | width=50px {{Party shading/Democratic}} | D{{Sub|14}} | width=50px {{Party shading/Democratic}} | D{{Sub|13}} | width=50px {{Party shading/Democratic}} | D{{Sub|12}} | width=50px {{Party shading/Democratic}} | D{{Sub|11}} |
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | D{{Sub|21}}
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | D{{Sub|22}} | {{Party shading/Democratic}} | D{{Sub|23}} | {{Party shading/Democratic}} | D{{Sub|24}} | {{Party shading/Democratic}} | D{{Sub|25}} | {{Party shading/Democratic}} | D{{Sub|26}} | {{Party shading/Democratic}} | D{{Sub|27}} | {{Party shading/Democratic/active}} | D{{Sub|28}} | {{Party shading/Democratic/active}} | D{{Sub|29}} | {{Party shading/Democratic/active}} | D{{Sub|30}} |
| {{Party shading/Democratic/active}} | D{{Sub|40}} {{Small|Wash.}} {{Small|Ran}} | {{Party shading/Democratic/active}} | D{{Sub|39}} | {{Party shading/Democratic/active}} | D{{Sub|38}} | {{Party shading/Democratic/active}} | D{{Sub|37}} | {{Party shading/Democratic/active}} | D{{Sub|36}} | {{Party shading/Democratic/active}} | D{{Sub|35}} | {{Party shading/Democratic/active}} | D{{Sub|34}} | {{Party shading/Democratic/active}} | D{{Sub|33}} | {{Party shading/Democratic/active}} | D{{Sub|32}} | {{Party shading/Democratic/active}} | D{{Sub|31}} |
| {{Party shading/Democratic/active}} | D{{Sub|41}} {{Small|W.Va.}} {{Small|Ran}} | {{Party shading/Democratic/active}} | D{{Sub|42}} | {{Party shading/Democratic/active}} | D{{Sub|43}} | {{Party shading/Democratic/active}} | D{{Sub|44}} | {{Party shading/Independent (US)/active}} | I{{Sub|1}} | {{Party shading/Republican/active}} | R{{Sub|55}} | {{Party shading/Republican/active}} | R{{Sub|54}} | {{Party shading/Republican/active}} | R{{Sub|53}} | {{Party shading/Republican/active}} | R{{Sub|52}} | rowspan=2 {{Party shading/Republican/active}} | R{{Sub|51}} |
| colspan=9 style="text-align:right" | Majority → |
| {{Party shading/Republican/active}} | R{{Sub|41}} {{Small|Ariz.}} {{Small|Ran}} | {{Party shading/Republican/active}} | R{{Sub|42}} | {{Party shading/Republican/active}} | R{{Sub|43}} | {{Party shading/Republican/active}} | R{{Sub|44}} | {{Party shading/Republican/active}} | R{{Sub|45}} | {{Party shading/Republican/active}} | R{{Sub|46}} | {{Party shading/Republican/active}} | R{{Sub|47}} | {{Party shading/Republican/active}} | R{{Sub|48}} | {{Party shading/Republican/active}} | R{{Sub|49}} | {{Party shading/Republican/active}} | R{{Sub|50}} |
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | R{{Sub|40}}
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | R{{Sub|39}} | {{Party shading/Republican}} | R{{Sub|38}} | {{Party shading/Republican}} | R{{Sub|37}} | {{Party shading/Republican}} | R{{Sub|36}} | {{Party shading/Republican}} | R{{Sub|35}} | {{Party shading/Republican}} | R{{Sub|34}} | {{Party shading/Republican}} | R{{Sub|33}} | {{Party shading/Republican}} | R{{Sub|32}} | {{Party shading/Republican}} | R{{Sub|31}} |
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | R{{Sub|21}}
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | R{{Sub|22}} | {{Party shading/Republican}} | R{{Sub|23}} | {{Party shading/Republican}} | R{{Sub|24}} | {{Party shading/Republican}} | R{{Sub|25}} | {{Party shading/Republican}} | R{{Sub|26}} | {{Party shading/Republican}} | R{{Sub|27}} | {{Party shading/Republican}} | R{{Sub|28}} | {{Party shading/Republican}} | R{{Sub|29}} | {{Party shading/Republican}} | R{{Sub|30}} |
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | R{{Sub|20}}
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | R{{Sub|19}} | {{Party shading/Republican}} | R{{Sub|18}} | {{Party shading/Republican}} | R{{Sub|17}} | {{Party shading/Republican}} | R{{Sub|16}} | {{Party shading/Republican}} | R{{Sub|15}} | {{Party shading/Republican}} | R{{Sub|14}} | {{Party shading/Republican}} | R{{Sub|13}} | {{Party shading/Republican}} | R{{Sub|12}} | {{Party shading/Republican}} | R{{Sub|11}} |
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | R{{Sub|1}}
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | R{{Sub|2}} | {{Party shading/Republican}} | R{{Sub|3}} | {{Party shading/Republican}} | R{{Sub|4}} | {{Party shading/Republican}} | R{{Sub|5}} | {{Party shading/Republican}} | R{{Sub|6}} | {{Party shading/Republican}} | R{{Sub|7}} | {{Party shading/Republican}} | R{{Sub|8}} | {{Party shading/Republican}} | R{{Sub|9}} | {{Party shading/Republican}} | R{{Sub|10}} |
= After the elections =
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" |
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | D{{Sub|1}}
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | D{{Sub|2}} | {{Party shading/Democratic}} | D{{Sub|3}} | {{Party shading/Democratic}} | D{{Sub|4}} | {{Party shading/Democratic}} | D{{Sub|5}} | {{Party shading/Democratic}} | D{{Sub|6}} | {{Party shading/Democratic}} | D{{Sub|7}} | {{Party shading/Democratic}} | D{{Sub|8}} | {{Party shading/Democratic}} | D{{Sub|9}} | {{Party shading/Democratic}} | D{{Sub|10}} |
| width=10% {{Party shading/Democratic}} | D{{Sub|20}}
| width=10% {{Party shading/Democratic}} | D{{Sub|19}} | width=10% {{Party shading/Democratic}} | D{{Sub|18}} | width=10% {{Party shading/Democratic}} | D{{Sub|17}} | width=10% {{Party shading/Democratic}} | D{{Sub|16}} | width=10% {{Party shading/Democratic}} | D{{Sub|15}} | width=10% {{Party shading/Democratic}} | D{{Sub|14}} | width=10% {{Party shading/Democratic}} | D{{Sub|13}} | width=10% {{Party shading/Democratic}} | D{{Sub|12}} | width=10% {{Party shading/Democratic}} | D{{Sub|11}} |
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | D{{Sub|21}}
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | D{{Sub|22}} | {{Party shading/Democratic}} | D{{Sub|23}} | {{Party shading/Democratic}} | D{{Sub|24}} | {{Party shading/Democratic}} | D{{Sub|25}} | {{Party shading/Democratic}} | D{{Sub|26}} | {{Party shading/Democratic}} | D{{Sub|27}} | {{Party shading/Democratic/active}} | D{{Sub|28}} | {{Party shading/Democratic/active}} | D{{Sub|29}} | {{Party shading/Democratic/active}} | D{{Sub|30}} |
| {{Party shading/Democratic/active}} | D{{Sub|40}} {{Small|N.D.}} {{Small|Re-elected}} | {{Party shading/Democratic/active}} | D{{Sub|39}} | {{Party shading/Democratic/active}} | D{{Sub|38}} | {{Party shading/Democratic/active}} | D{{Sub|37}} | {{Party shading/Democratic/active}} | D{{Sub|36}} | {{Party shading/Democratic/active}} | D{{Sub|35}} | {{Party shading/Democratic/active}} | D{{Sub|34}} | {{Party shading/Democratic/active}} | D{{Sub|33}} | {{Party shading/Democratic/active}} | D{{Sub|32}} | {{Party shading/Democratic/active}} | D{{Sub|31}} |
| {{Party shading/Democratic/active}} | D{{Sub|41}} {{Small|Wash.}} {{Small|Re-elected}} | {{Party shading/Democratic/active}} | D{{Sub|42}} | {{Party shading/Democratic/active}} | D{{Sub|43}} | {{Party shading/Democratic/active}} | D{{Sub|44}} | {{Party shading/Democratic/active}} | D{{Sub|45}} | {{Party shading/Democratic/active}} | D{{Sub|46}} | {{Party shading/Democratic/active}} | D{{Sub|47}} | {{Party shading/Democratic/active}} | D{{Sub|48}} | {{Party shading/Democratic/active}} | D{{Sub|49}} | {{Party shading/Independent (US)/active}} | I{{Sub|1}} |
| colspan=9 style="text-align:right" | Majority (with Independents) ↑
| rowspan=2 {{Party shading/Independent (US)/active}} | I{{Sub|2}} |
| {{Party shading/Republican/active}} | R{{Sub|41}} {{Small|Ariz.}} {{Small|Re-elected}} | {{Party shading/Republican/active}} | R{{Sub|42}} | {{Party shading/Republican/active}} | R{{Sub|43}} | {{Party shading/Republican/active}} | R{{Sub|44}} | {{Party shading/Republican/active}} | R{{Sub|45}} | {{Party shading/Republican/active}} | R{{Sub|46}} | {{Party shading/Republican/active}} | R{{Sub|47}} | {{Party shading/Republican/active}} | R{{Sub|48}} | {{Party shading/Republican/active}} | R{{Sub|49}} |
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | R{{Sub|40}}
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | R{{Sub|39}} | {{Party shading/Republican}} | R{{Sub|38}} | {{Party shading/Republican}} | R{{Sub|37}} | {{Party shading/Republican}} | R{{Sub|36}} | {{Party shading/Republican}} | R{{Sub|35}} | {{Party shading/Republican}} | R{{Sub|34}} | {{Party shading/Republican}} | R{{Sub|33}} | {{Party shading/Republican}} | R{{Sub|32}} | {{Party shading/Republican}} | R{{Sub|31}} |
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | R{{Sub|21}}
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | R{{Sub|22}} | {{Party shading/Republican}} | R{{Sub|23}} | {{Party shading/Republican}} | R{{Sub|24}} | {{Party shading/Republican}} | R{{Sub|25}} | {{Party shading/Republican}} | R{{Sub|26}} | {{Party shading/Republican}} | R{{Sub|27}} | {{Party shading/Republican}} | R{{Sub|28}} | {{Party shading/Republican}} | R{{Sub|29}} | {{Party shading/Republican}} | R{{Sub|30}} |
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | R{{Sub|20}}
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | R{{Sub|19}} | {{Party shading/Republican}} | R{{Sub|18}} | {{Party shading/Republican}} | R{{Sub|17}} | {{Party shading/Republican}} | R{{Sub|16}} | {{Party shading/Republican}} | R{{Sub|15}} | {{Party shading/Republican}} | R{{Sub|14}} | {{Party shading/Republican}} | R{{Sub|13}} | {{Party shading/Republican}} | R{{Sub|12}} | {{Party shading/Republican}} | R{{Sub|11}} |
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | R{{Sub|1}}
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | R{{Sub|2}} | {{Party shading/Republican}} | R{{Sub|3}} | {{Party shading/Republican}} | R{{Sub|4}} | {{Party shading/Republican}} | R{{Sub|5}} | {{Party shading/Republican}} | R{{Sub|6}} | {{Party shading/Republican}} | R{{Sub|7}} | {{Party shading/Republican}} | R{{Sub|8}} | {{Party shading/Republican}} | R{{Sub|9}} | {{Party shading/Republican}} | R{{Sub|10}} |
| valign=top
! Key: | {| class=wikitable |
| align=center width=35px {{Party shading/Democratic}} | D{{Sub|#}} |
| align=center width=35px {{Party shading/Independent (US)}} | I{{Sub|#}} |
| align=center width=35px {{Party shading/Republican}} | R{{Sub|#}} |
|}
Final pre-election predictions
{{anchor|predictions table}}
| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"
! State ! Incumbent ! Last election{{efn|The last elections for this group of senators were in 2000, except for those elected in a special election or who were appointed after the resignation or passing of a sitting senator, as noted.}} ! Crystal Ball[https://centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/articles/sen2006102001/], {{As of|2021|04|21|df=us|lc=y}} ! Result |
| Arizona
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | Jon Kyl | {{Party shading/Republican}} | 79.3% R | {{USRaceRating|Lean|R}} | {{USRaceRating|Lean|R}} | {{USRaceRating|Lean|R}} | {{Party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value="53.3" | Kyl |
|---|
| California
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Dianne Feinstein | {{Party shading/Democratic}} | 55.8% D | {{USRaceRating|Safe|D}} | {{USRaceRating|Safe|D}} | {{USRaceRating|Safe|D}} | {{Party shading/Democratic}} data-sort-value="-59.4" | Feinstein |
| Connecticut
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Joe Lieberman | {{Party shading/Democratic}} | 63.2% D | style="background:{{party color|Independent}}" |{{sort|098|Lean I {{small|(flip)}}}} | style="background:{{party color|Independent (US)}}" |{{sort|098|Safe I {{small|(flip)}}}} | style="background:{{party color|Independent (US)}}" |{{sort|098|Safe I {{small|(flip)}}}} | {{Party shading/Independent (US)}} data-sort-value="-49.7" | Lieberman |
| Delaware
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Tom Carper | {{Party shading/Democratic}} | 55.5% D | {{USRaceRating|Safe|D}} | {{USRaceRating|Safe|D}} | {{USRaceRating|Safe|D}} | {{Party shading/Democratic}} data-sort-value="-67.1" | Carper |
| Florida
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Bill Nelson | {{Party shading/Democratic}} | 51% D | {{USRaceRating|Safe|D}} | {{USRaceRating|Safe|D}} | {{USRaceRating|Safe|D}} | {{Party shading/Democratic}} data-sort-value="-60.3" | Nelson |
| Hawaii
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Daniel Akaka | {{Party shading/Democratic}} | 72.7% D | {{USRaceRating|Safe|D}} | {{USRaceRating|Safe|D}} | {{USRaceRating|Safe|D}} | {{Party shading/Democratic}} data-sort-value="-61.4" | Akaka |
| Indiana
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | Richard Lugar | {{Party shading/Republican}} | 66.5% R | {{USRaceRating|Safe|R}} | {{USRaceRating|Safe|R}} | {{USRaceRating|Safe|R}} | {{Party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value="87.3" | Lugar |
| Maine
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | Olympia Snowe | {{Party shading/Republican}} | 68.9% R | {{USRaceRating|Safe|R}} | {{USRaceRating|Safe|R}} | {{USRaceRating|Safe|R}} | {{Party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value="74.4" | Snowe |
| Maryland
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Paul Sarbanes | {{Party shading/Democratic}} | 63.2% D | {{USRaceRating|Lean|D}} | {{USRaceRating|Lean|D}} | {{USRaceRating|Tossup}} | {{Party shading/Democratic}} data-sort-value="-54.2" | Cardin |
| Massachusetts
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Ted Kennedy | {{Party shading/Democratic}} | 72.9% D | {{USRaceRating|Safe|D}} | {{USRaceRating|Safe|D}} | {{USRaceRating|Safe|D}} | {{Party shading/Democratic}} data-sort-value="-69.5" | Kennedy |
| Michigan
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Debbie Stabenow | {{Party shading/Democratic}} | 49.4% D | {{USRaceRating|Likely|D}} | {{USRaceRating|Likely|D}} | {{USRaceRating|Lean|D}} | {{Party shading/Democratic}} data-sort-value="-56.9" | Stabenow |
| Minnesota
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Mark Dayton | {{Party shading/Democratic}} | 48.8% D | {{USRaceRating|Likely|D}} | {{USRaceRating|Safe|D}} | {{USRaceRating|Likely|D}} | {{Party shading/Democratic}} data-sort-value="-58.1" | Klobuchar |
| Mississippi
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | Trent Lott | {{Party shading/Republican}} | 65.9% R | {{USRaceRating|Safe|R}} | {{USRaceRating|Safe|R}} | {{USRaceRating|Safe|R}} | {{Party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value="63.6" | Lott |
| Missouri
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | Jim Talent | {{Party shading/Republican}} | 49.8% R | {{USRaceRating|Tilt|D|Flip}} | {{USRaceRating|Lean|D|Flip}} | {{USRaceRating|Tossup}} | {{Party shading/Democratic}} data-sort-value="-49.6" | McCaskill |
| Montana
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | Conrad Burns | {{Party shading/Republican}} | 50.6% R | {{USRaceRating|Lean|D|Flip}} | {{USRaceRating|Lean|D|Flip}} | {{USRaceRating|Tossup}} | {{Party shading/Democratic}} data-sort-value="-49.2" | Tester |
| Nebraska
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Ben Nelson | {{Party shading/Democratic}} | 51% D | {{USRaceRating|Likely|D}} | {{USRaceRating|Likely|D}} | {{USRaceRating|Safe|D}} | {{Party shading/Democratic}} data-sort-value="-63.9" | Nelson |
| Nevada
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | John Ensign | {{Party shading/Republican}} | 55.1% D | {{USRaceRating|Safe|R}} | {{USRaceRating|Safe|R}} | {{USRaceRating|Safe|R}} | {{Party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value="55.4" | Ensign |
| New Jersey
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Bob Menendez | {{Party shading/Vacant}} | Appointed | {{USRaceRating|Tilt|D}} | {{USRaceRating|Lean|D}} | {{USRaceRating|Tossup}} | {{Party shading/Democratic}} data-sort-value="-53.4" | Menendez |
| New Mexico
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Jeff Bingaman | {{Party shading/Democratic}} | 61.7% D | {{USRaceRating|Safe|D}} | {{USRaceRating|Safe|D}} | {{USRaceRating|Safe|D}} | {{Party shading/Democratic}} data-sort-value="-61.7" | Bingaman |
| New York
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Hillary Clinton | {{Party shading/Democratic}} | 55% D | {{USRaceRating|Safe|D}} | {{USRaceRating|Safe|D}} | {{USRaceRating|Safe|D}} | {{Party shading/Democratic}} data-sort-value="-67.0" | Clinton |
| North Dakota
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Kent Conrad | {{Party shading/Democratic}} | 61.4% D | {{USRaceRating|Safe|D}} | {{USRaceRating|Safe|D}} | {{USRaceRating|Safe|D}} | {{Party shading/Democratic}} data-sort-value="-68.8" | Conrad |
| Ohio
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | Mike DeWine | {{Party shading/Republican}} | 59.9% R | {{USRaceRating|Likely|D|Flip}} | {{USRaceRating|Likely|D|Flip}} | {{USRaceRating|Lean|D|Flip}} | {{Party shading/Democratic}} data-sort-value="-56.2" | Brown |
| Pennsylvania
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | Rick Santorum | {{Party shading/Republican}} | 52.4% R | {{USRaceRating|Safe|D|Flip}} | {{USRaceRating|Likely|D|Flip}} | {{USRaceRating|Lean|D|Flip}} | {{Party shading/Democratic}} data-sort-value="-58.7" | Casey |
| Rhode Island
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | Lincoln Chafee | {{Party shading/Republican}} | 56.8% R | {{USRaceRating|Lean|D|Flip}} | {{USRaceRating|Lean|D|Flip}} | {{USRaceRating|Tossup}} | {{Party shading/Democratic}} data-sort-value="-53.5" | Whitehouse |
| Tennessee
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | Bill Frist | {{Party shading/Republican}} | 65.1% R | {{USRaceRating|Lean|R}} | {{USRaceRating|Tossup}} | {{USRaceRating|Tossup}} | {{Party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value="50.7" | Corker |
| Texas
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | Kay Bailey Hutchison | {{Party shading/Republican}} | 65% R | {{USRaceRating|Safe|R}} | {{USRaceRating|Safe|R}} | {{USRaceRating|Safe|R}} | {{Party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value="61.7" | Hutchison |
| Utah
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | Orrin Hatch | {{Party shading/Republican}} | 65.6% R | {{USRaceRating|Safe|R}} | {{USRaceRating|Safe|R}} | {{USRaceRating|Safe|R}} | {{Party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value="62.6" | Hatch |
| Vermont
| {{Party shading/Independent (US)}} | Jim Jeffords | {{Party shading/Republican}} | 65.6% R{{efn|Jeffords switched to the Independent Party in 2001 caucused with the Democrats, last elected as a Republican.}} | style="background:{{party color|Independent (US)}}" |{{sort|098|Safe I}} | style="background:{{party color|Independent (US)}}" |{{sort|098|Safe I}} | style="background:{{party color|Independent}}" |{{sort|098|Likely I}} | {{Party shading/Independent (US)}} data-sort-value="65.4" | Sanders |
| Virginia
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | George Allen | {{Party shading/Republican}} | 52.3% R | {{USRaceRating|Tilt|D|Flip}} | {{USRaceRating|Lean|D|Flip}} | {{USRaceRating|Tossup}} | {{Party shading/Democratic}} data-sort-value="-49.6" | Webb |
| Washington
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Maria Cantwell | {{Party shading/Democratic}} | 48.7% D | {{USRaceRating|Likely|D}} | {{USRaceRating|Likely|D}} | {{USRaceRating|Likely|D}} | {{Party shading/Democratic}} data-sort-value="-56.8" | Cantwell |
| West Virginia
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Robert Byrd | {{Party shading/Democratic}} | 77.7% D | {{USRaceRating|Safe|D}} | {{USRaceRating|Safe|D}} | {{USRaceRating|Safe|D}} | {{Party shading/Democratic}} data-sort-value="-64.4" | Byrd |
| Wisconsin
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Herb Kohl | {{Party shading/Democratic}} | 61.5% D | {{USRaceRating|Safe|D}} | {{USRaceRating|Safe|D}} | {{USRaceRating|Safe|D}} | {{Party shading/Democratic}} data-sort-value="-67.3" | Kohl |
| Wyoming
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | Craig L. Thomas | {{Party shading/Republican}} | 73.7% R | {{USRaceRating|Safe|R}} | {{USRaceRating|Safe|R}} | {{USRaceRating|Safe|R}} | {{Party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value="70.0" | Thomas |
Race summary
= Special elections during the 109th Congress =
There were no special elections during the 109th Congress.
= Elections leading to the next Congress =
In these general elections, the winners were elected for the term beginning January 3, 2007; ordered by state.
All of the elections involved the Class 1 seats.
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| valign=bottom
! rowspan=2 | State ! colspan=3 | Incumbent ! rowspan=2 | Result ! rowspan=2 | Candidates |
| Senator
! Party ! Electoral history |
|---|
| Arizona
| {{sortname|Jon|Kyl}} | {{party shading/Republican}} | Republican | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | {{Plainlist |
}} |
| California
| {{sortname|Dianne|Feinstein}} | {{party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic | 1992 United States Senate special election in California | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | {{Plainlist |
}}{{collapsible list|title={{nobold|Others}} | {{Party stripe|American Independent Party}}Don Grundmann (American Independent) 1.8% | {{Party stripe|Green Party (US)}}Todd Chretien (Green) 1.7% | {{Party stripe|Libertarian Party (US)}}Michael Metti (Libertarian) 1.6% | {{Party stripe|Peace and Freedom Party (US)}}Marsha Feinland (Peace and Freedom) 1.3% }} |
| Connecticut
| {{sortname|Joe|Lieberman}} | {{party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic | {{Party shading/Independent Democrat}} | Incumbent lost renomination, but re-elected as an independent. | nowrap | {{Plainlist |
}}{{collapsible list|title={{nobold|Others}} | {{Party stripe|Green Party (US)}}Ralph Ferrucci (Green) 0.5% | {{Party stripe|Constitution Party (US)}}Timothy Knibbs (Concerned Citizens) 0.4% }} |
| Delaware
| {{sortname|Tom|Carper}} | {{party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic | 2000 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | {{Plainlist |
}} |
| Florida
| {{sortname|Bill|Nelson}} | {{party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic | 2000 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | {{Plainlist |
}}{{collapsible list|title={{nobold|Others}} | {{Party stripe|Independent (US)}}Belinda Noah (Independent) 0.5% | {{Party stripe|Green Party (US)}}Brian Moore (Green) 0.4% | {{Party stripe|Independent (US)}}Floyd Ray Frazier (Independent) 0.3% | {{Party stripe|Independent (US)}}Roy Tanner (Independent) 0.3% }} |
| Hawaii
| {{sortname|Daniel|Akaka}} | {{party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic | 1990 {{Small|(appointed)}} | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | {{Plainlist |
}} |
| Indiana
| {{sortname|Richard|Lugar}} | {{party shading/Republican}} | Republican | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | {{Plainlist |
}} |
| Maine
| {{sortname|Olympia|Snowe}} | {{party shading/Republican}} | Republican | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | {{Plainlist |
}} |
| Maryland
| {{sortname|Paul|Sarbanes}} | {{party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic | {{Party shading/Democratic/Hold}} | Incumbent retired. | nowrap | {{Plainlist |
}} |
| Massachusetts
| {{sortname|Ted|Kennedy}} | {{party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic | 1962 United States Senate special election in Massachusetts | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | {{Plainlist |
}} |
| Michigan
| {{sortname|Debbie|Stabenow}} | {{party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic | 2000 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | {{Plainlist |
}}{{collapsible list|title={{nobold|Others}} | {{Party stripe|Libertarian Party (US)}}Leonard Schwartz (Libertarian) 0.7% | {{Party stripe|Green Party (US)}}David Sole (Green) 0.6% | {{Party stripe|Constitution Party (US)}}W. Dennis FitzSimons (Constitution) 0.5% }} |
| Minnesota
| {{sortname|Mark|Dayton}} | {{party shading/Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor}} | DFL | 2000 | {{Party shading/Democratic/Hold}} | Incumbent retired. | nowrap | {{Plainlist |
}}{{collapsible list|title={{nobold|Others}} | {{Party stripe|Green Party (US)}}Michael Cavlan (Green) 0.5% | {{Party stripe|Constitution Party (US)}}Ben Powers (Constitution) 0.3% }} |
| Mississippi
| {{sortname|Trent|Lott}} | {{party shading/Republican}} | Republican | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | {{Plainlist |
}} |
| Missouri
| {{sortname|Jim|Talent}} | {{party shading/Republican}} | Republican | 2002 United States Senate special election in Missouri | {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Incumbent lost re-election. | nowrap | {{Plainlist |
}}{{collapsible list|title={{nobold|Others}} | {{Party stripe|Libertarian Party (US)}}Frank Gilmour (Libertarian) 1.2% | {{Party stripe|Green Party (US)}}Lydia Lewis (Green) 0.9% }} |
| Montana
| {{sortname|Conrad|Burns}} | {{party shading/Republican}} | Republican | {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Incumbent lost re-election. | nowrap | {{Plainlist |
}} |
| Nebraska
| {{sortname|Ben|Nelson}} | {{party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic | 2000 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | {{Plainlist |
}} |
| Nevada
| {{sortname|John|Ensign}} | {{party shading/Republican}} | Republican | 2000 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | {{Plainlist |
}}{{collapsible list|title={{nobold|Others}} | None of These Candidates 1.4% | {{Party stripe|Constitution Party (US)}}David Schumann (Constitution) 1.3% | {{Party stripe|Libertarian Party (US)}}Brendan Trainor (Libertarian) 0.9% }} |
| New Jersey
| {{sortname|Bob|Menendez}} | {{party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic | 2006 {{Small|(appointed)}} | Interim appointee elected. | nowrap | {{Plainlist |
}}{{collapsible list|title={{nobold|Others}} | {{Party stripe|Libertarian Party (US)}}Len Flynn (Libertarian) 0.7% | {{Party stripe|Marijuana Party (US)}}Ed Forchion (Marijuana) 0.5% | {{Party stripe|Independent (US)}}J. M. Carter (Independent) 0.4% | {{Party stripe|Independent (US)}}N. Leonard Smith (Independent) 0.3% | {{Party stripe|Independent (US)}}Daryl Brooks (Independent) 0.2% | {{Party stripe|Socialist Workers Party (US)}}Angela Lariscy (Socialist Workers) 0.2% | {{Party stripe|Socialist Party (US)}}Greg Pason (Socialist) 0.1% }} |
| New Mexico
| {{sortname|Jeff|Bingaman}} | {{party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | {{Plainlist |
}} |
| New York
| {{sortname|Hillary|Clinton}} | {{party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic | 2000 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | {{Plainlist |
}}{{collapsible list|title={{nobold|Others}} | {{Party stripe|Green Party (US)}}Howie Hawkins (Green) 1.2% | {{Party stripe|Libertarian Party (US)}}Jeff Russell (Libertarian) 0.4% | {{Party stripe|Socialist Party (US)}}Bill Van Auken (Socialist Equality) 0.2% | {{Party stripe|Socialist Workers Party (US)}}Róger Calero (Socialist Workers) 0.2% }} |
| North Dakota
| {{sortname|Kent|Conrad}} | {{party shading/North Dakota Democratic-NPL}} | Democratic-NPL | 1986 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | {{Plainlist |
}}{{collapsible list|title={{nobold|Others}} | {{Party stripe|Independent (US)}}Roland Riemers (Independent) 1.0% | {{Party stripe|Independent (US)}}James Germalic (Independent) 0.6% }} |
| Ohio
| {{sortname|Mike|DeWine}} | {{party shading/Republican}} | Republican | {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Incumbent lost re-election. | nowrap | {{Plainlist |
}} |
| Pennsylvania
| {{sortname|Rick|Santorum}} | {{party shading/Republican}} | Republican | {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Incumbent lost re-election. | nowrap | {{Plainlist |
}} |
| Rhode Island
| {{sortname|Lincoln|Chafee}} | {{party shading/Republican}} | Republican | 1999 {{Small|(appointed)}} | {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Incumbent lost re-election. | nowrap | {{Plainlist |
}} |
| Tennessee
| {{sortname|Bill|Frist}} | {{party shading/Republican}} | Republican | {{Party shading/Republican/Hold}} | Incumbent retired. | nowrap | {{Plainlist |
}}{{collapsible list|title={{nobold|Others}} | {{Party stripe|Independent (US)}}Ed Choate (Independent) 0.6% | {{Party stripe|Independent (US)}}David Gatchell (Independent) 0.2% | {{Party stripe|Independent (US)}}Emory "Bo" Heyward (Independent) 0.2% | {{Party stripe|Independent (US)}}H. Gary Keplinger (Independent) 0.2% | {{Party stripe|Green Party (US)}}Chris Lugo (Green) 0.1% }} |
| Texas
| {{sortname|Kay Bailey|Hutchison}} | {{party shading/Republican}} | Republican | 1993 United States Senate special election in Texas | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | {{Plainlist |
}} |
| Utah
| {{sortname|Orrin|Hatch}} | {{party shading/Republican}} | Republican | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | {{Plainlist |
}}{{collapsible list|title={{nobold|Others}} | {{Party stripe|Other}}Roger Price (Personal Choice) 1.6% | {{Party stripe|Libertarian Party (US)}}Dave Seely (Libertarian) 0.8% | {{Party stripe|Green Party (US)}}Julian Hatch (Green) 0.4% }} |
| Vermont
| {{sortname|Jim|Jeffords}} | {{party shading/Independent (US)}} | Independent | 1988{{efn|name=Jeffords|Senator Jim Jeffords was originally elected as a Republican in 1988 and was subsequently re-elected in 1994 and 2000.}} | {{Party shading/Hold}} | Incumbent retired. | nowrap | {{Plainlist |
}}{{collapsible list|title={{nobold|Others}} | {{Party stripe|Independent (US)}}Cris Ericson (Independent) 0.6% | {{Party stripe|Green Party (US)}}Craig Hill (Green) 0.5% | {{Party stripe|Independent (US)}}Peter Moss (Independent) 0.5% | {{Party stripe|Liberty Union Party}}Peter Diamondstone (Liberty Union) 0.3% }} |
| Virginia
| {{sortname|George|Allen|dab=American politician}} | {{party shading/Republican}} | Republican | 2000 | {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Incumbent lost re-election. | nowrap | {{Plainlist |
}} |
| Washington
| {{sortname|Maria|Cantwell}} | {{party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic | 2000 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | {{Plainlist |
}}{{collapsible list|title={{nobold|Others}} | {{Party stripe|Libertarian Party (US)}}Bruce Guthrie (Libertarian) 1.4% | {{Party stripe|Green Party (US)}}Aaron Dixon (Green) 1.0% | {{Party stripe|Independent (US)}}Robin Adair (Independent) 0.8% }} |
| West Virginia
| {{sortname|Robert|Byrd}} | {{party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic | 1958 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | {{Plainlist |
}} |
| Wisconsin
| {{sortname|Herb|Kohl}} | {{party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | {{Plainlist |
}}{{collapsible list|title={{nobold|Others}} | {{Party stripe|Green Party (US)}}Rae Vogeler (Green) 2.0% | {{Party stripe|Independent (US)}}Ben Glatzel (Independent) 1.2% }} |
| Wyoming
| {{sortname|Craig L.|Thomas}} | {{party shading/Republican}} | Republican | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | {{Plainlist |
}} |
Closest races
In eight races the margin of victory was under 10%.
| class="wikitable sortable"
! District ! Winner ! Margin |
| Virginia
| data-sort-value=-1 {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic (flip) | 0.4%{{efn | Virginia was the "tipping point" state.}} |
| Montana
| data-sort-value=-1 {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic (flip) | 0.9% |
| Missouri
| data-sort-value=-1 {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic (flip) | 2.3% |
| Tennessee
| data-sort-value=0.5 {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican | 2.7% |
| Rhode Island
| data-sort-value=-1 {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic (flip) | 7.0% |
| New Jersey
| data-sort-value=-1 {{Party shading/Democratic}}| Democratic | 9.0% |
| Arizona
| data-sort-value=0.5 {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican | 9.8% |
| Connecticut
| data-sort-value-1 {{Party shading/Independent}} | Independent (flip) | 9.9% |
Gains and losses
[[File:110th US Congress Senate.svg|thumb|375px|Senate composition following the 2006 elections
{{legend|#0044aa|2 Democrats}}
{{legend|#aa0000|2 Republicans}}
{{legend|#660080|1 Democrat and 1 Republican}}
{{colorsample|#87aade}}{{colorsample|#3771c8}}1 Democrat and 1 Independent]]
=Retirements=
Two Democrats, one Republican, and one Independent retired rather than seek re-election.
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" |
| scope="col" |State
! scope="col" |Senator ! scope="col" |Replaced by |
|---|
| Maryland
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | {{sortname|Paul|Sarbanes}} | {{Party shading/Democratic}} | {{sortname|Ben|Cardin}} |
| Minnesota
| {{Party shading/DFL}} | {{sortname|Mark|Dayton}} | {{Party shading/DFL}} | {{sortname|Amy|Klobuchar}} |
| Tennessee
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | {{sortname|Bill|Frist}} | {{Party shading/Republican}} | {{sortname|Bob|Corker}} |
| Vermont
| {{Party shading/Independent (US)}} | {{sortname|Jim|Jeffords}} | {{Party shading/Independent (US)}} | {{sortname|Bernie|Sanders}} |
=Defeats=
Six Republicans and one Democrat sought re-election but lost in the primary or general election.
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" |
| scope="col" |State
! scope="col" |Senator ! scope="col" |Replaced by |
|---|
| Connecticut
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | {{sortname|Joe|Lieberman}} | {{Party shading/Independent (US)}} | {{sortname|Joe|Lieberman}} |
| Missouri
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | {{sortname|Jim|Talent}} | {{Party shading/Democratic}} | {{sortname|Claire|McCaskill}} |
| Montana
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | {{sortname|Conrad|Burns}} | {{Party shading/Democratic}} | {{sortname|Jon|Tester}} |
| Ohio
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | {{sortname|Mike|DeWine}} | {{Party shading/Democratic}} | {{sortname|Sherrod|Brown}} |
| Pennsylvania
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | {{sortname|Rick|Santorum}} | {{Party shading/Democratic}} | {{sortname|Bob|Casey Jr.}} |
| Rhode Island
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | {{sortname|Lincoln|Chafee}} | {{Party shading/Democratic}} | {{sortname|Sheldon|Whitehouse}} |
| Virginia
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | {{sortname|George|Allen|George Allen (American politician)}} | {{Party shading/Democratic}} | {{sortname|Jim|Webb}} |
=Post-election changes=
One Republican died on June 4, 2007, and was replaced by a Republican appointee on June 22, 2007. One other Republican resigned on December 18, 2007, and was replaced by a Republican appointee on December 31, 2007.
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" |
| scope="col" |State
! scope="col" |Senator ! scope="col" |Replaced by |
|---|
| Mississippi (Class 1) | {{Party shading/Republican}} | {{sortname|Trent|Lott}} | {{Party shading/Republican}} | {{sortname|Roger|Wicker}} |
| Wyoming (Class 1) | {{Party shading/Republican}} | {{sortname|Craig L.|Thomas}} | {{Party shading/Republican}} | {{sortname|John|Barrasso}} |
Arizona
{{Infobox election
| election_name = Arizona election
| country = Arizona
| type = presidential
| ongoing = no
| previous_election = 2000 United States Senate election in Arizona
| previous_year = 2000
| next_election = 2012 United States Senate election in Arizona
| next_year = 2012
| election_date =
| image_size = 125x136px
| image1 = Jon Kyl, official 109th Congress photo.jpg
| nominee1 = Jon Kyl
| party1 = Republican Party (United States)
| popular_vote1 = 814,398
| percentage1 = 53.3%
| image2 = No image.svg
| nominee2 = Jim Pederson
| party2 = Democratic Party (United States)
| popular_vote2 = 664,141
| percentage2 = 43.5%
| map_image = 2006 United States Senate election in Arizona results map by county.svg
| map_size = 210px
| map_caption = County results
Kyl: {{legend0|#e27f7f|50–60%}} {{legend0|#d75d5d|60–70%}}
Pederson: {{legend0|#7996e2|50–60%}} {{legend0|#6674de|60–70%}}
| title = U.S. Senator
| before_election = Jon Kyl
| before_party = Republican Party (United States)
| after_election = Jon Kyl
| after_party = Republican Party (United States)
}}
{{Main|2006 United States Senate election in Arizona}}
{{See also|List of United States senators from Arizona}}
Incumbent Republican Jon Kyl won re-election to a third term over Democrat Jim Pederson, real estate developer and former chairman of the Arizona Democratic Party.
{{Election box begin no change
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Jon Kyl (Incumbent)
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 297,636
| percentage = 99.5%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Write-ins
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 155
| percentage = 0.05%
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 297,791
| percentage = 100.00%
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin no change
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Jim Pederson
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes = 214,455
| percentage = 100.00%
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 214,455
| percentage = 100.00%
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin no change
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Richard Mack
| party = Libertarian Party (United States)
| votes = 3,311
| percentage = 100.00%
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 3,311
| percentage = 100.00%
}}
{{Election box end}}
The incumbent, Republican Jon Kyl, was elected to the Senate in 1994 and was re-elected to a second term in 2000; having previously spent eight years in the U.S. House of Representatives. Kyl's Democratic opponent for the general election was wealthy real-estate developer Jim Pederson, who served as the Arizona Democratic Party Chairman from 2001 to 2005. During his tenure, Pederson spent millions of dollars of his own money to help Democrats modernize and to elect Janet Napolitano as Governor of Arizona. The deadline for signing petition signatures to appear on the September 12, 2006, primary ballot was June 14, 2006.
Not long after the 2004 election, Pederson's name began being mentioned as a potential Senate candidate for the 2006 race. On July 28, 2005, Pederson formally stepped down as Chairman of the Arizona Democratic Party, further fueling those speculations. In early September 2005, an e-mail was sent from the Arizona Democratic Party's website, inviting people to an announcement by Pederson on September 7. In an anticlimactic move, an e-mail was sent out shortly after the first saying that the announcement would be postponed due to Hurricane Katrina. It was requested that any money that would be donated to Pederson's campaign at the announcement be directed to relief efforts instead. Similarly, a meeting in Arizona of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) was scheduled for around the same time. It was also postponed and the same request was made involving donations. On September 7, 2005, Pederson filed to run for the U.S. Senate. On September 14, 2005, Pederson formally announced his intention to run, in his hometown of Casa Grande, Arizona.
Although Kyl started the campaign with a sizable lead in most polls, the gap quickly narrowed, especially after Pederson released his array of ads.
Pederson lost the election by 9.84% or 150,257 votes, despite Democratic Incumbent Governor Janet Napolitano easily being re-elected and winning every county statewide. While Pederson lost it was still notable, as it was the worst performance of Senator Kyl's career. Kyl did well as Republicans usually do in Maricopa County home of Phoenix. Pederson did well in Pima County home of Tucson which tends to support Democrats. Kyl was called the winner by CNN at around 8 P.M. local time, 11 P.M. EST. Pederson called Senator Kyl and conceded defeat at 9:02 p.m. local time, 12:02 A.M. EST.
{{Election box begin
| title = Arizona general election{{cite web|url=http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/2006/2006Stat.htm#3|title=2006 Election Statistics|website=clerk.house.gov|access-date=December 20, 2017}}}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = Jon Kyl (Incumbent)
| votes = 814,398
| percentage = 53.34%
| change = -25.98%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| candidate = Jim Pederson
| votes = 664,141
| percentage = 43.50%
| change = +43.50%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Libertarian Party (United States)
| candidate = Richard Mack
| votes = 48,231
| percentage = 3.16%
| change = -1.90%
}}
{{Election box candidate
| party = Write-ins
| candidate =
| votes =13
| percentage = 0.00%
| change =
}}
{{Election box majority
| votes = 150,257
| percentage = 9.84%
| change = 61.66%
}}
{{Election box turnout
| votes = 1,526,782
| percentage =
| change =
}}
{{Election box hold with party link
| winner = Republican Party (United States)
| swing =
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Clear}}
California
{{Infobox election
| election_name = California election
| country = California
| type = presidential
| ongoing = no
| previous_election = 2000 United States Senate election in California
| previous_year = 2000
| next_election = 2012 United States Senate election in California
| next_year = 2012
| election_date =
| image_size = 125x136px
| image1 = DianneFeinstein.jpg
| nominee1 = Dianne Feinstein
| party1 = Democratic Party (United States)
| popular_vote1 = 5,076,289
| percentage1 = 59.43%
| image2 = Dick Mountjoy.jpg
| nominee2 = Dick Mountjoy
| party2 = Republican Party (United States)
| popular_vote2 = 2,990,822
| percentage2 = 35.02%
| map_image = 2006 United States Senate election in California results map by county.svg
| map_size = 250px
| map_caption = County results
Feinstein: {{legend0|#a5b0ff|40–50%}} {{legend0|#7996e2|50–60%}} {{legend0|#6674de|60–70%}} {{legend0|#584cde|70–80%}} {{legend0|#3933e5|80–90%}}
Mountjoy: {{legend0|#ffb2b2|40–50%}} {{legend0|#e27f7f|50–60%}}
| title = U.S. Senator
| before_election = Dianne Feinstein
| before_party = Democratic Party (United States)
| after_election = Dianne Feinstein
| after_party = Democratic Party (United States)
}}
{{Main|2006 United States Senate election in California}}
{{See also|List of United States senators from California}}
Incumbent Democrat Dianne Feinstein won re-election to her third full term.
The Republican candidate was Dick Mountjoy, who had never held a statewide elected position, but had been a state senator for several years. Also running was Libertarian Michael Metti, Don Grundmann of the American Independent Party, Todd Chretien of the Green Party and Marsha Feinland of the Peace and Freedom Party.
Because California is a state that requires a large amount of money to wage a competitive statewide campaign, it is not unusual - as was the case for this race - for a popular incumbent to have no significant opponent. Several prominent Republicans, such as Bill Jones, Matt Fong, and others, declined to run, and a previous announced challenger, businessman Bill Mundell, withdrew his declaration after determining he would not be a self-funded candidate (like Michael Huffington was in the 1994 election).
{{Election box begin no party no change
| title = Democratic primary}}
{{Election box winning candidate no party no change
| candidate = Dianne Feinstein (Incumbent)
| votes = 2,176,888
| percentage = 86.95%
}}
{{Election box candidate no party no change
| candidate = Colleen Fernald
| votes = 199,180
| percentage = 7.96%
}}
{{Election box candidate no party no change
| candidate = Martin Luther Church
| votes = 127,301
| percentage = 5.09%
}}
{{Election box total no party no change
| votes = 2,503,369
| percentage = 100.00%
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin no party no change
| title = Green primary}}
{{Election box winning candidate no party no change
| candidate = Todd Chretien
| votes = 12,821
| percentage = 46.14%
}}
{{Election box candidate no party no change
| candidate = Tian Harter
| votes = 10,318
| percentage = 37.13%
}}
{{Election box candidate no party no change
| candidate = Kent Mesplay
| votes = 4,649
| percentage = 16.73%
}}
{{Election box total no party no change
| votes = 27,788
| percentage = 100.00%
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin no change
| title = Other primaries}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| party = California Republican Party
| candidate = Dick Mountjoy
| votes = 1,560,472
| percentage = 100.00%
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| party = American Independent Party
| candidate = Don J. Grundmann
| votes = 30,787
| percentage = 100.00%
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| party = Libertarian Party (California)
| candidate = Michael S. Metti
| votes = 16,742
| percentage = 100.00%
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| party = Peace and Freedom Party (United States)
| candidate = Marsha Feinland
| votes = 4,109
| percentage = 100.00%
}}
{{Election box end}}
On September 22, the Los Angeles Times reported that Mountjoy's official biography, as found on his campaign website, falsely asserted that he had served aboard the battleship USS Missouri during the Korean War—he'd actually served aboard the heavy cruiser USS Bremerton. A review of the ships' logs corroborated this and the website was quickly changed to reflect his service aboard the Bremerton rather than the Missouri. Mountjoy denied having been responsible for adding the incorrect information{{cite web | url = https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna14955566 | title = Senate candidate admits wrong info on bio | work = NBC News | date = September 22, 2006 | access-date = November 9, 2006}}
Feinstein won the election easily. Feinstein won almost every major urban area, winning in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Sacramento, and San Diego. Feinstein was projected the winner as the polls closed at 11 p.m. EST.
{{Election box begin no change
| title = 2006 United States Senate election in California{{cite web | url = http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/sov/2006_general/us_senate.pdf | title = United States Senate | access-date = July 14, 2008 | date = December 16, 2006 | publisher = Secretary of State of California | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080717043245/http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/sov/2006_general/us_senate.pdf | archive-date = July 17, 2008 | url-status = dead | df = mdy-all }}{{cite web | url = http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/sov/2006_general/reg.pdf | title = Registration and Participation | access-date = July 14, 2008 | date = December 18, 2006 | publisher = Secretary of State of California | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080717043347/http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/sov/2006_general/reg.pdf | archive-date = July 17, 2008 | url-status = dead | df = mdy-all }}}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| candidate = Dianne Feinstein (incumbent)
| votes = 5,076,289
| percentage = 59.43%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = Dick Mountjoy
| votes = 2,990,822
| percentage = 35.02%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party = Green Party (United States)
| candidate = Todd Chretien
| votes = 147,074
| percentage = 1.72%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party = Libertarian Party (United States)
| candidate = Michael S. Metti
| votes = 133,851
| percentage = 1.57%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party = Peace and Freedom Party
| candidate = Marsha Feinland
| votes = 117,764
| percentage = 1.38%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party = American Independent Party
| candidate = Don Grundmann
| votes = 75,350
| percentage = 0.88%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party = Green Party (United States)
| candidate = Kent Mesplay (write-in)
| votes = 160
| percentage = 0.00%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party = Independent
| candidate = Jeffrey Mackler (write-in)
| votes = 108
| percentage = 0.00%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party = Independent
| candidate = Lea Sherman (write-in)
| votes = 47
| percentage = 0.00%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party = Independent
| candidate = Connor Vlakancic (write-in)
| votes = 11
| percentage = 0.00%
}}
{{Election box invalid no change
| votes = 357,583
| percentage = 4.19%
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 8,899,059
| percentage = 100.00%
}}
{{Election box turnout no change
| percentage = 53.93%
}}
{{Election box hold with party link without swing
| winner = Democratic Party (United States)
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Clear}}
Connecticut
{{Infobox election
| election_name = Connecticut election
| country = Connecticut
| type = presidential
| ongoing = no
| previous_election = 2000 United States Senate election in Connecticut
| previous_year = 2000
| next_election = 2012 United States Senate election in Connecticut
| next_year = 2012
| election_date =
| image_size = 125x136px
| image1 = Joe Lieberman official portrait 2 (cropped).jpg
| nominee1 = Joe Lieberman
| party1 = Connecticut for Lieberman
| popular_vote1 = 564,095
| percentage1 = 49.7%
| image2 = Ned Lamont in 2006 (cropped).jpg
| nominee2 = Ned Lamont
| party2 = Democratic Party (United States)
| popular_vote2 = 450,844
| percentage2 = 39.7%
| image3 = AlanSchlesinger2006.jpg
| nominee3 = Alan Schlesinger
| party3 = Republican Party (United States)
| popular_vote3 = 109,198
| percentage3 = 9.6%
| map = {{switcher|220px
|County results
|Municipality results}}
| map_caption = Lieberman: {{legend0|#D1C554|40–50%}} {{legend0|#BAB24A|50–60%}} {{legend0|#918B3A|60–70%}}
Lamont: {{legend0|#A5B0FF|40–50%}} {{legend0|#7996E2|50–60%}} {{legend0|#6674DE|60–70%}}
| title = U.S. Senator
| before_election = Joe Lieberman
| before_party = Democratic Party (United States)
| after_election = Joe Lieberman
| after_party = Connecticut for Lieberman
}}
{{Main|2006 United States Senate election in Connecticut}}
{{See also|List of United States senators from Connecticut}}
Incumbent Democrat Joe Lieberman lost the August 8 Democratic primary to cable executive Ned Lamont, a former Greenwich selectman. Lieberman formed his own third party and won in the general election to a fourth term.
Because Connecticut was believed to be a Democratic stronghold, Connecticut's Senate seat was considered safe to remain as a Democratic seat by political analysts,[http://www.cqpolitics.com/risk_rating_senate.html CQPolitics] {{webarchive | url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071012234612/http://www.cqpolitics.com/risk_rating_senate.html | date = October 12, 2007 }}{{Cite web|url=http://centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/article.php?id=DNW2006081001|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090808073519/http://centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/article.php?id=DNW2006081001|url-status=dead|title=Sabato's Crystal Ball|archivedate=August 8, 2009}} but Lieberman's continued support for conservative and Bush administration policies made him vulnerable to a Democratic primary challenger. Lieberman's critics objected to what they call Lieberman's lack of commitment to the Democratic party;{{cite news | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/04/nyregion/04lieberman.html?ex=1309665600&en=b7084acf5ed65d2e&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss | work = The New York Times | title = Lieberman Plans Independent Bid if Primary Fails | first = William | last = Yardley | date = July 4, 2006 | access-date = May 27, 2010}} his opposition to affirmative action;{{cite news | url = https://www.nytimes.com/library/politics/camp/080800wh-lieberman-record.html | work = The New York Times | date = August 8, 2000 | access-date = May 27, 2010 | title = Senator Often Stands to Right of His Party}} his opposition to a Connecticut state law that would require Catholic hospitals to provide emergency contraception to rape victims;{{Cite web|url=http://www.yaledailynews.com/Article.aspx?ArticleID=32333|title=Yale Daily News - Activists clash over proposed 'Plan B' bill}} his membership in the bipartisan Gang of 14;[http://www.connecticutchoicevoice.com/ connecticutchoicevoice.com] {{webarchive | url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160305053505/http://www.connecticutchoicevoice.com/ | date = March 5, 2016 }} his support of Florida governor Jeb Bush in the Terri Schiavo case;{{Cite web|url=http://www.floridabaptistwitness.com/1712.article|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20040228201201/http://www.floridabaptistwitness.com/1712.article|url-status=dead|title=Florida Baptist Witness: Publishing Good News since 1884|archivedate=February 28, 2004}} his initial willingness to compromise on Social Security privatization;{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/07/politics/07lieberman.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120908224243/http://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/07/politics/07lieberman.html?_r=1&ex=1267938000&en=9c4ea5f10f7a9786&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland%2F|url-status=dead|title=On Social Security, Lieberman the Centrist Ruffles Democratic Feathers on the Left|date=March 7, 2005|archive-date=September 8, 2012|website=The New York Times|access-date=December 20, 2017}} his alliances with Republicans;{{Cite web|url=http://www.swingstateproject.com/2006/06/ctsen_lieberman_3.php|title=Swing State Project}}{{Dead link|date=August 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} and his attacks on other Democrats.{{cite news | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/06/20/AR2006062001439.html | newspaper = The Washington Post | title = Lieberman Vs. the Democrats | first = Harold | last = Meyerson | date = June 21, 2006 | access-date = May 27, 2010}}{{cite news | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A5138-2001Jul16.html | newspaper = The Washington Post | title = Democrats Criticize Their Own -- and Bush | date = July 17, 2001 | access-date = May 27, 2010}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.nebraskademocrats.org/blog/59/what-lieberman-can-learn-from-ben-nelson|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309040324/http://www.nebraskademocrats.org/blog/59/what-lieberman-can-learn-from-ben-nelson|url-status=dead|title=Nebraska Democratic Party: What Lieberman Can Learn From Ben Nelson|archivedate=March 9, 2016}}
On March 13, 2006, Ned Lamont announced his candidacy for the Democratic nomination. Lamont was more liberal than Lieberman, but he was not immune from criticism from within his own party. The New Republic senior editor and "liberal hawk" Jonathan Chait criticized Lamont's supporters by comparing them to activists who he felt "tore the party apart" in the 1960s and 70s.{{cite news | url = https://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-chait7may07,0,3857801.column?coll=la-news-comment-opinions | title = Don't let the left defeat Lieberman | last = Chait | first = Jonathan | date = May 7, 2006 | newspaper = Los Angeles Times | access-date = September 26, 2008 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060707235336/http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-chait7may07,0,3857801.column?coll=la-news-comment-opinions | archive-date = July 7, 2006 }}
Early polling showed Lieberman with as much as a 46-point lead,{{cite web | url = http://www.quinnipiac.edu/x11385.xml?ReleaseID=909 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090806025029/http://www.quinnipiac.edu/x11385.xml?ReleaseID=909 | url-status = dead | archive-date = August 6, 2009 | title = Rell Flying High In Connecticut Gov Race, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; Anti-Bush, Anti-War Feeling Does Not Hurt Lieberman | publisher = Quinnipiac University | date = May 2, 2006 | access-date = August 25, 2006 }} but subsequent polls showed Lamont gaining until Lamont took the lead just weeks before the primary.{{cite web | url = http://www.quinnipiac.edu/x11385.xml?ReleaseID=940 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090803062758/http://www.quinnipiac.edu/x11385.xml?ReleaseID=940 | url-status = dead | archive-date = August 3, 2009 | title = Lamont Inches Ahead Of Lieberman In Dem Primary, Quinnipiac University Connecticut Poll Finds; Incumbent Still Leads In 3-Way November Matchup | publisher = Quinnipiac University | date = July 20, 2006 | access-date = August 25, 2006 }} A controversy about a "kiss" Lieberman supposedly received from President Bush during the 2005 State of the Union address highlighted concerns that the senator was too close to the unpopular president to be a credible Democratic nominee."[https://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/16/washington/16lieberman.html Lieberman Hopes His Fate Isn't Sealed With a Kiss]." The New York Times. July 16, 2006. Retrieved 2017-05-18. Lieberman released several campaign advertisements over the summer of 2006, seeking to connect himself to former President Bill Clinton and to portray Lamont as standing for little more than opposition to Lieberman. Lamont struck back against some of Lieberman's more negative ads with an advertisement produced by well-known political consultant Bill Hillsman. In Lamont's ad, a foreboding narrator says, "Meet Ned Lamont. He can't make a decent cup of coffee, he's a bad karaoke singer, and he has a messy desk." Lamont then chimes in, "Aren't you sick of political attack ads that insult your intelligence? Senator Lieberman, let's stick to issues and pledge to support whoever wins the Democratic primary."{{Cite news |last=Stanley |first=Alessandra |date=2006-10-29 |title=Scary, Like Funny Scary |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/29/weekinreview/scary-like-funny-scary.html |access-date=2024-06-01 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}
From midmorning August 7 to well past August 9, Lieberman's official campaign site was taken offline; officials from Lieberman's campaign claimed, "dirty politics" and "Rovian tactics" on the part of Lamont's supporters, and more specifically, a sustained Distributed Denial of Service attack that, according to the Lieberman campaign, had left the site down for several days.{{cite news | url = http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/08/08/lieberman.website/ | title = Lieberman blames Rove-like tactics for Web site disruption | last = Yoon | first = Robert | date = August 8, 2006 | publisher = CNN.com | access-date = September 26, 2008}}
Tim Tagaris, Lamont's Internet communications director, denied the charge and attributed the downtime to the fact that the Lieberman campaign had chosen an inferior web host, or ISP, and was only paying $15/month to operate its site (in comparison to the $1500/month being spent by the Lamont campaign).{{Cite web|url=http://www.courant.com/news/local/hc-blog0809.artaug09,0,3246904.story?coll=hc-headlines-local|title=Topic Galleries - Courant.com}}{{Dead link|date=August 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}"[http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2006/8/8/181016/9275 Daily Kos: CT-Sen: Here is the filing for web hosting] {{webarchive | url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160303190234/http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2006/8/8/181016/9275 | date = March 3, 2016 }}". Dailykos.com.{{Cite web|url=http://www.wonkette.com/politics/top/lieberman-campaigns-website-woes-own-damn-fault-192917.php|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080828002951/http://www.wonkette.com/politics/top/lieberman-campaigns-website-woes-own-damn-fault-192917.php|url-status=dead|title=Joe Lieberman: Lieberman Campaign's Website Woes Own Damn Fault|archivedate=August 28, 2008}} On December 20, 2006, a joint investigation by Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal's office and the U.S. attorney's office cleared the Lamont campaign of the hacking accusations. A spokesman for Kevin O'Connor, the U.S. Attorney for Connecticut, stated, "The investigation has revealed no evidence the problems the Web site experienced were the result of criminal conduct."{{cite web | url = http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/local/scn-sa-hackers2dec20,0,2766414.story?coll%3Dstam-news-local-headlines | title = HOME - the Advocate | access-date = April 21, 2009 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090328191703/http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/local/scn-sa-hackers2dec20,0,2766414.story?coll=stam-news-local-headlines | archive-date = March 28, 2009 | df = mdy-all }}
Lamont won the primary with 51.79% of the vote, as opposed to Lieberman's 48.21%.{{cite news | url = http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/files/elections/2006/by_state/CT_Page_0808.html?SITE=CTHARELN&SECTION=POLITICS | title = Connecticut primary results | newspaper = Hartford Courant | date = August 10, 2006 | access-date = August 25, 2006}} However, in his concession speech, Lieberman announced that he would stand by his prior statements that he'd run as an independent if he lost the Democratic primary.{{cite news | url = http://www.wfsb.com/politics/9651206/detail.html | title = Joe Lieberman's Concession Speech | publisher = WFSB | date = August 9, 2006 | access-date = August 25, 2006 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070927010618/http://www.wfsb.com/politics/9651206/detail.html | archive-date = September 27, 2007 | url-status = dead | df = mdy-all }}
In the Republican Party primary, Alan Schlesinger drew fire in July when it was revealed that he had been gambling under an alias in order to avoid detection as a card counter. Despite calls to withdraw from the race, Schlesinger remained in the race,{{cite news | url=https://www.boston.com/news/local/connecticut/articles/2006/07/13/gop_leaders_urge_schlesinger_to_reconsider_senate_candidacy/ | title=Republican U.S. Senate candidate says he won't step aside | newspaper=The Boston Globe | author=Susan Haigh |date=July 13, 2006 |access-date=November 9, 2006}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}} ultimately becoming the Republican nominee when no other Republican challengers entered the race.
{{Election box begin no change
| title = Democratic Primary
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Ned Lamont
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes = 146,587
| percentage = 51.8%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Joseph Lieberman (Incumbent)
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes = 136,468
| percentage = 48.2%
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 283,055
| percentage = 100.0%
}}
{{Election box end}}
File:Joe Lieberman July 2006.jpg
On June 12, Ned Lamont began running radio ads promising if he lost the primary to endorse Lieberman, challenging Lieberman to abandon consideration of an independent run by making a similar pledge. Lieberman refused to make this pledge; his campaign manager, Sean Smith said, "Are we going to support Ned Lamont? Ah, no!"{{cite web | url = http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/6/13/10198/0376 | title = Lieberman Rebuffs Lamont Challenge - Will Not Support if Lamont Wins | date = June 13, 2006 | access-date = November 9, 2006}}
On July 3 in Hartford, Lieberman announced that he would collect signatures in order to guarantee himself a position on the November ballot. Both Lieberman and Smith said that Lieberman will run as a "petitioning Democrat" and would caucus with Senate Democrats if elected.{{cite news | url = http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/07/03/lieberman/index.html | title = Lieberman to run regardless of primary results | date = July 3, 2006 | access-date = November 9, 2006 | work = CNN.com}} On July 10, the Lieberman campaign officially filed paperwork allowing him to collect signatures to form a new political party, the Connecticut for Lieberman party.{{cite news | title = Lieberman campaign files forms to run as petitioning candidate | agency = Associated Press | first = Susan | last = Haigh | date = July 10, 2006 | id = Accessed November 9, 2006}}
Upon Lieberman's announcement, independent polls continued to show him favored to win a plurality or outright majority of the vote in a three-way general election (see below). The petition issue led to charges against the Lieberman campaign of political opportunism and lack of respect for the political process.{{cite news | url = http://www.journalinquirer.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=16800389&BRD=985&PAG=461&dept_id=565859&rfi=6 | title = Democracy an insult to those who live only for power | date = June 16, 2006 | access-date = November 9, 2006 | work = Journal Inquirer | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060622050527/http://www.journalinquirer.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=16800389&BRD=985&PAG=461&dept_id=565859&rfi=6 | archive-date = June 22, 2006 }} Lieberman received strong support from many prominent conservative pundits and publications. "[H]is most vocal support came from places like The Weekly Standard, National Review, and Commentary Magazine; Sean Hannity, Bill Kristol and right-wing radio hosts cheered for his victory."Greenwald, Glenn (January 21, 2011) [http://www.salon.com/news/opinion/glenn_greenwald/2011/01/21/lieberman/index.html Bipartisan praise for Joe Lieberman] {{webarchive | url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110121201503/http://www.salon.com/news/opinion/glenn_greenwald/2011/01/21/lieberman/index.html | date = January 21, 2011 }}, Salon.com Thus, "Lieberman was able to run in the general election as the de facto Republican candidate — every major Republican office-holder in the state endorsed him — and to supplement that GOP base with strong support from independents."Kornacki, Steve (January 24, 2011) [http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2011/01/24/lieberman_hutchison_retire/index.html The most cowardly act of a retiring politician] {{webarchive | url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110629103650/http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2011/01/24/lieberman_hutchison_retire/index.html | date = June 29, 2011 }}, Salon.com
On August 9, Democratic Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid and DSCC Chair Chuck Schumer issued the following joint statement on the Connecticut Senate race:
{{blockquote|The Democratic voters of Connecticut have spoken and chosen Ned Lamont as their nominee. Both we and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) fully support Mr. Lamont's candidacy. Congratulations to Ned on his victory and on a race well run. Joe Lieberman has been an effective Democratic Senator for Connecticut and for America. But the perception was that he was too close to George Bush and this election was, in many respects, a referendum on the President more than anything else. The results bode well for Democratic victories in November and our efforts to take the country in a new direction.{{cite news | url = http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/08/09/democratic.primaries/index.html | title = Democratic leadership quickly backs Lamont | date = August 9, 2006 | access-date = October 31, 2006 | publisher = CNN | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060831171910/http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/08/09/democratic.primaries/index.html | archive-date = August 31, 2006 }}}}
According to The Hill, a Democratic aide to a high-ranking senator commented that Lieberman might be stripped of his Democratic privileges in the Senate. "At this point Lieberman cannot expect to just keep his seniority," said the aide. "He can't run against a Democrat and expect to waltz back to the caucus with the same seniority as before. It would give the view that the Senate is a country club rather than representative of a political party and political movement."{{cite news | url = http://hill1.thehill.com/thehill/opencms/TheHill/News/Frontpage/081606/news1.html | title = Dem angst escalates | last = Bolton | first = Alexander | work = The Hill | date = August 16, 2006 | access-date = October 31, 2006 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060823154742/http://hill1.thehill.com/thehill/opencms/TheHill/News/Frontpage/081606/news1.html | archive-date = August 23, 2006 | url-status = dead | df = mdy-all }}
Lieberman won with approximately 50% of the vote, and served a six-year term from January 3, 2007, to January 3, 2013. Exit polls showed that Lieberman won the vote of 33% of Democrats, 54% of independents and 70% of Republicans.{{cite news | url = http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2006/pages/results/states/CT/S/01/epolls.0.html | work = CNN | title = CNN.com - Elections 2006 | access-date = May 27, 2010}} Lieberman won every county in the November general election.{{Cite web |url=http://www.uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/datagraph.php?year=2006&fips=9&f=0&off=3&elect=0 |title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections - Data Graphs |access-date=November 28, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160805052826/http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/datagraph.php?year=2006&fips=9&f=0&off=3&elect=0 |archive-date=August 5, 2016 |url-status=dead }}
{{Election box begin no change
| title = 2006 United States Senate election, Connecticut{{cite web|url=http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/2006/2006Stat.htm#7|title=2006 Election Statistics|website=clerk.house.gov|access-date=December 20, 2017}}}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| party = Connecticut for Lieberman
| candidate = Joe Lieberman (incumbent)
| votes = 564,095
| percentage = 49.7%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| candidate = Ned Lamont
| votes = 450,844
| percentage = 39.7%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = Alan Schlesinger
| votes = 109,198
| percentage = 9.6%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party = Green Party (United States)
| candidate = Ralph Ferrucci
| votes = 5,922
| percentage = 0.6%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party = Concerned Citizens Party
| candidate = Timothy Knibbs
| votes = 4,638
| percentage = 0.4%
}}
{{Election box candidate no change|
| party = Write-in
| candidate = Carl E. Vassar
| votes = 80
| percentage = 0.0%
}}
{{Election box majority no change
| votes = 113,251
| percentage = 10.0%
}}
{{Election box turnout no change
| votes = 1,134,777
| percentage =
}}
{{Election box gain with party link no change
| winner = Connecticut for Lieberman
| loser = Democratic Party (United States)
| swing =
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Clear}}
Delaware
{{Infobox election
| election_name = Delaware election
| country = Delaware
| type = presidential
| ongoing = no
| previous_election = 2000 United States Senate election in Delaware
| previous_year = 2000
| next_election = 2012 United States Senate election in Delaware
| next_year = 2012
| election_date =
| image_size = 125x136px
| image1 = Thomas Carper.jpg
| nominee1 = Tom Carper
| party1 = Democratic Party (United States)
| popular_vote1 = 170,567
| percentage1 = 67.1%
| image2 = Jan C Ting.jpg
| nominee2 = Jan Ting
| party2 = Republican Party (United States)
| popular_vote2 = 69,744
| percentage2 = 27.4%
| map_image = Delaware_Senate-Governor_Election_Results_by_County,_2006.svg
| map_size = 200px
| map_caption = County results
Carper: {{legend0|#7996e2|50–60%}} {{legend0|#6674de|60–70%}} {{legend0|#584cde|70–80%}}
| title = U.S. Senator
| before_election = Thomas Carper
| before_party = Democratic Party (United States)
| after_election = Thomas Carper
| after_party = Democratic Party (United States)
}}
{{Main|2006 United States Senate election in Delaware}}
{{See also|List of United States senators from Delaware}}
Incumbent Democrat Thomas R. Carper won re-election to a second term over a Republican Temple University law professor, Jan C. Ting.{{cite web | url = http://elections.delaware.gov/archive/elect06/elect06_general/html/elect06_general_office.shtml | title = State of Delaware: General Election (Official Results) | publisher = Delaware Commissioner of Elections | date = November 16, 2006 | access-date = March 9, 2010 | archive-date = May 28, 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190528184435/https://elections.delaware.gov/archive/elect06/elect06_general/html/elect06_general_office.shtml | url-status = dead }}
{{Election box begin no change
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Jan Ting
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 6,110
| percentage = 42.47%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Michael D. Protack
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 5,771
| percentage = 40.12%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Christine O'Donnell
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 2,505
| percentage = 17.41%
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 14,386
| percentage = 100.00%
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin
| title = Delaware general election{{Cite web |url=http://www.fec.gov/pubrec/fe2006/2006senate.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=November 28, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170506061224/http://www.fec.gov/pubrec/fe2006/2006senate.pdf |archive-date=May 6, 2017 |url-status=dead }}}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| candidate = Thomas Carper (Incumbent)
| votes = 170,567
| percentage = 67.13%
| change = +11.60%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = Jan Ting
| votes = 69,734
| percentage = 27.44%
| change = -16.26%
}}
{{Election box candidate
| party = Write-in
| candidate = Christine O'Donnell
| votes = 11,127
| percentage = 4.38%
| change =
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Independent Party (Delaware)
| candidate = Karen M. Hartley-Nagle
| votes = 5,769
| percentage = 2.2%
| change =
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Libertarian Party (United States)
| candidate = William E. Morris
| votes = 2,671
| percentage = 1.05%
| change = +0.71%
}}
{{Election box majority
| votes = 100,833
| percentage = 39.68%
| change = +27.85%
}}
{{Election box turnout
| votes = 254,099
| percentage =
| change =
}}
{{Election box hold with party link
| winner = Democratic Party (United States)
| swing =
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Clear}}
Florida
{{Infobox election
| election_name = Florida election
| country = Florida
| type = presidential
| ongoing = no
| previous_election = 2000 United States Senate election in Florida
| previous_year = 2000
| next_election = 2012 United States Senate election in Florida
| next_year = 2012
| election_date =
| image_size = 125x136px
| image1 = Bill Nelson.jpg
| nominee1 = Bill Nelson
| party1 = Democratic Party (United States)
| popular_vote1 = 2,890,548
| percentage1 = 60.3%
| image2 = Katherine Harris (R–FL) (cropped).jpeg
| nominee2 = Katherine Harris
| party2 = Republican Party (United States)
| popular_vote2 = 1,826,127
| percentage2 = 38.1%
| map_image = 2006 United States Senate election in Florida results map by county.svg
| map_size = 250px
| map_caption = County results
Nelson: {{legend0|#a5b0ff|40–50%}} {{legend0|#7996e2|50–60%}} {{legend0|#6674de|60–70%}} {{legend0|#584cde|70–80%}} {{legend0|#3933e5|80–90%}}
Harris: {{legend0|#ffb2b2|40–50%}} {{legend0|#e27f7f|50–60%}} {{legend0|#d75d5d|60–70%}}
| title = U.S. Senator
| before_election = Bill Nelson
| before_party = Democratic Party (United States)
| after_election = Bill Nelson
| after_party = Democratic Party (United States)
}}
{{Main|2006 United States Senate election in Florida}}
{{See also|List of United States senators from Florida}}
Incumbent Democrat Bill Nelson won re-election to a second term over Republican congresswoman Katherine Harris.
{{Election box begin no change
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = Katherine Harris
| votes = 474,871
| percentage = 49.4%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = Will McBride
| votes = 287,741
| percentage = 30.0%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = LeRoy Collins Jr.
| votes = 146,712
| percentage = 15.3%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = Peter Monroe
| votes = 51,330
| percentage = 5.3%
}}
{{Election box turnout no change
| votes = 960,654
| percentage = 100.00%
}}
{{Election box end}}
The organization Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, which monitors political corruption, complained to the Federal Election Commission (FEC) in October 2006 that the Bacardi beverage company had illegally used corporate resources in support of a fundraising event for Nelson in 2005. CREW had previously filed a similar complaint concerning a Bacardi fundraising event for Republican Senator Mel Martinez, an event that raised as much as $60,000 for Martinez's campaign. The amended complaint alleged that, on both occasions, Bacardi violated the Federal Election Campaign Act and FEC regulations by soliciting contributions from a list of the corporation's vendors.{{cite web|url=http://www.citizensforethics.org/press/newsrelease.php?view=171|title=Crew Files Amended FEC Complaint Against Bacardi USA and Martinez for Senate|publisher=Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington|access-date=December 20, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110522112417/http://www.citizensforethics.org/press/newsrelease.php?view=171|archive-date=May 22, 2011|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}
Nelson was easily re-elected, winning all but 10 of Florida's 67 counties and receiving 60.3% of the vote, winning by 1,064,421 votes or 22.2%. Nelson was projected the winner as the polls closed at 7 p.m. EST.
{{Election box begin
| title = Florida general election
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| candidate = Bill Nelson (Incumbent)
| votes = 2,890,548
| percentage = 60.3%
| change = +9.8%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = Katherine Harris
| votes = 1,826,127
| percentage = 38.1%
| change = -8.1%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Independent
| candidate = Belinda Noah
| votes = 24,880
| percentage = 0.5%
| change = n/a
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Independent
| candidate = Brian Moore
| votes = 19,695
| percentage = 0.4%
| change = n/a
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Independent
| candidate = Floyd Ray Frazier
| votes = 16,628
| percentage = 0.3%
| change = n/a
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Independent
| candidate = Roy Tanner
| votes = 15,562
| percentage = 0.3%
| change = n/a
}}
{{Election box candidate
| party = Write-ins
| candidate =
| votes = 94
| percentage = 0.0%
| change = n/a
}}
{{Election box majority
| votes = 1,064,421
| percentage = 22.2%
| change = +17.4%
}}
{{Election box turnout
| votes = 4,793,534
| percentage =
| change =
}}
{{Election box hold with party link
| winner = Democratic Party (United States)
| swing =
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Clear}}
Hawaii
{{Infobox election
| election_name = Hawaii election
| country = Hawaii
| type = presidential
| ongoing = no
| previous_election = 2000 United States Senate election in Hawaii
| previous_year = 2000
| next_election = 2012 United States Senate election in Hawaii
| next_year = 2012
| election_date =
| image_size = 125x136px
| image1 = Daniel Akaka official photo.jpg
| nominee1 = Daniel Akaka
| party1 = Democratic Party (United States)
| popular_vote1 = 210,330
| percentage1 = 61.4%
| image2 = Cynthia thielen (cropped).jpg
| nominee2 = Cynthia Thielen
| party2 = Republican Party (United States)
| popular_vote2 = 126,097
| percentage2 = 36.8%
| map_image = 2006 United States Senate election in Hawaii results map by county.svg
| map_size = 250px
| map_caption = County results
Akaka: {{legend0|#7996e2|50–60%}} {{legend0|#6674de|60–70%}} {{legend0|#584cde|70–80%}}
| title = U.S. Senator
| before_election = Daniel Akaka
| before_party = Democratic Party (United States)
| after_election = Daniel Akaka
| after_party = Democratic Party (United States)
}}
{{Main|2006 United States Senate election in Hawaii}}
{{See also|List of United States senators from Hawaii}}
Incumbent Democrat Daniel Akaka won re-election to his third full term over Republican State Representative Cynthia Thielen.
Democratic congressman Ed Case ran against Akaka in the Democratic Primary, having stated that although he had the deepest respect for Akaka, Hawaii was in a time of transition with regard to the state's representation in Congress which required that the state elect Senators of the next generation to provide continuity. He warned the state would lose all clout in Washington if the state's two US Senators, both of whom were over 80 years old, left office within a short time of each other. If a Senator were to die, Hawaii election law requires that the governor appoint a replacement of the same party.{{cite web|url=https://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/resources/pdf/Vacancies.pdf |title=Vacancies |website=United States Senate |access-date=2019-05-27}}
Hawaii's other Representative, Neil Abercrombie, and other Senator, Daniel Inouye, pledged their support to Akaka, who won the primary with 55% of the vote.{{cite web|url=http://starbulletin.com/2006/01/20/news/story01.html|title=StarBulletin.com - News - /2006/01/20/|publisher=Honolulu Star-Bulletin|website=starbulletin.com|access-date=December 20, 2017|archive-date=April 5, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060405082330/http://starbulletin.com/2006/01/20/news/story01.html|url-status=dead}}
{{Election box begin no change
| title = Democratic primary{{cite web|url=http://hawaii.gov/elections/results/2006/primary/pdf/histatewide.pdf|title=Office of Elections|website=hawaii.gov|access-date=December 20, 2017}}
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Daniel K. Akaka (Incumbent)
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes = 129,158
| percentage = 55%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Ed Case
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes = 107,163
| percentage = 45%
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 236,321
| percentage = 100%
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin no change
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Jerry Coffee
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 10,139
| percentage = 41.01%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Mark Beatty
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 6,057
| percentage = 24.50%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Akacase Collins
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 3,146
| percentage = 12.72%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Jay Friedheim
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 2,299
| percentage = 9.30%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Steve Tataii
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 1,601
| percentage = 6.48%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Eddie Pirkowski
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 1,482
| percentage = 5.99%
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 24,724
| percentage = 100%
}}
{{Election box end}}
Hawaii State Representative Cynthia Thielen was selected to be the Republican nominee after Jerry Coffee, who had previously withdrawn his candidacy, won the primary. Akaka won in all 4 Hawaii counties, taking at least 60% of the vote in each area.
{{Election box begin
| title = Hawaii general election
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| candidate = Daniel Akaka (Incumbent)
| votes = 210,330
| percentage = 61.4%
| change = -11.5%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = Cynthia Thielen
| votes = 126,097
| percentage = 36.8%
| change = +12.3%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Libertarian Party (United States)
| candidate = Lloyd Mallan
| votes = 6,415
| percentage = 1.9%
| change = +1.0%
}}
{{Election box majority
| votes = 84,233
| percentage = 24.6%
| change =
}}
{{Election box turnout
| votes = 342,842
| percentage =
| change =
}}
{{Election box hold with party link
| winner = Democratic Party (United States)
| swing =
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Clear}}
Indiana
{{Infobox election
| election_name = Indiana election
| country = Indiana
| type = presidential
| ongoing = no
| previous_election = 2000 United States Senate election in Indiana
| previous_year = 2000
| next_election = 2012 United States Senate election in Indiana
| next_year = 2012
| election_date =
| image_size = 125x136px
| image1 = Dick Lugar official photo 2010.JPG
| nominee1 = Richard Lugar
| party1 = Republican Party (United States)
| popular_vote1 = 1,171,553
| percentage1 = 87.3%
| image2 = 125px
| nominee2 = Steve Osborn
| party2 = Libertarian Party (United States)
| popular_vote2 = 168,820
| percentage2 = 12.6%
| map_image = 2006 United States Senate election in Indiana results map by county.svg
| map_size = 200px
| map_caption = County results
Lugar: {{legend0|#d72f30|70–80%}} {{legend0|#c21b18|80–90%}} {{legend0|#a80000|>90%}}
| title = U.S. Senator
| before_election = Richard Lugar
| before_party = Republican Party (United States)
| after_election = Richard Lugar
| after_party = Republican Party (United States)
}}
{{Main|2006 United States Senate election in Indiana}}
{{See also|List of United States senators from Indiana}}
Incumbent Republican Richard Lugar was unopposed by any Democratic candidate and was re-elected to his sixth six-year term with 87.3% of the vote over Libertarian radio operator Steve Osborn. This would be Lugar's last race of his political career.
Lugar faced no opposition from the Democratic Party, as they felt Lugar was unbeatable. The Indiana Senate race was the only one in 2006 where the incumbent faced no challenger from the other major party. Also running was Libertarian Steve Osborn. Osborn was from La Porte, Indiana, and was an amateur radio operator. Exit polls projected a landslide victory for Lugar which was borne out by the result.
The election was not close, with Lugar winning every county. Osborn's best performance was in Switzerland County, where he received just over 22% of the vote.
{{Election box begin
{{Election box winning candidate with party link
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = Richard Lugar (Incumbent)
| votes = 1,171,553
| percentage = 87.3%
| change =
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Libertarian Party (United States)
| candidate = Steve Osborn
| votes = 168,820
| percentage = 12.6%
| change =
}}
{{Election box candidate
| party = No party
| candidate = Write-Ins
| votes = 738
| percentage = 0.1%
| change =
}}
{{Election box majority
| votes = 1,002,733
| percentage =
| change =
}}
{{Election box turnout
| votes = 1,341,111
| percentage = 40%
| change =
}}
{{Election box hold with party link
| winner = Republican Party (United States)
| swing =
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Clear}}
Maine
{{Infobox election
| election_name = Maine election
| country = Maine
| type = presidential
| ongoing = no
| previous_election = 2000 United States Senate election in Maine
| previous_year = 2000
| next_election = 2012 United States Senate election in Maine
| next_year = 2012
| election_date =
| image_size = 125x136px
| image1 = Olympia Snowe official photo 2010 edit.jpg
| nominee1 = Olympia Snowe
| party1 = Republican Party (United States)
| popular_vote1 = 402,598
| percentage1 = 74.01%
| image2 = No image.png
| nominee2 = Jean Hay Bright
| party2 = Democratic Party (United States)
| popular_vote2 = 111,984
| percentage2 = 20.59%
| image4 =
| nominee4 = Bill Slavick
| party4 = Independent
| popular_vote4 = 29,220
| percentage4 = 5.37%
| map_image = {{switcher
|County results
|Municipality results
|default=1}}
| map_caption = Snowe: {{legend0|#e27f7f|50–60%}} {{legend0|#d75d5d|60–70%}} {{legend0|#d72f30|70–80%}} {{legend0|#c21b18|80–90%}} {{legend0|#a80000|>90%}}
Bright: {{legend0|#a5b0ff|40–50%}}
Slavick: {{legend0|#5a5a5a|80–90%}}
| title = U.S. Senator
| before_election = Olympia Snowe
| before_party = Republican Party (United States)
| after_election = Olympia Snowe
| after_party = Republican Party (United States)
}}
{{Main|2006 United States Senate election in Maine}}
{{See also|List of United States senators from Maine}}
Incumbent Republican Olympia Snowe won re-election to a third term over Democratic activist Jean Hay Bright.
Snowe, who had been elected to both of her previous terms by approximately 2-to-1 margins, had never lost an election. Snowe won by a landslide even as Democrats won across the country due to her being a centrist Republican and having a very high approval rating in Maine. Meanwhile, her Democratic opponent in the 2006 election, Jean Hay Bright, had never been elected to political office.
Democrats' best hope for taking the seat was that Snowe would retire rather than run in 2006, but there was never any indication that she seriously considered not running for re-election.[http://www.bangornews.com/news/templates/?a=122784]{{Dead link|date=August 2018|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}
The filing deadline for major party candidates was March 15, 2006. The primary was held June 13, 2006. Olympia Snowe was unopposed for the Republican nomination; Jean Hay Bright narrowly won the Democratic nod with 50.7% of the vote against Eric Mehnert.
Hay Bright announced her candidacy in May 2005. Hay Bright was previously an unsuccessful candidate for the Democratic nomination to the House in 1994 and the Senate in 1996.
The race had been called by [http://www.foxnews.com/politics/youdecide2006/races.html?ME FOX News] for Snowe 23 minutes after the polls had closed. Snowe won re-election by a greater margin than any U.S. Senator that cycle except Indiana's Richard Lugar, who faced only a Libertarian opponent. Snowe won in all of Maine's counties, taking at least 60% of the vote in each region.
{{Election box begin
{{Election box winning candidate with party link
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = Olympia Snowe (Incumbent)
| votes = 402,598
| percentage = 74.01%
| change = +5.5%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| candidate = Jean Hay Bright
| votes = 111,984
| percentage = 20.59%
| change = -10.6%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Independent
| candidate = Bill Slavick
| votes = 29,220
| percentage = 5.37%
| change = n/a
}}
{{Election box majority
| votes = 290,614
| percentage = 53.42%
| change =
}}
{{Election box turnout
| votes = 543,802
| percentage =
| change =
}}
{{Election box hold with party link
| winner = Republican Party (United States)
| swing =
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Clear}}
Maryland
{{Main|2006 United States Senate election in Maryland}}
{{See also|List of United States senators from Maryland}}
{{Infobox election
| election_name = Maryland election
| country = Maryland
| type = presidential
| ongoing = no
| previous_election = 2000 United States Senate election in Maryland
| previous_year = 2000
| next_election = 2012 United States Senate election in Maryland
| next_year = 2012
| election_date =
| image_size = 125x136px
| image1 = Ben Cardin portrait.jpg
| nominee1 = Ben Cardin
| party1 = Democratic Party (United States)
| popular_vote1 = 965,477
| percentage1 = 54.2%
| image2 = Michael Steele.jpg
| nominee2 = Michael Steele
| party2 = Republican Party (United States)
| popular_vote2 = 787,182
| percentage2 = 44.2%
| map_image = 2006 United States Senate election in Maryland results map by county.svg
| map_size = 275px
| map_caption = County results
Cardin: {{legend0|#7996e2|50–60%}} {{legend0|#6674de|60–70%}} {{legend0|#584cde|70–80%}}
Steele: {{legend0|#e27f7f|50–60%}} {{legend0|#d75d5d|60–70%}} {{legend0|#d72f30|70–80%}}
| title = U.S. Senator
| before_election = Paul Sarbanes
| before_party = Democratic Party (United States)
| after_election = Ben Cardin
| after_party = Democratic Party (United States)
}}
Incumbent Democrat Paul Sarbanes, Maryland's longest serving United States senator, decided to retire instead of seeking a sixth term. Democratic nominee Ben Cardin won the open seat.
Kweisi Mfume, a former congressman and NAACP President, was the first to announce for the position, in March 2005. Ben Cardin, then a congressman since 1987, was the only other major candidate until September 2005, when Dennis F. Rasmussen, a former Baltimore County Executive, American University professor Allan Lichtman, and wealthy Potomac businessman Josh Rales entered the contest. Thirteen other candidates subsequently also entered the primary. As of August 2006, Cardin had raised more than $4.8 million and collected endorsements from a number of Democratic politicians, the AFL–CIO, and The Washington Post; Mfume had raised over $1.2 million and collected endorsements from the Maryland State Teachers Association, Progressive Maryland, former Maryland Governor Parris Glendening, the National Organization for Women, and Maryland Congressmen Elijah Cummings and Al Wynn.
{{Election box begin no change
| title = Democratic primary{{cite web |url=http://www.elections.state.md.us/elections/2006/results/primary/office_US_Senator.html |publisher=elections.state.md.us |title=Official 2006 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for U.S. Senator |access-date=November 13, 2016}}
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Benjamin L. Cardin
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes = 257,545
| percentage = 43.67%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Kweisi Mfume
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes = 238,957
| percentage = 40.52%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Josh Rales
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes = 30,737
| percentage = 5.21%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Dennis F. Rasmussen
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes = 10,997
| percentage = 1.86%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Mike Schaefer
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes = 7,773
| percentage = 1.32%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Allan Lichtman
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes = 6,919
| percentage = 1.17%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Theresa C. Scaldaferri
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes =5,081
| percentage = 0.86%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = James H. Hutchinson
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes = 4,949
| percentage = 0.84%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = David Dickerson
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes = 3,950
| percentage = 0.67%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = A. Robert Kaufman
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes = 3,908
| percentage = 0.66%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Anthony Jaworski
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes = 3,486
| percentage = 0.59%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Thomas McCaskill
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes = 3,459
| percentage =0.59
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = George T. English
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes = 2,305
| percentage = 0.39%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Bob Robinson
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes = 2,208
| percentage = 0.37%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Lih Young
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes = 2,039
| percentage = 0.35%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Blaine Taylor
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes = 1,848
| percentage = 0.31%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Joseph Werner
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes = 1,832
| percentage =0.31
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Charles Ulysses Smith
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes = 1,702
| percentage = 0.29%
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 589,695
| percentage = 100%
}}
{{Election box end}}
Michael S. Steele, Lieutenant Governor and former chairman of the Maryland Republican Party, was expected to win the Republican primary, and the Baltimore Sun wrote the month before that he faced "only nominal opposition".{{cite news | url = https://www.baltimoresun.com/2006/08/26/maryland-politicssenate-candidates-get-national-airingthe-candidates/ | title = Maryland: Politics – Senate candidates get national airing | newspaper = The Baltimore Sun | date = August 26, 2006 | access-date = September 25, 2013}} Among a field of nine other candidates, the only Republican receiving significant media coverage was Daniel Vovak.
{{Election box begin no change
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Michael S. Steele
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 190,790
| percentage = 86.96%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = John Kimble
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 6,280
| percentage = 2.86%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Earl S. Gordon
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 4,110
| percentage = 1.87%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Daniel "Wig Man" Vovak
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 4,063
| percentage = 1.85%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Thomas J. Hampton
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 3,946
| percentage = 1.80%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Corrogan R. Vaughn
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 2,565
| percentage = 1.17%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Daniel Muffoletto
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 2,335
| percentage = 1.06%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Richard Shawver
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 2,298
| percentage = 1.05%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Ray Bly
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 2,114
| percentage = 0.96%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Edward Raymond Madej
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 902
| percentage = 0.41%
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 219,403
| percentage = 100%
}}
{{Election box end}}
This was Maryland's first open Senate seat since 1986, when Senator Barbara Mikulski was first elected.
Kevin Zeese, the nominee for the Green, Populist and Libertarian Parties, was also on the ballot.
Though Steele lost the general election by 10% of the vote, a much wider margin than predicted, his was and remains the best showing for a Republican in a Senate race in Maryland since Charles Mathias, Jr. was re-elected in 1980 with 66% of the vote.
Both Steele and Cardin made controversial statements and advertising throughout the campaign.
Cardin primarily attacked Steele over his close relations with President Bush, including pictures of Bush and Steele in Cardin's TV ads.{{cite web |url=http://progressivemaryland.org/files/public/images/SteeleHuggingBush051130.jpg |title=Archived copy |access-date=June 22, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060622224926/http://progressivemaryland.org/files/public/images/SteeleHuggingBush051130.jpg |archive-date=June 22, 2006 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }} Steele focused on low taxes, less government spending, free markets and national security.{{cite web | last = Steele | first = Michael | url = http://www.townhall.com/columnists/MichaelSteele/2008/02/07/now_is_the_time_to_act | title = Michael Steele : Now Is the Time to Act | publisher = Townhall.com | date = February 8, 2008 | access-date = January 13, 2010}}
Despite polls days before the election showing the race at a 3% margin, Cardin won by more than 10% with a 178,295-vote margin. Steele conceded defeat at 9:02 p.m. EST.
{{Election box begin
| title = Maryland general election{{cite web | url = http://www.elections.state.md.us/elections/2006/results/general/office_US_Senator.html | title = Official 2006 Gubernatorial General Election results for U.S. Senator | publisher = Maryland State Board of Elections | date = December 19, 2006 | access-date = January 13, 2010}}}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| candidate = Ben Cardin
| votes = 965,477
| percentage = 54.21%
| change = -9.0%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = Michael S. Steele
| votes = 787,182
| percentage = 44.19%
| change = +7.5%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Green Party (United States)
| candidate = Kevin Zeese
| votes = 27,564
| percentage = 1.55%
| change = n/a
}}
{{Election box candidate
| party = Write-ins
| candidate =
| votes = 916
| percentage = 0.05%
| change = 0%
}}
{{Election box majority
| votes = 178,295
| percentage = 10.02%
| change =
}}
{{Election box turnout
| votes = 1,781,139
| percentage = 100
| change =
}}
{{Election box hold with party link
| winner = Democratic Party (United States)
| loser =
| swing =
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Clear}}
Massachusetts
{{Infobox election
| election_name = Massachusetts election
| country = Massachusetts
| type = presidential
| ongoing = no
| previous_election = 2000 United States Senate election in Massachusetts
| previous_year = 2000
| next_election = 2010 United States Senate special election in Massachusetts
| next_year = 2010 (special)
| election_date =
| image_size = 125x136px
| image1 = Ted Kennedy, official photo portrait crop.jpg
| nominee1 = Ted Kennedy
| party1 = Democratic Party (United States)
| popular_vote1 = 1,500,738
| percentage1 = 69.3%
| image2 = No image.svg
| nominee2 = Kenneth Chase
| party2 = Republican Party (United States)
| popular_vote2 = 661,532
| percentage2 = 30.6%
| map_image = {{switcher
|County results
|File:2006 United States Senate Election in Massachusetts by Municipality.svg
|Municipality results
|default=1
}}
| map_size = 250px
| map_caption =
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
Kennedy
{{legend|#A5B0FF|40–50%}}
{{legend|#7996E2|50–60%}}
{{legend|#6674DE|60–70%}}
{{legend|#584CDE|70–80%}}
{{legend|#3933E5|80–90%}}
{{legend|#0D0596|90-100%}}
{{col-2}}
Chase
{{legend|#E27F7F|50–60%}}
{{col-end}}
| title = U.S. Senator
| before_election = Ted Kennedy
| before_party = Democratic Party (United States)
| after_election = Ted Kennedy
| after_party = Democratic Party (United States)
}}
{{Main|2006 United States Senate election in Massachusetts}}
{{See also|List of United States senators from Massachusetts}}
Incumbent Democrat Ted Kennedy won re-election to his ninth (his eighth full) term, beating Republican language school owner and activist Kenneth Chase. This was Kennedy's last election to the Senate.
At the Massachusetts Republican Party Convention{{cite web |url=http://www.lowell2006.com/ |title=2006 Massachusetts GOP State Convention |access-date=September 5, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060418143458/http://www.lowell2006.com/ |archive-date=April 18, 2006 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }} Kenneth Chase received the official endorsement with a majority of delegates, though both candidates qualified for the September primary. Former White House Chief-of-Staff Andy Card also received 3 votes.{{cite web|url=http://www.hubpolitics.com/archives/cat_lowell_2006.php|title=Hub Politics: Lowell 2006|access-date=December 20, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060618224854/http://www.hubpolitics.com/archives/cat_lowell_2006.php|archive-date=June 18, 2006|url-status=dead}}
{{Election box begin no change
| title = Republican primary{{cite web|url=https://www.boston.com/news/special/politics/2006_elections/primary_results/#GOPUSSenate|title= Massachusetts primary results|website=boston.com|access-date=October 23, 2021}}}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = Kenneth Chase
| votes = 35,497
| percentage = 50.94%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = Kevin Scott
| votes = 34,179
| percentage = 49.05%
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 69,676
| percentage = 100.00%
}}
{{Election box end}}
Kennedy captured every county in the state, winning at least 62% in each region.{{Cite web |title=PD43+ » 2006 U.S. Senate General Election |url=https://electionstats.state.ma.us/elections/view/103154/ |access-date=2024-06-01 |website=PD43+ |language=en-US}}
{{Election box begin
| title = Massachusetts general election{{cite web|url=https://www.boston.com/news/special/politics/2006_elections/general_results/us_senate.html |title=2006 General Election Results - US Senate|website=boston.com}}}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| candidate = Ted Kennedy (Incumbent)
| votes = 1,500,738
| percentage = 69.30%
| change = -3.4%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = Kenneth Chase
| votes = 661,532
| percentage = 30.55%
| change = +17.7
}}
{{Election box majority
| votes = 839,206
| percentage = 38.75%
| change =
}}
{{Election box turnout
| votes = 2,165,490
| percentage =
| change =
}}
{{Election box hold with party link
| winner = Democratic Party (United States)
| swing = {{decrease}} 20.8
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Clear}}
Michigan
{{Infobox election
| election_name = Michigan election
| country = Michigan
| type = presidential
| ongoing = no
| previous_election = 2000 United States Senate election in Michigan
| previous_year = 2000
| next_election = 2012 United States Senate election in Michigan
| next_year = 2012
| election_date =
| image_size = 125x136px
| image1 = Debbie Stabenow official photo.jpg
| nominee1 = Debbie Stabenow
| party1 = Democratic Party (United States)
| popular_vote1 = 2,151,278
| percentage1 = 56.9%
| image2 = Mike Bouchard 2006 (cropped).jpg
| nominee2 = Mike Bouchard
| party2 = Republican Party (United States)
| popular_vote2 = 1,559,597
| percentage2 = 41.3%
| map_image = 2006 United States Senate election in Michigan results map by county.svg
| map_size = 250px
| map_caption = Stabenow: {{legend0|#a5b0ff|40–50%}} {{legend0|#7996e2|50–60%}} {{legend0|#6674de|60–70%}} {{legend0|#584CDE|70–80%}}
Bouchard: {{legend0|#ffb2b2|40–50%}} {{legend0|#e27f7f|50–60%}} {{legend0|#d75d5d|60–70%}}
| title = U.S. Senator
| before_election = Debbie Stabenow
| before_party = Democratic Party (United States)
| after_election = Debbie Stabenow
| after_party = Democratic Party (United States)
}}
{{Main|2006 United States Senate election in Michigan}}
{{See also|List of United States senators from Michigan}}
Incumbent Democrat Debbie Stabenow won re-election to a second term, beating Republican Michael Bouchard, Oakland County Sheriff
Economic issues took front-and-center in the campaign, as Michigan's unemployment rate was one of the highest in the nation. In July 2006, unemployment in Michigan stood at approximately 7%, compared with a 4.7% rate nationwide. Pessimism about the state's economic future had left Michigan ranked 49th nationally between 2000 and 2005 in retaining young adults. Since its peak, Detroit had lost over a million people. Bouchard claimed that the incumbent had accomplished nothing, dubbing her "Do-Nothing Debbie."{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/11/AR2006091101180.html|title=Mich. Voters Focus on Economy|date=September 12, 2006|access-date=December 20, 2017|via=www.washingtonpost.com}}
From a long way out, Stabenow looked like she might be vulnerable. President Bush even came to Michigan to campaign for Bouchard, raising over $1,000,000 for him. However, Bouchard never won a single poll. By October the Republican Party, started taking resources out of Michigan to focus on closer races, essentially ceding the race to Stabenow. Stabenow would go on to win the election easily, capturing nearly 57% of the vote. Stabenow did well throughout Michigan but performed better in heavily populated cities like Detroit, Lansing, Ann Arbor, and Kalamazoo. Bouchard did win Grand Rapids, a typical Republican area. He also won in many rural areas around the state. However, Bouchard failed to put a dent in Stabenow's lead, largely due to her strong performance in heavily populated areas. Bouchard conceded to Stabenow at 9:58 p.m. EST.
{{Election box begin
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| candidate = Debbie Stabenow (Incumbent)
| votes = 2,151,278
| percentage = 56.9%
| change = +7.4%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = Michael Bouchard
| votes = 1,559,597
| percentage = 41.3%
| change = -6.6%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Libertarian Party (United States)
| candidate = Leonard Schwartz
| votes = 27,012
| percentage = 0.7%
| change = 0%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Green Party (United States)
| candidate = David Sole
| votes = 23,890
| percentage = 0.6%
| change = -0.3%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Constitution Party (United States)
| candidate = Dennis FitzSimons
| votes = 18,341
| percentage = 0.5%
| change = +0.2%
}}
{{Election box majority
| votes = 591,681
| percentage = 15.6%
| change =
}}
{{Election box turnout
| votes = 3,780,142
| percentage =
| change =
}}
{{Election box hold with party link
| winner = Democratic Party (United States)
| swing = 7%
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Clear}}
Minnesota
{{Infobox election
| election_name = Minnesota election
| country = Minnesota
| type = presidential
| ongoing = no
| previous_election = 2000 United States Senate election in Minnesota
| previous_year = 2000
| next_election = 2012 United States Senate election in Minnesota
| next_year = 2012
| election_date =
| image_size = 125x136px
| image1 = Amy Klobuchar.jpg
| nominee1 = Amy Klobuchar
| party1 = Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party
| popular_vote1 = 1,278,849
| percentage1 = 58.1%
| image2 = Mark Kennedy, official photo portrait, color.jpg
| nominee2 = Mark Kennedy
| party2 = Republican Party (Minnesota)
| popular_vote2 = 835,653
| percentage2 = 37.9%
| map_image = 2006 United States Senate election in Minnesota results map by county.svg
| map_size = 250px
| map_caption = Klobuchar: {{legend0|#A5B0FF|40–50%}} {{legend0|#7996e2|50–60%}} {{legend0|#6674de|60–70%}} {{legend0|#584cde|70–80%}}
Kennedy: {{legend0|#FFB2B2|40–50%}} {{legend0|#E27F7F|50–60%}}
| title = U.S. Senator
| before_election = Mark Dayton
| before_party = Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party
| after_election = Amy Klobuchar
| after_party = Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party
}}
{{Main|2006 United States Senate election in Minnesota}}
{{See also|List of United States senators from Minnesota}}
Incumbent DFL senator Mark Dayton decided in February 2005 that he would retire instead of seeking a second term. The primary elections took place on September 12, 2006. DFL nominee Amy Klobuchar won the open seat over Mark Kennedy (R), U.S. Congressman.
Klobuchar gained the early endorsement of the majority of DFL state legislators in Minnesota.
{{Election box begin no change
| title = Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor primary{{cite web | url=http://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/20060912/ElecRslts.asp?M=S&R=all&P=A&Races= | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060924220606/http://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/20060912/ElecRslts.asp?M=S&R=all&P=A&Races= | archive-date=September 24, 2006 | title=Home - Election Results }}
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Amy Klobuchar
| party = Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party
| votes = 294,671
| percentage = 92.51%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Darryl Stanton
| party = Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party
| votes = 23,872
| percentage = 7.49%
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 318,543
| percentage = 100.00%
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin no change
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Mark Kennedy
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 147,091
| percentage = 90.21%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = John Uldrich
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 10,025
| percentage = 6.15%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Harold Shudlick
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 5,941
| percentage = 3.64%
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 163,057
| percentage = 100.00%
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin no change
| title = Independence primary
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Robert Fitzgerald
| party = Independence Party (Minnesota)
| votes = 5,520
| percentage = 51.61%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Miles W. Collins
| party = Independence Party (Minnesota)
| votes = 2,600
| percentage = 24.31%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Stephen Williams
| party = Independence Party (Minnesota)
| votes = 2,575
| percentage = 24.08%
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 10,695
| percentage = 100.00%
}}
{{Election box end}}
File:AmyBarackTim2006RochesterMN.JPG and Tim Walz.]]
File:MN senate debate 11.05.06.JPG
Kennedy's routine support of President George W. Bush in House votes was a central issue for Democrats in the campaign. In June 2006, allegations were made that many references to and photos of Bush had been removed from Kennedy's official U.S. House website; in rebuttal, Republicans said that there were 72 references to Bush on the website and that the changes noted by critics had been made some time ago, as part of the normal updating process.{{cite web|url=http://www.startribune.com/587/story/519592.html|title=The latest from the StarTribune|website=Star Tribune|access-date=December 20, 2017}}{{Dead link|date=September 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Ben Powers was the only ballot-qualified candidate not to be invited to appear on Minnesota Public Television's Almanac program, despite Mr. Powers's offer to fill the space left unfilled by Ms. Klobuchar's decision not to appear with Mr. Kennedy and Mr. Fitzgerald on the program. Green candidate Michael Cavlan appeared on the program twice during the 2006 campaign as a special guest.
{{Election box begin
| title = Minnesota general election
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link
| party = Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party
| candidate = Amy Jean Klobuchar
| votes = 1,278,849
| percentage = 58.06%
| change = +9.23%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Republican Party (Minnesota)
| candidate = Mark Kennedy
| votes = 835,653
| percentage = 37.94%
| change = -5.35%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Independence Party (Minnesota)
| candidate = Robert Fitzgerald
| votes = 71,194
| percentage = 3.23%
| change = -2.58%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Green Party (United States)
| candidate = Michael Cavlan
| votes = 10,714
| percentage = 0.49%
| change = n/a
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Constitution Party (United States)
| candidate = Ben Powers
| votes = 5,408
| percentage = 0.25%
| change = +0.15%
}}
{{Election box candidate
| party = Write-ins
| candidate =
| votes = 954
| percentage =
| change =
}}
{{Election box majority
| votes = 443,196
| percentage = 20.2%
| change =
}}
{{Election box turnout
| votes = 2,202,772
| percentage = 70.64%
| change =
}}
{{Election box hold with party link
| winner = Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party
| swing =
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Clear}}
Mississippi
{{Infobox election
| election_name = Mississippi election
| country = Mississippi
| flag_image = Flag of Mississippi (2001–2020).svg
| type = presidential
| ongoing = no
| previous_election = 2000 United States Senate election in Mississippi
| previous_year = 2000
| next_election = 2008 United States Senate special election in Mississippi
| next_year = 2008 (special)
| election_date =
| image_size = 125x136px
| image1 = Trent Lott official portrait (cropped).jpg
| nominee1 = Trent Lott
| party1 = Republican Party (United States)
| popular_vote1 = 388,399
| percentage1 = 63.6%
| image2 = Erik Fleming cropped.jpg
| nominee2 = Erik R. Fleming
| party2 = Democratic Party (United States)
| popular_vote2 = 213,000
| percentage2 = 34.9%
| map_image = 2006 United States Senate election in Mississippi results map by county.svg
| map_size = 200px
| map_caption = County results
Lott: {{legend0|#ffb2b2|40–50%}} {{legend0|#e27f7f|50–60%}} {{legend0|#d75d5d|60–70%}} {{legend0|#d72f30|70–80%}} {{legend0|#c21b18|80–90%}}
Fleming: {{legend0|#a5b0ff|40–50%}} {{legend0|#7996e2|50–60%}} {{legend0|#6674de|60–70%}} {{legend0|#584cde|70–80%}}
| title = U.S. Senator
| before_election = Trent Lott
| before_party = Republican Party (United States)
| after_election = Trent Lott
| after_party = Republican Party (United States)
}}
{{Main|2006 United States Senate election in Mississippi}}
{{See also|List of United States senators from Mississippi}}
Incumbent Republican Trent Lott won re-election to a fourth term.
{{Election box begin no change
| title = Democratic primary{{cite web|url=http://www.sos.state.ms.us/elections/2006/State%20Recap%20June%2006.pdf|title=State Rec|access-date=December 20, 2017}}
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Erik R. Fleming
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes = 46,185
| percentage = 44.07%
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Bill Bowlin
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes = 23,175
| percentage = 22.11%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = James O'Keefe
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes = 20,815
| percentage = 19.86%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Catherine Starr
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes = 14,629
| percentage = 13.96%
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 104,804
| percentage = 100%
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin no change
| title = Democratic primary runoff results{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=292027|title=Our Campaigns - MS US Senate-D Primary Run-Off Race - Jun 27, 2006|website=ourcampaigns.com|access-date=December 20, 2017}}
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Erik R. Fleming
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes = 19,477
| percentage = 64.99%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Bill Bowlin
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes = 10,490
| percentage = 35.01%
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 29,967
| percentage = 100%
}}
{{Election box end}}
Lott ran for re-election without facing any opposition in his party's primary. While it had been speculated that Lott might retire after his home was destroyed in Hurricane Katrina, he instead chose to run for re-election. Fleming is an African American, which represents 37% of the state's population. However, no African American has ever been elected to statewide office. The last black U.S. Senator was Hiram Revels, who was appointed and took office in 1870. Fleming got little help from the DSCC, which only donated $15,000 to his campaign.{{cite web|url=http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2008Oct18/0,4670,MississippiSenate,00.html|title=FOXNews.com - Fleming runs low-budget Miss. challenge of Cochran - Politics - Republican Party - Democratic Party - Political Spectrum|website=Fox News|access-date=December 20, 2017}}
{{Election box begin
| title = Mississippi general election
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = Trent Lott (Incumbent)
| votes = 388,399
| percentage = 63.58%
| change =
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| candidate = Erik R. Fleming
| votes = 213,000
| percentage = 34.87%
| change =
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Libertarian Party (United States)
| candidate = Harold Taylor
| votes = 9,522
| percentage = 1.56%
| change =
}}
{{Election box majority
| votes = 175,399
| percentage = 28.71%
| change =
}}
{{Election box turnout
| votes = 591,178
| percentage =
| change =
}}
{{Election box hold with party link
| winner = Republican Party (United States)
| swing =
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Clear}}
Missouri
{{Infobox election
| election_name = Missouri election
| country = Missouri
| type = presidential
| ongoing = no
| previous_election = 2002 United States Senate special election in Missouri
| previous_year = 2002 (special)
| next_election = 2012 United States Senate election in Missouri
| next_year = 2012
| election_date =
| image_size = 125x136px
| image1 = Claire McCaskill 2007.jpg
| nominee1 = Claire McCaskill
| party1 = Democratic Party (United States)
| popular_vote1 = 1,055,255
| percentage1 = 49.6%
| image2 = Jim Talent official photo.jpg
| nominee2 = Jim Talent
| party2 = Republican Party (United States)
| popular_vote2 = 1,006,941
| percentage2 = 47.3%
| map_image = 2006 United States Senate election in Missouri results map by county.svg
| map_size = 255px
| map_caption = County results
McCaskill: {{legend0|#a5b0ff|40–50%}} {{legend0|#7996e2|50–60%}} {{legend0|#6674de|60–70%}} {{legend0|#584cde|70–80%}}
Talent: {{legend0|#ffb2b2|40–50%}} {{legend0|#e27f7f|50–60%}} {{legend0|#d75d5d|60–70%}} {{legend0|#d72f30|70–80%}}
| title = U.S. Senator
| before_election = Jim Talent
| before_party = Republican Party (United States)
| after_election = Claire McCaskill
| after_party = Democratic Party (United States)
}}
{{Main|2006 United States Senate election in Missouri}}
{{See also|List of United States senators from Missouri}}
Incumbent Republican Jim Talent was elected in a special election in 2002 when he narrowly defeated incumbent Democrat Jean Carnahan. Carnahan had been appointed to the Senate seat following the posthumous election of her husband Mel Carnahan, who had died in a plane crash shortly before the 2000 election. Talent was running for a full term, his Democratic opponent was Missouri State Auditor Claire McCaskill. Early on the morning of November 8, Talent conceded defeat to McCaskill, having faced considerable political headwinds. Talent lost the election with 47% of the vote, to 50% of the vote for McCaskill.
The election was always expected to be very close, which seems fitting for a seat that has changed hands twice, both by very narrow margins, within the last six years. In 2000, the late Missouri Governor Mel Carnahan, a Democrat, narrowly defeated incumbent Republican Senator John Ashcroft 50% to 48%. Two years later in a special election held for the seat, incumbent Senator Jean Carnahan lost an even closer election to former Congressman Talent, 50% to 49%.
Missouri was seen as the nation's bellwether state throughout the 20th century: It had voted for the winner of every presidential election since 1900, except for 1956 (when the state narrowly favored Adlai Stevenson over Dwight D. Eisenhower). Missouri's bellwether status was due to the fact that it not only voted for the electoral victor, but that its returns usually mirrored national returns.
The state itself is a geographically central state, bordered by both the edges of Southern and Midwestern regions. In statewide contests for much of the 20th century, Missouri favored the Democratic Party. In recent elections, the Republican Party (GOP) has emerged in statewide contests. The election of 2004 was an important one; as George W. Bush was re-elected he carried Missouri. But this time his margin in the state was greater than it was nationwide. Bush won the Presidency 51% to 48%, he carried Missouri 53% to 46%. This trend had begun in 2000, when Bush lost the national popular vote to Al Gore 47% to 48% but still won Missouri, 50% to 47%. Bush's victory also saw Republicans triumph in several statewide contests; Senator Kit Bond was re-elected by a decisive 56% to 43% margin and Matt Blunt won the election for Governor, narrowly defeating state auditor Claire McCaskill 51% to 48%. The GOP also captured control of the state legislature for the first time in eighty years.
Talent, anticipating a tough re-election battle and attempting to dissuade challengers, had accumulated a large campaign fund.{{cite web | url=http://opensecrets.org/states/election.asp?State=MO&Year=2006 | title=Missouri Congressional Races in 2006 | publisher=OpenSecrets |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070110003801/http://www.opensecrets.org/states/election.asp?State=MO&Year=2006 |archive-date=January 10, 2007}} For most of 2005, he had no opposition. State Senator Chuck Graham had briefly entered the race early in the year, but dropped out soon after. However, on August 30, 2005, Democrat Claire McCaskill announced her intention to run for Talent's Senate seat.
McCaskill started with a large financial disadvantage, but she was also an experienced candidate with high name recognition. McCaskill had run two successful campaigns for state auditor. She was also a candidate for governor in 2004, when she defeated the incumbent Democratic Governor Bob Holden in the primary election but lost with 48% of the vote in the general election.
Both Talent and McCaskill faced unknowns in their respective primaries on August 8, 2006, and defeated them soundly.
The Missouri contest was seen as vitally important to control of the United States Senate; as a toss-up election between two strong candidates, the race was expected to attract a lot of interest as well as money spent on ads and turning out supporters. If Talent won, then a Democratic takeover of the U.S. Senate depended upon victories in Tennessee, where the Republican Bob Corker won, and Virginia, where Democrat Jim Webb won; the Democrats needed to win six seats to take control of the chamber with 51 seats. To do this, they would need to retain their 19 incumbent seats, win the four Republican-held seats of Montana, Ohio, Rhode Island, and Pennsylvania (where Democratic chances seemed above 50%, and Democrats won all 4.) and two of the following three "toss-up" races: Missouri, Tennessee and Virginia.
It is believed{{by whom|date=November 2017}} that statewide ballot issues drove the November 2006 vote. Talent was on the opposite of the majority of voters in this poll on just about every issue: 66% of Missouri voters favored raising the minimum wage to $6.50 an hour; 62% of Missouri voters favored raising taxes to replace Medicaid funding cut by the current Republican Governor, Matt Blunt; 54% opposed a law that would require all Missourians to show a photo ID before they vote; 58% favored campaign donation limitations; and 66% favored restoring Medicaid coverage to about 90,000 Missourians who lost coverage when Blunt and the Republican legislature tightened eligibility requirements.
Perhaps most importantly, 62% favored a ballot proposal that would allow all types of embryonic stem cell research allowed under federal law - a measure Talent had recently announced that he was against.{{cite news | url = https://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/stlouiscitycounty/story/8CD39743858142E086257197005F0EAB?OpenDocument |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060808190341/http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/stlouiscitycounty/story/8CD39743858142E086257197005F0EAB?OpenDocument |archive-date=August 8, 2006 | title = Senate race tied to state issues | first = Jo | last = Mannies | date = June 24, 2006 | newspaper = St. Louis Post-Dispatch}}
On election night the race was, as expected, too close to call. With 85% of the vote in and with still no call, McCaskill claimed victory. At the time McCaskill declared victory, she was ahead by a vote margin of 867,683 to Talent's 842,251 votes; in percentage terms, with 85% of the vote in, McCaskill led Talent, 49% to 48%. Finally, at 11:38 p.m. Central Time the Associated Press called McCaskill as the winner. St. Louis County, adjacent to St. Louis, and Jackson County, home of Kansas City, are probably what pushed McCaskill over the finish line.
{{Election box begin
| title = Missouri general election
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| candidate = Claire McCaskill
| votes = 1,055,255
| percentage = 49.6%
| change = +0.9%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = Jim Talent (Incumbent)
| votes = 1,006,941
| percentage = 47.3%
| change = -2.5%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Libertarian Party (United States)
| candidate = Frank Gilmour
| votes = 47,792
| percentage = 2.2%
| change = +1.2%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Progressive Party (Missouri)
| candidate = Lydia Lewis
| votes = 18,383
| percentage = 0.9%
| change = n/a
}}
{{Election box candidate
| party = Write-ins
| candidate =
| votes = 88
| percentage = 0.0%
| change = n/a
}}
{{Election box plurality
| votes = 48,314
| percentage = 2.3%
| change =
}}
{{Election box turnout
| votes = 2,128,459
| percentage =
| change =
}}
{{Election box gain with party link
| winner = Democratic Party (United States)
| loser = Republican Party (United States)
| swing =
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Clear}}
Montana
{{Infobox election
| election_name = Montana election
| country = Montana
| type = presidential
| ongoing = no
| previous_election = 2000 United States Senate election in Montana
| previous_year = 2000
| next_election = 2012 United States Senate election in Montana
| next_year = 2012
| election_date =
| image_size = 125x136px
| image1 = Jon Tester, official 110th Congress photo.jpg
| nominee1 = Jon Tester
| party1 = Democratic Party (United States)
| popular_vote1 = 199,845
| percentage1 = 49.16%
| image2 = Conrad Burns official portrait.jpg
| nominee2 = Conrad Burns
| party2 = Republican Party (United States)
| popular_vote2 = 196,283
| percentage2 = 48.29%
| map_image = 2006 United States Senate election in Montana results map by county.svg
| map_size = 300px
| map_caption = County results
Tester: {{legend0|#a5b0ff|40–50%}} {{legend0|#7996e2|50–60%}} {{legend0|#6674de|60–70%}} {{legend0|#584cde|70–80%}}
Burns: {{legend0|#e27f7f|50–60%}} {{legend0|#d75d5d|60–70%}} {{legend0|#d72f30|70–80%}} {{legend0|#c21b18|80–90%}}
| title = U.S. Senator
| before_election = Conrad Burns
| before_party = Republican Party (United States)
| after_election = Jon Tester
| after_party = Democratic Party (United States)
}}
{{Main|2006 United States Senate election in Montana}}
{{See also|List of United States senators from Montana}}
Incumbent Republican Conrad Burns was running for re-election to a fourth term but was defeated by Democrat Jon Tester, President of the Montana State Senate, by a margin of 0.87%, or 3,562 votes out of 406,505 votes.
Burns was first elected as a United States senator from Montana in 1988, when he defeated Democratic incumbent John Melcher in a close race, 51% to 48%. Burns was re-elected 62.4% to 37.6%, over Jack Mudd in the Republican Revolution year of 1994. In 2000, Burns faced the well-financed Brian Schweitzer whom he beat 50.6% to 47.2%.
In 2000, George W. Bush carried Montana 58% to 33% in the race for president, but Burns won by 3.4%. Since the direct election of Senators began in 1913, Burns is only the second Republican Montana has elected to the U.S. Senate. Also, for thirty-two straight years, 1952 to 1984, Montana elected only Democratic Senators.
Burns's involvement in the Jack Abramoff scandal made him vulnerable.{{Cite web |last=Welna |first=David |date=5 June 2006 |title=Montana's Sen. Burns Faces Tough Test This Fall |url=https://www.npr.org/2006/06/05/5452446/montanas-sen-burns-faces-tough-test-this-fall |access-date=1 June 2024 |website=NPR}} A SurveyUSA poll released in March 2006 found that 38% of Montanans approved of him, while 52% disapproved of him.{{cite web|url=http://www.surveyusa.com/client/PollReport.aspx?g=1d129929-79ef-4681-baac-183bf3669860|title=SurveyUSA News Poll #8541|website=surveyusa.com|access-date=December 20, 2017}} Polls against leading Democratic candidates had him below his challengers.{{Cite web |title=2006 Senate RealClearPolitics Poll Averages {{!}} RealClearPolitics |url=http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/writeup/2006_senate_realclearpolitics_poll_averages-63.html |access-date=2024-06-01 |website=www.realclearpolitics.com |language=en-us}}
On May 31, 2006, Richards, citing the closeness of the race, and his own position (third) in the polls, withdrew from the race, and threw his support to Tester.{{cite web|url=http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2006/05/31/news/state/25-richards-tester.txt|title=BillingsGazette.com :: Richards: Tester is best choice|access-date=December 20, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060602004409/http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2006/05/31/news/state/25-richards-tester.txt|archive-date=June 2, 2006|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}} Morrison started off strong in the race for the Democratic nomination for Senator, collecting $1.05 million as of the start of 2006, including $409,241 in the last three months of 2005.{{cite web|url=http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2006/02/01/news/state/75-fundraising.txt|title=BillingsGazette.com :: Burns' fundraising nears $5 million; Morrison's hits $1 million|access-date=December 20, 2017}}{{Dead link|date=July 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} but Morrison's advantages in fundraising and name identification did not translate into a lead in the polls.{{cite web|url=http://www.cqpolitics.com/2006/05/mt_senate_race_to_take_on_emba.html|title=Politics Home Page : Roll Call|access-date=December 20, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060827025641/http://www.cqpolitics.com/2006/05/mt_senate_race_to_take_on_emba.html|archive-date=August 27, 2006|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}} Later, the race was called a "deadlock,"{{cite web|url=http://www.helenair.com/articles/2006/05/28/montana_top/a01052806_01.txt|title=Tester, Morrison deadlocked|first=Charles S.|last=Johnson|date=2006-05-28|access-date=December 20, 2017}} but Tester continued to gather momentum.
{{Election box begin no change
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Jon Tester
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes = 65,757
| percentage = 60.77%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = John Morrison
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes = 38,394
| percentage = 35.48%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Paul Richards
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes = 1,636
| percentage = 1.51%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Robert Candee
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes = 1,471
| percentage = 1.36%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Kenneth Marcure
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes = 940
| percentage = 0.87%
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 108,198
| percentage = 100.00%
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin no change
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Conrad Burns (Incumbent)
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 70,434
| percentage = 72.26%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Bob Keenan
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 21,754
| percentage = 22.32%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Bob Kelleher
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 4,082
| percentage = 4.19%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Daniel Loyd Neste Huffman
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 1,203
| percentage = 1.23%
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 97,473
| percentage = 100.00%
}}
{{Election box end}}
The race was expected to be close, due to Burns's previous narrow winning margins and recent political scandal involving him personally; Republican incumbents everywhere were facing more challenging races in 2006 due to the waning popularity of Congress and the leadership of President George W. Bush. In July 2006, the Rasmussen report viewed Burns as the "second most vulnerable Senator seeking re-election this year (Pennsylvania's Rick Santorum was still the most vulnerable)."{{cite web|url=http://www.rasmussenreports.com/2006/State%20Polls/July%202006/montanaSenate.htm|title=Rasmussen Reports: The most comprehensive public opinion coverage ever provided for a mid-term election|access-date=December 20, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060713152910/http://www.rasmussenreports.com/2006/State%20Polls/July%202006/montanaSenate.htm|archive-date=July 13, 2006|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}
Senator Conrad Burns of Montana faced a strong challenge from Brian Schweitzer in 2000, being re-elected by 3.4% in a state that went for Bush twice by margins of over 20%.{{Cite web |title=2000 Election Statistics |url=https://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/2000/2000Stat.htm |access-date=2024-06-01 |website=clerk.house.gov}}{{Cite web |date=1 June 2024 |title=2000 Presidential General Election Results - Montana |url=https://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/state.php?year=2000&off=0&elect=0&fips=30&f=0 |access-date=1 June 2024 |website=U.S. Election Atlas}} This, combined with the increasing strength of the state Democratic party{{Cite web |last=Saad |first=Lydia |date=28 June 2006 |title=Voters Seem Ready for a Change of Scenery in Congress |url=https://www.astrid-online.it/static/upload/protected/GALL/GALLUP_28_06_06.pdf |access-date=1 June 2024 |website=astrid-online.it}} and accusations of ethical issues related to the Jack Abramoff scandal,{{Cite web |last=Ydstie |first=John |date=27 March 2006 |title=Sen. Burns Scrutinized for Earmark Tied to Abramoff |url=https://www.npr.org/2006/03/27/5299944/sen-burns-scrutinized-for-earmark-tied-to-abramoff |access-date=1 June 2024 |website=NPR}} made this a highly competitive race.
On July 27, Burns was forced to apologize after he confronted out of state firefighters who were preparing to leave Montana after helping contain a summer forest fire and directly questioned their competence and skill; Burns was strongly criticized.{{cite web|url=http://www.newwest.net/index.php/city/article/10273/C8/L8|title=Conrad Burns Issues Apology for Altercation with Firefighters - Missoula - New West Network|access-date=December 20, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061226085513/http://www.newwest.net/index.php/city/article/10273/C8/L8|archive-date=December 26, 2006|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}
On August 31, in a letter faxed to the office of Montana governor Brian Schweitzer, Burns urged the governor, a Democrat, to declare a fire state of emergency and activate the Montana Army National Guard for firefighting. Schweitzer had already declared such a state of emergency on July 11 — thus, activating the Montana Army National Guard. He issued a second declaration on August 11. A Burns spokesman said the senator was "pretty sure" Schweitzer had already issued such a disaster declaration, but just wanted to make sure. "The genesis of the letter was just to make sure that all the bases were covered," Pendleton said. "This is not a political football. It's just a cover-the-bases letter and certainly casts no aspersions on the governor."{{cite web|url=http://www.helenair.com/articles/2006/09/01/montana/a09090106_02.txt|title=Burns urges Schweitzer to take steps already taken|first=Jennifer|last=McKee|date=2006-09-01|access-date=December 20, 2017}}
{{Election box begin
| title = Montana general election{{cite web|url=http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/2006/2006Stat.htm#26|title=2006 Election Statistics|website=clerk.house.gov|access-date=December 20, 2017}}}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| candidate = Jon Tester
| votes = 199,845
| percentage = 49.16%
| change = +1.92%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = Conrad Burns (incumbent)
| votes = 196,283
| percentage = 48.29%
| change = -2.27%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Libertarian Party (United States)
| candidate = Stan Jones
| votes = 10,377
| percentage = 2.55%
| change =
}}
{{Election box majority
| votes = 3,562
| percentage = 0.88%
| change = -2.44%
}}
{{Election box turnout
| votes = 406,505
| percentage =
| change =
}}
{{Election box gain with party link
| winner = Democratic Party (United States)
| loser = Republican Party (United States)
| swing =
}}
{{Election box end}}
Due to errors with polling machines the Montana count was delayed well into Wednesday November 8. The race was too close to call throughout the night and many pundits predicted the need for a recount. After a very close election, on November 9, incumbent Conrad Burns conceded defeat.{{cite web | url = https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6270464 | title = Sen. Burns Concedes Montana Race | date = November 9, 2006 | publisher = NPR }}{{dead link|date=November 2019|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}
Just before 11:00 am (MST) on November 8, Jon Tester was declared Senator-elect for Montana in USA Today.{{cite news | url = https://www.usatoday.com/news/politicselections/vote2006/MT/2006-11-08-montana-senate_x.htm | work = USA Today | title = Democrat challenger takes Montana | date = November 8, 2006 | access-date = May 27, 2010}} At 2:27 pm EST on November 8, CNN projected that Jon Tester would win the race.{{cite news | url = http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/11/08/election.senate/index.html | title = Democrat wins Montana Senate seat, CNN projects | work = CNN | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20061108230743/http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/11/08/election.senate/index.html | archive-date = November 8, 2006}}
Burns conceded the race on November 9, and congratulated Tester on his victory.{{cite news | url = https://www.usatoday.com/news/politicselections/vote2006/2006-11-09-burns-tester_x.htm | work = USA Today | title = Montana's Burns concedes Senate race | date = November 9, 2006 | access-date = May 27, 2010}}
The race was the closest Senate election of 2006 in terms of absolute vote difference; the closest race by percentage difference was the Virginia senate election.{{Cite web |date=1 June 2024 |title=Official Election Results for United States Senate (2006) |url=https://www.fec.gov/resources/cms-content/documents/2006senate.pdf |access-date=1 June 2024 |website=Federal Election Commission}}
{{Clear}}
Nebraska
{{Infobox election
| election_name = Nebraska election
| country = Nebraska
| type = presidential
| ongoing = no
| previous_election = 2000 United States Senate election in Nebraska
| previous_year = 2000
| next_election = 2012 United States Senate election in Nebraska
| next_year = 2012
| election_date =
| image_size = 125x136px
| image1 = Ben Nelson official photo.jpg
| nominee1 = Ben Nelson
| party1 = Democratic Party (United States)
| popular_vote1 = 378,388
| percentage1 = 63.9%
| image2 = Ricketts, Pete 2013-11-04a.JPG
| nominee2 = Pete Ricketts
| party2 = Republican Party (United States)
| popular_vote2 = 213,928
| percentage2 = 36.1%
| map_image = 2006 United States Senate election in Nebraska results map by county.svg
| map_size = 250px
| map_caption = Nelson: {{legend0|#7996e2|50–60%}} {{legend0|#6674de|60–70%}} {{legend0|#584cde|70–80%}}
Ricketts: {{legend0|#e27f7f|50–60%}}
| title = U.S. Senator
| before_election = Ben Nelson
| before_party = Democratic Party (United States)
| after_election = Ben Nelson
| after_party = Democratic Party (United States)
}}
{{Main|2006 United States Senate election in Nebraska}}
{{See also|List of United States senators from Nebraska}}
Incumbent Democrat Ben Nelson won re-election to a second term. As of 2021, this is the last Senate election in Nebraska won by a Democrat.
{{Election box begin no change
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Ben Nelson (Incumbent)
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes = 92,501
| percentage = 100.00%
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 92,501
| percentage = 100.00%
}}
{{Election box end}}
Republican Pete Ricketts, former COO of TD Ameritrade and future Governor of Nebraska financed his own campaign. His opponents could not raise enough money to keep up. Kramer raised $330,000 and Stenberg raised $246,000 in 2005.
{{Election box begin no change
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Pete Ricketts
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 129,643
| percentage = 48.14%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Don Stenberg
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 96,496
| percentage = 35.83%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = David J. Kramer
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 43,185
| percentage = 16.03%
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 269,324
| percentage = 100.00%
}}
{{Election box end}}
The primary election was held May 9, 2006. Pete Ricketts won the Republican nomination with 48% of the vote. Ben Nelson was unopposed for the Democratic nomination. Nelson was elected in 2000 by a margin of 51% to 49% after serving as the state's governor for two terms. Nelson, considered the most conservative Democrat in the Senate, was the lone Democrat in Nebraska's Congressional delegation. This election was one of the most expensive in Nebraska history. In 2005, Ben Nelson raised $3.9 million for his re-election campaign. Pete Ricketts contributed $14.35 million of his own money to his campaign; he raised an additional $485,000 in contributions. The race also attracted national attention and generated several high-level campaign appearances. President George W. Bush appeared at a rally for Ricketts on November 5, 2006, in Grand Island, while then-U.S. Senator Barack Obama appeared at a fundraiser for Nelson and other Nebraska Democrats on May 5, 2006, in Omaha. However, he won re-election by a wide margin.
{{Election box begin
| title = Nebraska general election{{cite web|url=http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/2006/2006Stat.htm#27|title=2006 Election Statistics|website=clerk.house.gov|access-date=December 20, 2017}}}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| candidate = Ben Nelson (incumbent)
| votes = 378,388
| percentage = 63.88%
| change = +12.88%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = Pete Ricketts
| votes = 213,928
| percentage = 36.12%
| change = -12.70%
}}
{{Election box majority
| votes = 164,460
| percentage = 27.77%
| change = +25.58%
}}
{{Election box turnout
| votes = 590,961
| percentage =
| change =
}}
{{Election box hold with party link
| winner = Democratic Party (United States)
| swing =
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Clear}}
Nevada
{{Infobox election
| election_name = Nevada election
| country = Nevada
| type = presidential
| ongoing = no
| previous_election = 2000 United States Senate election in Nevada
| previous_year = 2000
| next_election = 2012 United States Senate election in Nevada
| next_year = 2012
| election_date =
| image_size = 125x136px
| image1 = Sen John Ensign official(2).jpg
| nominee1 = John Ensign
| party1 = Republican Party (United States)
| popular_vote1 = 322,501
| percentage1 = 55.4%
| image2 = No image.svg
| nominee2 = Jack Carter
| party2 = Democratic Party (United States)
| popular_vote2 = 238,796
| percentage2 = 41.0%
| map_image = 2006 United States Senate election in Nevada results map by county.svg
| map_size = 200px
| map_caption = County results
Ensign: {{legend0|#e27f7f|50–60%}} {{legend0|#d75d5d|60–70%}} {{legend0|#d72f30|70–80%}}
| title = U.S. Senator
| before_election = John Ensign
| before_party = Republican Party (United States)
| after_election = John Ensign
| after_party = Republican Party (United States)
}}
{{Main|2006 United States Senate election in Nevada}}
{{See also|List of United States senators from Nevada}}
Incumbent Republican John Ensign won re-election to a second term over Democrat Jack Carter, Navy veteran and son of President Jimmy Carter.
{{Election box begin no change
| title = Democratic primary vote{{cite web|url=http://www.nvsos.gov/SOSelectionPages/results/2006StateWidePrimary/ElectionSummary.aspx|title=Elections Results: 2006 Statewide Primary - Election Coverage and Reports|website=nvsos.gov|access-date=December 20, 2017}}
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Jack Carter
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes = 92,270
| percentage = 78.30%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = None of these candidates
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes = 14,425
| percentage = 12.24%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Ruby Jee Tun
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes = 11,147
| percentage = 9.46%
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 117,842
| percentage = 100.00%
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin no change
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate = John Ensign (Incumbent)
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 127,023
| percentage = 90.47%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = None of these candidates
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 6,754
| percentage = 4.81%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Ed Hamilton
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 6,629
| percentage = 4.72%
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 140,406
| percentage = 100.00%
}}
{{Election box end}}
Popular Las Vegas mayor Oscar Goodman had said in January that he would probably run,{{cite web |url=http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/nevada/2006/jan/03/010310016.html |title=Las Vegas SUN: Reid: Las Vegas mayor discusses Senate bid |access-date=March 30, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060329110358/http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/nevada/2006/jan/03/010310016.html |archive-date=March 29, 2006 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }} but in late April, he decisively ruled that out.{{cite web|url=http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2006/Apr-20-Thu-2006/news/6951515.html|title=Las Vegas Review-Journal|website=Las Vegas Review-Journal|access-date=December 20, 2017}} Goodman did not file by the May 12, 2006, deadline. Carter's advantages included his formidable speaking abilities and kinship with a former U.S. president. On the other hand, Ensign was also considered to be an effective speaker and as of the first quarter of 2006, held an approximately 5–1 advantage over Carter in cash-on-hand.
{{Election box begin
| title = Nevada general election{{cite web|url=http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/2006/2006Stat.htm#28|title=2006 Election Statistics|website=clerk.house.gov|access-date=December 20, 2017}}}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = John Ensign (Incumbent)
| votes = 322,501
| percentage = 55.36%
| change = +0.27%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| candidate = Jack Carter
| votes = 238,796
| percentage = 40.99%
| change = +1.30%
}}
{{Election box None of These Candidates
| votes = 8,232
| percentage = 1.41%
| change = -0.50%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Independent American Party (Nevada)
| candidate = David K. Schumann
| votes = 7,774
| percentage = 1.33%
| change = +0.91%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Libertarian Party (United States)
| candidate = Brendan Trainor
| votes = 5,269
| percentage = 0.90%
| change = +0.01%
}}
{{Election box majority
| votes = 83,705
| percentage = 14.37%
| change = -1.03%
}}
{{Election box turnout
| votes = 582,572
| percentage =
| change =
}}
{{Election box hold with party link
| winner = Republican Party (United States)
| loser =
| swing =
}}
{{Election box end}}
Ensign won a majority of the votes in every county in the state, with his lowest percentage at 53%.{{Cite web |title=2006 Federal & State Election Results |url=https://www.nvsos.gov/sos/elections/election-information/2006-election-information/2006-federal-state-election-results |access-date=2024-06-01 |website=www.nvsos.gov}}
{{Clear}}
New Jersey
{{Infobox election
| election_name = New Jersey election
| country = New Jersey
| type = presidential
| ongoing = no
| previous_election = 2000 United States Senate election in New Jersey
| previous_year = 2000
| next_election = 2012 United States Senate election in New Jersey
| next_year = 2012
| election_date =
| image_size = 125x136px
| image1 = Robert_Menendez,_official_Senate_photo.jpg
| nominee1 = Bob Menendez
| party1 = Democratic Party (United States)
| popular_vote1 = 1,200,843
| percentage1 = 53.3%
| image2 = Rep. Tom Kean official photo, 118th Congress (cropped).jpg
| nominee2 = Thomas Kean, Jr.
| party2 = Republican Party (United States)
| popular_vote2 = 997,775
| percentage2 = 44.3%
| map_image = {{switcher |280px|County results |280px|Congressional district results |150px|Municipality results}}
| map_size = 250px
| map_caption = Menendez: {{legend0|#7996e2|50–60%}} {{legend0|#6674de|60–70%}} {{legend0|#584cde|70–80%}} {{legend0|#3933E5|80–90%}} {{legend0|#0D0596|90–100%}}
Kean: {{legend0|#ffb2b2|40–50%}} {{legend0|#e27f7f|50–60%}} {{legend0|#d75d5d|60–70%}} {{legend0|#D72F30|70–80%}} {{legend0|#C21B18|80–90%}}
| title = U.S. Senator
| before_election = Bob Menendez
| before_party = Democratic Party (United States)
| after_election = Bob Menendez
| after_party = Democratic Party (United States)
}}
{{Main|2006 United States Senate election in New Jersey}}
{{See also|List of United States senators from New Jersey}}
Incumbent Democrat Bob Menendez was elected for a full term. The seat was previously held by Democratic Governor of New Jersey Jon Corzine. After Corzine resigned and was sworn in Governor, Corzine appointed Congressman Menendez on January 18, 2006. Menendez was challenged by Republican Thomas Kean, Jr. and seven other candidates. Filing for the primary closed on April 10, 2006. The primary election was held June 6, 2006.[http://www.politics1.com/nj.htm New Jersey Election Deadlines], Politics1.com, accessed June 7, 2006 Menendez became the first Hispanic to hold a U.S. Senate seat from New Jersey, and was the first Latino elected to statewide office in the state.
Menendez won the Democratic primary, with 86% of the vote, against James D. Kelly, Jr.
Republican John P. Ginty, associate director with Standard & Poor's represented the conservative wing of the New Jersey Republican party. Kean was a moderate, and the son of the former Governor of New Jersey Thomas Kean. Kean won the primary by a 3–1 margin.[http://www.globalindices.standardandpoors.com/sandp/index.jsp?rp=about&pg=/about/organization.jsp S&P/Citigroup Global Equity Index Group], accessed July 2, 2006
The biggest factors in the New Jersey Senate race may have had little to do with the candidates involved and more to do with Governor of New Jersey Jon Corzine and President George W. Bush.
In mid-summer, Jon Corzine and the Democratic-controlled state legislature held a brief shutdown of state government, which ultimately resulted in a sales tax increase, among other things.
In a September 2006 poll, SurveyUSA found that Corzine received an approval rate of only 43%, with 48% of the state disapproving.{{cite web|url=http://www.surveyusa.com/50State2006/50StateGovernor060921State.htm|title=SurveyUSA - America's Neighborhood Pollster|website=surveyusa.com|access-date=December 20, 2017}} Since Menendez had been appointed by Corzine, some pundits argued that this would be a resonating factor with a number of voters.
According to a separate September 2006 poll, SurveyUSA found that the state of New Jersey had a rather high disapproval rating for Republican President George W. Bush, with 64% disapproving and only 32% approving.{{cite web|url=http://www.surveyusa.com/50State2006/50StateBushApproval060815Approval.htm|title=SurveyUSA - America's Neighborhood Pollster|website=surveyusa.com|access-date=December 20, 2017}} This led some to argue that voters would take their discontent with Bush out on Kean in the November election.Peter J. Woolley and Dan Cassino, "Bush Withers Republican in Garden State Senate Race," The Polling Report, Vol. 22, No. 16 (August 28, 2006), pp. 1, 7–8.
Indeed, some pollsters demonstrated that concerns over the Iraq War and discontent with President Bush solidified the Democratic base in October's advertising blitz, and won over enough independents to seal of fate of the Republican nominee.Dan Cassino, Krista Jenkins and Peter J. Woolley, "[https://archive.today/20120715033333/http://surveypractice.org/2008/11/25/measuring-%E2%80%9Cwhat-if%E2%80%9D-standard-versus-priming-methods-for-polling-counterfactuals/%23more-435 Measuring "What if?" Standard versus priming methods for polling counterfactuals]," Survey Practice. Vol. I, No. 4, Nov. 2008. On the eve of the election, Fairleigh Dickinson University's PublicMind Poll reported that 65% likely voters said that the US invasion of Iraq was a mistake, "including nine of ten Democrats and six of ten independents."FDU PublicMind, "[http://publicmind.fdu.edu/heavily/ Iraq Weighs Heavily on New Jersey Voters]," November 1, 2006. Retrieved 04.25.11. Observers also pointed out that "from the beginning, [Menendez] made much of his 2002 vote against the Iraq War Resolution, often referring to it as one of the most important votes of his career. He made it clear as well that he intended to make the race a referendum on the President."Peter J. Woolley and Dan Cassino, "Why Menendez Won," The Polling Report, Vol. 22, No. 22, (November 27, 2006), pp. 1, 5–6.
Others attributed Kean's early strong showing in the polls of this blue state to uninformed voters confusing the three-year state senator with his father, the popular former governor and 9/11 Commission chairman.Fred Snowflack, [https://archive.today/20130121064151/http://www.dailyrecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060906/COLUMNISTS01/609060311/1100/NEWS01 "Some are confusing Kean Jr. with his dad"], Daily Record (Morristown), September 6, 2006
Because of Kean's perceived liberalism on social issues, he has been labeled by some conservatives as a "Republican in Name Only".[http://republicansenate.org/?p=348 Republican Senate.org] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303184129/http://republicansenate.org/?p=348 |date=March 3, 2016 }} (April 10, 2006)
On June 13, 2006, Kean held a fundraiser in Ocean County featuring First Lady Laura Bush. It was here that both Senator Kean and Mrs. Bush pointed out that Kean is not George W. Bush, claiming that Senator Menendez seems to confuse the two.[https://web.archive.org/web/20201016204759/https://www.nj.com/search/index.ssf?/base/news-3/1149914789265090.xml?starledger?nnj&coll=1 "Kean draws Laura Bush for Campaign Fundraiser"], Star-Ledger, June 10, 2006
On June 16, 2006, at a New Jersey Association of Counties speaking event in Atlantic City, Kean and his aides beat a hasty retreat from the ballroom engagement and "stampeded" into an elevator in an abortive attempt to avoid the press, only to exit on the same floor as they had entered. Kean declined to answer questions about the scathing attacks on his integrity which his opponent had delivered minutes earlier, instead opting to repeat "a few slogans."Josh Gohlke, [http://www.northjersey.com/page.php?qstr=eXJpcnk3ZjczN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXkzJmZnYmVsN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXk2OTQ5MzI4JnlyaXJ5N2Y3MTdmN3ZxZWVFRXl5Mg== "Kean ducks confrontation"], The Record (Bergen County), June 17, 2006
In late June, the Associated Press reported that Kean's campaign was planning a "Swift Boat"-style film accusing Menendez of involvement in a New Jersey mob-connected kickback scheme "despite public records and statements disputing that claim." The AP article noted that "[f]our former federal prosecutors who oversaw the case have said Menendez was never involved in any wrongdoing."[http://www.foxnews.com/printer_friendly_wires/2006Jun30/0,4675,NewJerseySenate,00.html "GOP's Kean Plans 'Swift Boat'-Style Film"], Associated Press, June 30, 2006 The airing of unsubstantiated {{by whom|date=November 2021}} allegations years or even decades old is a hallmark of the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth campaign attack style, which gained notoriety during the 2004 U.S. presidential election.
In mid-September, The Star-Ledger reported that Sen. Menendez had declined a national debate with Kean on the popular Sunday morning talk-show, Meet the Press. A Menendez spokesperson stated that the incumbent Democrat would prefer to focus on local citizens and press. Menendez did agree to take place in three locally aired debates with Kean, which will be aired between October 7–17.[http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/jersey/index.ssf?/base/news-4/1158212896223780.xml&coll=1 "Menendez declines national debate"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303205122/http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/jersey/index.ssf?%2Fbase%2Fnews-4%2F1158212896223780.xml&coll=1 |date=March 3, 2016 }}, The Star-Ledger, September 14, 2006 Kean withdrew from one of the scheduled debates to which he had previously committed, an October 14, 2006, debate sponsored by the League of Women Voters, insisting on a national TV debate as a condition of his participation.[http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/jersey/index.ssf?/base/news-4/1159937582298970.xml&coll=1 "Kean demands adding a national TV debate vs. Menendez"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303212710/http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/jersey/index.ssf?%2Fbase%2Fnews-4%2F1159937582298970.xml&coll=1 |date=March 3, 2016 }}, The Star-Ledger, October 4, 2006
Both candidates agreed to participate in a virtual debate sponsored by the nonpartisan Hall Institute of Public Policy - New Jersey which provided "an unprecedented opportunity for candidates and citizens to engage in an interactive forum on the important issues confronting" New Jersey. Beginning in July and running through Election Day in November, the institute submitted questions to the candidates and then posted their responses on its website.[http://www.hallnj.org/virtualdebate/debate_about.jsp Hall Institute of Public Policy - NJ] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081120021552/http://www.hallnj.org/virtualdebate/debate_about.jsp |date=November 20, 2008 }}, accessed September 12, 2006
{{Election box begin
| title = New Jersey general election[http://www.state.nj.us/lps/elections/2006results/06generalelection/2006_official-senate_tallies.pdf Official List: Candidates for US Senate For November 2006 General Election] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071126194306/http://www.state.nj.us/lps/elections/2006results/06generalelection/2006_official-senate_tallies.pdf |date=November 26, 2007 }}, New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety, Division of Elections, dated December 4, 2006. Accessed September 26, 2007.}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| candidate = Bob Menendez (Incumbent)
| votes = 1,200,843
| percentage = 53.3%
| change = +3.1%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = Thomas Kean, Jr.
| votes = 997,775
| percentage = 44.3%
| change = -2.8%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Libertarian Party (United States)
| candidate = Len Flynn
| votes = 14,637
| percentage = 0.7%
| change = +0.4%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = US Marijuana Party
| candidate = Edward Forchion
| votes = 11,593
| percentage = 0.5%
| change =
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Independent
| candidate = J.M. Carter
| votes = 7,918
| percentage = 0.4%
| change = +0.2%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Independent
| candidate = N. Leonard Smith
| votes = 6,243
| percentage = 0.3%
| change =
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Independent
| candidate = Daryl Brooks
| votes = 5,138
| percentage = 0.2%
| change =
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Socialist Workers Party (United States)
| candidate = Angela Lariscy
| votes = 3,433
| percentage = 0.2%
| change = +0.1%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Socialist Party USA
| candidate = Gregory Pason
| votes = 2,490
| percentage = 0.1%
| change = +0.0%
}}
{{Election box majority
| votes = 203,068
| percentage = 9.0%
| change =
}}
{{Election box turnout
| votes = 2,250,070
| percentage =
| change =
}}
{{Election box hold with party link
| winner = Democratic Party (United States)
| loser =
| swing = 3.26%
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Clear}}
New Mexico
{{Infobox election
| election_name = New Mexico election
| country = New Mexico
| type = presidential
| ongoing = no
| previous_election = 2000 United States Senate election in New Mexico
| previous_year = 2000
| next_election = 2012 United States Senate election in New Mexico
| next_year = 2012
| election_date =
| image_size = 125x136px
| image1 = Jeff Bingaman.jpg
| nominee1 = Jeff Bingaman
| party1 = Democratic Party (United States)
| popular_vote1 = 394,365
| percentage1 = 70.6%
| image2 = McCulloch (148013470).jpg
| nominee2 = Allen McCulloch
| party2 = Republican Party (United States)
| popular_vote2 = 163,826
| percentage2 = 29.3%
| map_image = 2006 United States Senate election in New Mexico results map by county.svg
| map_size = 200px
| map_caption = County results
Bingaman: {{legend0|#7996e2|50–60%}} {{legend0|#6674de|60–70%}} {{legend0|#584cde|70–80%}} {{legend0|#3933e5|80–90%}}
| title = U.S. Senator
| before_election = Jeff Bingaman
| before_party = Democratic Party (United States)
| after_election = Jeff Bingaman
| after_party = Democratic Party (United States)
}}
{{Main|2006 United States Senate election in New Mexico}}
{{See also|List of United States senators from New Mexico}}
Incumbent Democrat Jeff Bingaman won re-election to a fifth term.
{{Election box begin no change
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Jeff Bingaman (Incumbent)
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes = 115,198
| percentage = 100.00%
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 115,198
| percentage = 100.00%
}}
{{Election box end}}
David Pfeffer, Santa Fe City Councilman announced on August 23, 2005, that he would be entering the primary. A former Democrat, he supported George W. Bush in 2004 and became a Republican in 2005. In his campaign announcement, Pfeffer focused mainly on border controls with Mexico. He criticised Bingaman in comparison to his own support for reform of the Social Security system and the Iraq War as well as U.S. relations with China, saying "With all due respect, I do not believe the present occupier of the junior seat from New Mexico is doing all that can and should be done on these fronts," he said of Bingaman. "I believe I can do a better job ... " Pfeffer also commented that he would have a hard time raising an amount equivalent to Senator Bingaman, a problem faced by any of the latter's potential challengers.
{{Election box begin no change
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Allen McCulloch
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 29,592
| percentage = 51.04%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Joseph J. Carraro
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 18,312
| percentage = 31.59%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = David Pfeffer
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 10,070
| percentage = 17.37%
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 57,974
| percentage = 100.00%
}}
{{Election box end}}
Bingaman had a 60% approval rating in one poll.{{cite web|url=http://www.surveyusa.com/client/PollReport.aspx?g=afc3d8d2-c9df-4385-9ccb-c3db16c7d9bb|title=SurveyUSA News Poll #5984|website=surveyusa.com|access-date=December 20, 2017}} He faced no primary opposition. There had been speculation that Bingaman would give up the chance to run for another term to become a lobbyist.
{{Election box begin
| title = New Mexico general election{{cite web|url=http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/2006/2006Stat.htm#31|title=2006 Election Statistics|website=clerk.house.gov|access-date=December 20, 2017}}}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| candidate = Jeff Bingaman (Incumbent)
| votes = 394,365
| percentage = 70.61%
| change = +8.90%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = Allen McCulloch
| votes = 163,826
| percentage = 29.33%
| change = -8.92%
}}
{{Election box candidate
| party = Write-ins
| candidate =
| votes = 376
| percentage = 0.06%
| change =
}}
{{Election box majority
| votes = 230,539
| percentage = 41.27%
| change = +17.83%
}}
{{Election box turnout
| votes = 558,567
| percentage =
| change =
}}
{{Election box hold with party link
| winner = Democratic Party (United States)
| loser =
| swing =
}}
{{Election box end}}
Bingaman won every county in the state with at least 56% of the vote.
{{Clear}}
New York
{{Infobox election
| election_name = New York election
| country = New York
| type = presidential
| ongoing = no
| previous_election = 2000 United States Senate election in New York
| previous_year = 2000
| next_election = 2010 United States Senate special election in New York
| next_year = 2010 (special)
| election_date =
| image_size = 125x136px
| image1 = Hillary Rodham Clinton-cropped.jpg
| nominee1 = Hillary Rodham Clinton
| party1 = Democratic Party (United States)
| popular_vote1 = 3,008,428
| percentage1 = 67.0%
| image2 = No image.svg
| nominee2 = John Spencer
| party2 = Republican Party (United States)
| popular_vote2 = 1,392,189
| percentage2 = 31.0%
| map_image = 2006 United States Senate election in New York results map by county.svg
| map_size = 300px
| map_caption = County results
Clinton: {{legend0|#7996e2|50–60%}} {{legend0|#6674de|60–70%}} {{legend0|#584cde|70–80%}} {{legend0|#3933e5|80–90%}}
Spencer: {{legend0|#ffb2b2|40–50%}} {{legend0|#e27f7f|50–60%}}
| title = U.S. Senator
| before_election = Hillary Rodham Clinton
| before_party = Democratic Party (United States)
| after_election = Hillary Rodham Clinton
| after_party = Democratic Party (United States)
}}
{{Main|2006 United States Senate election in New York}}
{{See also|List of United States senators from New York}}
Incumbent Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton won by a more than two-to-one margin. Clinton was challenged by Republican John Spencer, a former Mayor of Yonkers, New York.
{{Election box begin no change
| title = Democratic primary
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Hillary Rodham Clinton (Incumbent)
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes = 640,955
| percentage = 83.00%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Jonathan B. Tasini
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes = 124,999
| percentage = 17.00%
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 765,954
| percentage = 100.00%
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin no change
| title = New York Republican Senate primary results 2006
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate = John Spencer
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 114,914
| percentage = 60.79%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = K.T. McFarland
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 74,108
| percentage = 39.21%
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 189,022
| percentage = 100%
}}
{{Election box end}}
Clinton spent $36 million for her re-election, more than any other candidate for Senate in the 2006 elections.
On November 7, 2006, Clinton won easily, garnering 67% of the vote to Spencer's 31%. The election was not close, with Clinton winning 58 of New York's 62 counties. Clinton had a surprisingly strong performance in upstate New York which tends to be a tossup. When Clinton's upstate margins combined with her huge numbers out of New York City, there was no coming back for the Republicans. Clinton was sworn in for what would be her last term in the Senate, serving from January 3, 2007, to January 21, 2009, when she assumed the office of United States Secretary of State.
{{Election box begin
| title = New York general election{{cite web|url=http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/2006election.pdf|title=Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 7, 2006|access-date=December 20, 2017}}{{cite web|title=NYS Board of Elections US Senate Election Returns Nov. 7, 2006|url=http://www.elections.ny.gov/NYSBOE/elections/2006/general/2006_ussen.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120822221220/http://www.elections.ny.gov/NYSBOE/elections/2006/general/2006_ussen.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 22, 2012|date=August 22, 2012|access-date=December 20, 2017}}}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| candidate = Hillary Rodham Clinton
| votes = 2,698,931
| percentage =
| change =
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Independence Party (New York)
| candidate = Hillary Rodham Clinton
| votes = 160,705
| percentage =
| change =
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Working Families Party
| candidate = Hillary Rodham Clinton
| votes = 148,792
| percentage =
| change =
}}
{{Election box candidate
| party = total
| candidate = Hillary Rodham Clinton (Incumbent)
| votes = 3,008,428
| percentage = 67.0
| change = +11.7%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = John Spencer
| votes = 1,212,902
| percentage =
| change =
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Conservative Party (New York)
| candidate = John Spencer
| votes = 179,287
| percentage =
| change =
}}
{{Election box candidate
| party = total
| candidate = John Spencer
| votes = 1,392,189
| percentage = 31.0%
| change = -12.0%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Green Party (United States)
| candidate = Howie Hawkins
| votes = 55,469
| percentage = 1.2%
| change = +0.6%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Libertarian Party (United States)
| candidate = Jeff Russell
| votes = 20,996
| percentage = 0.5%
| change = +0.4%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Socialist Equality Party (United States)
| candidate = Bill Van Auken
| votes = 6,004
| percentage = 0.1%
| change = n/a
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Socialist Workers Party (United States)
| candidate = Roger Calero
| votes = 6,967
| percentage = 0.2%
| change = +0.2%
}}
{{Election box majority
| votes = 1,616,239
| percentage = 36.0%
| change =
}}
{{Election box turnout
| votes = 4,490,053
| percentage = 38.48%
| change =
}}
{{Election box hold with party link
| winner = Democratic Party (United States)
| loser =
| swing = +11.9
}}
{{Election box end}}
:Percentages do not add to 100% due to rounding.
:Clinton and Spencer totals include their minor party line votes: Independence Party and Working Families Party for Clinton, Conservative Party for Spencer.
:In addition, 213,777 ballots were blank, void, or scattered, and are not included in the Turnout sum or percentages.
{{Clear}}
North Dakota
{{Infobox election
| election_name = North Dakota election
| country = North Dakota
| type = presidential
| ongoing = no
| previous_election = 2000 United States Senate election in North Dakota
| previous_year = 2000
| next_election = 2012 United States Senate election in North Dakota
| next_year = 2012
| election_date =
| image_size = 125x136px
| image1 = Kent Conrad official portrait.jpg
| nominee1 = Kent Conrad
| party1 = North Dakota Democratic–Nonpartisan League Party
| popular_vote1 = 150,146
| percentage1 = 68.8%
| image2 = No image.svg
| nominee2 = Dwight Grotberg
| party2 = Republican Party (United States)
| popular_vote2 = 64,417
| percentage2 = 29.5%
| map_image = 2006 United States Senate election in North Dakota results map by county.svg
| map_size = 250px
| map_caption = County results
Conrad: {{legend0|#7996e2|50–60%}} {{legend0|#6674de|60–70%}} {{legend0|#584cde|70–80%}} {{legend0|#3933e5|80–90%}}
| title = U.S. Senator
| before_election = Kent Conrad
| before_party = North Dakota Democratic–Nonpartisan League Party
| after_election = Kent Conrad
| after_party = North Dakota Democratic–Nonpartisan League Party
}}
{{Main|2006 United States Senate election in North Dakota}}
{{See also|List of United States senators from North Dakota}}
Incumbent Dem-NPL-er Kent Conrad won re-election to a fourth term, beating Republican farmer Dwight Grotberg.
Popular Republican governor John Hoeven was heavily recruited by prominent national Republicans, including Karl Rove and Dick Cheney to run against Conrad. SurveyUSA polls showed that both Conrad and Hoeven had among the highest approval ratings of any Senators and governors in the nation. A poll conducted by PMR (8/26-9/3 MoE 3.9) for The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead had as result for a hypothetical matchup: Hoeven-35%, Conrad-27%, Uncommitted-38%. This poll showed voter conflict between two very popular politicians in a small state where party loyalty is often trumped by personality. In late September 2005, Hoeven formally declined.{{cite news|last1=Wetzel|first1=Dave | title = North Dakota governor not running for U.S. Senate | url = http://www.grandforks.com/mld/grandforks/12785768.htm | access-date = January 25, 2016 | work = Grand Forks Herald | agency = Associated Press | date = September 30, 2005 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20051211144803/http://www.grandforks.com/mld/grandforks/12785768.htm | archive-date = December 11, 2005}} Hoeven ran for the Senate in 2010 and was elected.
{{Election box begin
| title = North Dakota general election
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link
| party = North Dakota Democratic–Nonpartisan League Party
| candidate = Kent Conrad (Incumbent)
| votes = 150,146
| percentage = 68.8%
| change = +7.4%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = Dwight Grotberg
| votes = 64,417
| percentage = 29.5%
| change = -9.1%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Independent
| candidate = Roland Riemers
| votes = 2,194
| percentage = 1.0%
| change = n/a
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Independent
| candidate = James Germalic
| votes = 1,395
| percentage = 0.6%
| change = n/a
}}
{{Election box majority
| votes = 85,729
| percentage = 39.3%
| change =
}}
{{Election box turnout
| votes = 218,154
| percentage = 44.5%
| change =
}}
{{Election box hold with party link
| winner = Democratic Party (United States)
| loser =
| swing = +8.3
}}
{{End}}
Conrad won at least 53% of the vote in every county in the state.
{{Clear}}
Ohio
{{Infobox election
| election_name = Ohio election
| country = Ohio
| type = presidential
| ongoing = no
| previous_election = 2000 United States Senate election in Ohio
| previous_year = 2000
| next_election = 2012 United States Senate election in Ohio
| next_year = 2012
| election_date =
| image_size = 125x136px
| turnout = 53.25% (Registered Voters)
| image1 = Sherrod Brown, official Senate photo portrait, 2007.jpg
| nominee1 = Sherrod Brown
| party1 = Democratic Party (United States)
| popular_vote1 = 2,257,369
| percentage1 = 56.2%
| image2 = Mike DeWine official photo.jpg
| nominee2 = Mike DeWine
| party2 = Republican Party (United States)
| popular_vote2 = 1,761,037
| percentage2 = 43.8%
| map_image = 2006 United States Senate election in Ohio results map by county.svg
| map_size = 200px
| map_caption = Brown: {{legend0|#7996e2|50–60%}} {{legend0|#6674de|60–70%}} {{legend0|#584cde|70–80%}}
DeWine: {{legend0|#e27f7f|50–60%}} {{legend0|#d75d5d|60–70%}}
| title = U.S. Senator
| before_election = Mike DeWine
| before_party = Republican Party (United States)
| after_election = Sherrod Brown
| after_party = Democratic Party (United States)
}}
{{Main|2006 United States Senate election in Ohio}}
{{See also|List of United States senators from Ohio}}
Incumbent Republican Mike DeWine ran for re-election but lost to Democratic congressman Sherrod Brown.{{cite news | url = https://www.cbsnews.com/news/democrats-score-first-senate-win/ | work = CBS News | title = Democrats Score First Senate Win | date = November 7, 2006}}
DeWine had approval ratings at 38%,{{cite web|url=http://surveyusa.com/50State2006/100USSenatorApproval061024Net.htm|title=SurveyUSA - America's Neighborhood Pollster|website=surveyusa.com|access-date=December 20, 2017|archive-date=December 1, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161201050516/http://www.surveyusa.com/50State2006/100USSenatorApproval061024Net.htm|url-status=dead}} making him the second most unpopular U.S. Senator, behind Pennsylvania Republican Rick Santorum, who was also up for re-election in 2006. Pre-election stories in the U.S. media suggested that the national Republican Party may have given up on saving Senator DeWine's senate seat before election date. Sherrod Brown, former Ohio Secretary of State and U.S. Representative from Ohio's 13th district was the Democratic candidate, and the eventual winner.
Paul Hackett, Iraq War veteran announced on February 13, 2006, that he would withdraw from the race, because national party leaders had decided that Sherrod Brown had a better chance against DeWine. The Plain Dealer (2/18/06) also reported that there had been concerns that Hackett might not have had enough money after the primary to run the statewide advertising customary for a Senate campaign.
{{Election box begin no change
| title = Democratic primary
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Sherrod Brown
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes = 583,776
| percentage = 78.11%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Merrill Kesier Jr.
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes = 163,628
| percentage = 21.89%
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 747,404
| percentage = 100.00%
}}
{{Election box end}}
Both Republican challengers, engineer William G. Pierce and David Smith, candidate for OH-02 in 2005, campaigned as conservative alternatives to DeWine, citing DeWine's support for legal abortion and his role as one of the Republican members of the Gang of 14 who compromised with Democrats in a dispute about judicial appointments. DeWine won the primary 71.82% of the votes.[https://web.archive.org/web/20060613150959/http://www.sos.state.oh.us/SOS/ElectionsVoter/results2006.aspx?Section=1695]
Because this race was targeted by Democrats, it made it all the more important to the GOP, who desired to retain Senate control. John McClelland, a spokesman for the Ohio Republican Party said, "It's vitally important to the Republican Party as a whole, so I think that's why you see the president coming to Ohio to support Mike DeWine. Phil Singer, a spokesman for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee said, "Mike DeWine Senior is in for the fight of his life, make no mistake about it".{{cite news | title = Bush visit all politics this time | first = Michael | last = Collins | work = The Kentucky Post | location = Covington, Kentucky | publisher = E. W. Scripps Company | date = February 23, 2006 | url = http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2006602230383 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060828020907/http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2006602230383 | archive-date = August 28, 2006}}
On July 14, 2006, DeWine's campaign began airing TV commercials depicting a smoking World Trade Center. "The senator was notified ... by a reporter at U.S. News & World Report that the image of the burning Twin Towers could not have depicted the actual event because the smoke was blowing the wrong way."[https://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/060719/19dewinead.htm Nation & World: DeWine blunder adds fuel to controversial September 11 ad - US News and World Report] {{webarchive | url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081012183114/http://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/060719/19dewinead.htm | title=DeWine blunder adds fuel to controversial September 11 ad | date = October 12, 2008}} DeWine's campaign admitted that the video was actually a still photo of the World Trade Center with smoke digitally added. He also was criticized for using an emotionally charged image to attack his challenger.{{Cite web |date=2006-07-20 |title=DeWine To Change 9/11 Ad Image - CBS News |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/dewine-to-change-9-11-ad-image/ |access-date=2024-06-01 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US}}
Another of DeWine's ads suggested that opponent Sherrod Brown did not pay his taxes for thirteen years. This claim led to the Associated Press reporting on October 19 that, "Several Ohio television stations have stopped airing a Republican ad because state documents contradict the ad's accusation that Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Sherrod Brown didn't pay an unemployment tax bill for 13 years." Brown produced a commercial citing these facts.{{cite web | url = http://sherrodbrown.com/pages/dishonest | title = Sherrod Brown | access-date = March 14, 2010 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080306133718/http://sherrodbrown.com/pages/dishonest | archive-date = March 6, 2008}} DeWine's ads were changed to state only that he had failed to pay his unemployment taxes until legal action was taken against him.
According to an article in the October 16, 2006, edition of The New York Times, top Republican party officials on the national level determined that DeWine would probably be defeated and were moving financial support from his race to other Republican senatorial candidates they felt were more likely to win.Adam Nagourney, [https://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/16/us/politics/16spend.html?_r=2&oref=slogin&pagewanted=print "In Final Weeks, G.O.P. Focuses on Best Bets"], The New York Times, October 16, 2006.
Brown was called the winner right when the polls closed at 7:30. DeWine had the second worst performance of a Republican incumbent in 2006. Only Rick Santorum in Pennsylvania had a worse performance. While DeWine was able to win rural counties in western Ohio, Brown managed to win most eastern Ohio counties, especially in heavily populated areas. DeWine's narrow 2,000 vote victory in Hamilton County which is home to Cincinnati, came nowhere close to making a dent in Brown's lead. Brown would go on to be re-elected in 2012 and again in 2018. Brown would lose reelection in 2024.
{{Election box begin
| title = Ohio general election
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| candidate = Sherrod Campbell Brown
| votes = 2,257,369
| percentage = 56.16%
| change = +20.0%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = Richard Michael DeWine (Incumbent)
| votes = 1,761,037
| percentage = 43.82%
| change = -15.8%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Independent
| candidate = Richard Duncan
| votes = 830
| percentage = 0.02%
| change = n/a
}}
{{Election box majority
| votes = 452,690
| percentage = 12.34%
| change =
}}
{{Election box turnout
| votes = 4,019,236
| percentage = 53.25%
| change =
}}
{{Election box gain with party link
| winner = Democratic Party (United States)
| loser = Republican Party (United States)
| swing = -17.9
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Clear}}
Pennsylvania
{{Infobox election
| election_name = Pennsylvania election
| country = Pennsylvania
| type = presidential
| ongoing = no
| previous_election = 2000 United States Senate election in Pennsylvania
| previous_year = 2000
| next_election = 2012 United States Senate election in Pennsylvania
| next_year = 2012
| election_date =
| image_size = 125x136px
| image1 = Senator Bob Casey official photo 2007 (cropped).jpg
| nominee1 = Bob Casey, Jr.
| party1 = Democratic Party (United States)
| popular_vote1 = 2,392,984
| percentage1 = 58.6%
| image2 = Rick Santorum official photo.jpg
| nominee2 = Rick Santorum
| party2 = Republican Party (United States)
| popular_vote2 = 1,684,778
| percentage2 = 41.3%
| map_image = 2006 United States Senate election in Pennsylvania results map by county.svg
| map_size = 250px
| map_caption = Casey: {{legend0|#7996e2|50–60%}} {{legend0|#6674de|60–70%}} {{legend0|#3933e5|80–90%}}
Santorum: {{legend0|#e27f7f|50–60%}} {{legend0|#d75d5d|60–70%}}
| title = U.S. Senator
| before_election = Rick Santorum
| before_party = Republican Party (United States)
| after_election = Bob Casey, Jr.
| after_party = Democratic Party (United States)
}}
{{Main|2006 United States Senate election in Pennsylvania}}
{{See also|List of United States senators from Pennsylvania}}
Incumbent Republican Rick Santorum ran for re-election to a third term, but was defeated by Bob Casey, Jr.James O'Toole. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. [http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05017/443573.stm "Santorum in cross hairs for 2006 election."] January 17, 2005. Accessed February 8, 2007. Casey was elected to serve between January 3, 2007, and January 3, 2013. Santorum trailed Casey in every public poll taken during the campaign. Casey's margin of victory (nearly 18% of those who voted) was the largest ever for a Democratic Senate nominee in Pennsylvania, and the largest margin of victory for a Senate challenger in the 2006 elections.Borys Krawczeniuk. The Times-Tribune. [http://www.thetimes-tribune.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=17442994&BRD=2185&PAG=461&dept_id=415898&rfi=6 "Casey dominated like no one before."] November 9, 2006. Accessed February 8, 2007.
Bob Casey, Jr., State Treasurer, former State Auditor General and son of former Governor Bob Casey, Sr.James O'Toole. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. [http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06128/688317-177.stm "Voters Guide 2006: 2 battle Casey for Democratic U.S. Senate nomination."] May 8, 2006. Accessed February 8, 2007. won the Democratic primary.Pennsylvania Department of State. [http://www.electionreturns.state.pa.us/ElectionsInformation.aspx?FunctionID=13&ElectionID=20&OfficeID=2 Commonwealth of PA - Elections Information.] Accessed February 8, 2007.
{{Election box begin
| title = Democratic primary, May 16, 2006{{cite web | title = PA US Senate- D Primary | url = http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=7362 | publisher = Our Campaigns | access-date = December 22, 2011}}{{cite web | title = PA US Senate- D Primary | url = http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=127072 | publisher = Our Campaigns | access-date = December 22, 2011}}}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| candidate = Bob Casey, Jr.
| votes = 629,271
| percentage = 84.5%
| change = N/A
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| candidate = Chuck Pennacchio
| votes = 66,364
| percentage = 8.9%
| change = N/A
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| candidate = Alan Sandals
| votes = 48,113
| percentage = 6.5%
| change = N/A
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| candidate = Others
| votes = 1,114
| percentage = 0.1%
| change = N/A
}}
{{Election box majority
|votes = 115,591
| percentage = 68.9%
| change = N/A
}}
{{Election box turnout
| votes = 744,862
| percentage =
| change = +1.3%
}}
{{Election box end}}
Santorum was unopposed in the Republican primary. Republican John Featherman (not to be confused with John Fetterman), who ran against Santorum in 2000 as a Libertarian, had been expected to challenge him in the 2006 Republican primary. However, Featherman withdrew his candidacy after a GOP petition challenge because he did not have the necessary number of signatures to get on the ballot.Kimberly Hefling, The Associated Press. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. [http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06075/671025.stm "Santorum's only GOP challenger bowing out of primary."] March 16, 2006. Accessed February 8, 2007.
Republican strategists took as a bad omen Santorum's primary result in 2006, in which he ran unopposed for the Republican nomination. Republican gubernatorial nominee Lynn Swann, also unopposed in the primary, garnered 22,000 more votes statewide than Santorum in the primary, meaning thousands of Republican voters abstained from endorsing Santorum for another Senate term. This may have been partly due to Santorum's support for Arlen Specter, over Congressman Pat Toomey in the 2004 Republican primary for the U.S. Senate. Even though Santorum was perceived to be only slightly less conservative than Toomey, he joined virtually all of the state and national Republican establishment in supporting the moderate Specter. This led many socially and fiscally conservative Republicans to consider Santorum's support of Specter to be a betrayal of their cause.{{cite news | url = http://www.nysun.com/article/41237 | title = Outside Santorum's Sanctum | author = Jerry Bowyer | newspaper = New York Sun | date = October 10, 2006 | access-date = November 28, 2017 | archive-date = January 19, 2008 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080119235739/http://www.nysun.com/article/41237 | url-status = dead }}{{cite magazine | url = http://www.nationalreview.com/moore/moore200404150838.asp | title = Santorum's Shame | author = Stephen Moore | magazine = National Review | date = April 15, 2004}}{{cite news | url = https://americasfuture.org/betrayal-in-pennsylvania/ | title = Betrayal in Pennsylvania | first = Timothy P. | last = Carney | publisher = AFF's Brainwash | date = November 1, 2009 }} However, Santorum said that he supported Specter to avoid risking a Toomey loss in the general election, which would have prevented President George W. Bush's judicial nominees from getting through the Senate. Santorum said Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito would not have been confirmed without the help of Specter, who was chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee at the time.{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-pn-santorum-dogged-by-specter-endorsement-in-iowa-20120102,0,7833929.story|title=In Iowa, Specter endorsement haunts Rick Santorum|first=Paul|last=West|date=January 2, 2012|access-date=December 20, 2017|via=LA Times}}
{{Election box begin
{{Election box winning candidate with party link
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| candidate = Bob Casey, Jr.
| votes = 2,392,984
| percentage = 58.64%
| change = +13.2%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = Rick Santorum (Incumbent)
| votes = 1,684,778
| percentage = 41.28%
| change = -11.1%
}}
{{Election box candidate
| party = Write-in
| candidate =
| votes = 3,281
| percentage = 0.08%
| change =
}}
{{Election box majority
| votes = 710,204
| percentage = 17.36%
| change = +10.5%
}}
{{Election box turnout
| votes = 4,081,043
| percentage =
| change =
}}
{{Election box gain with party link
| winner = Democratic Party (United States)
| loser = Republican Party (United States)
| swing = -24.4%
}}
{{Election box end}}
At 9:45 pm EST on Election Night, Santorum called Casey to concede defeat.Carrie Budoff and Emilie Lounsberry. The Philadelphia Inquirer. [http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/15954118.htm "Sen. Santorum loses in a landslide."] November 8, 2006. Accessed February 8, 2007.
{{Clear}}
Rhode Island
{{Infobox election
| election_name = Rhode Island election
| country = Rhode Island
| type = presidential
| ongoing = no
| previous_election = 2000 United States Senate election in Rhode Island
| previous_year = 2000
| next_election = 2012 United States Senate election in Rhode Island
| next_year = 2012
| image_size = 125x136px
| image1 = Senwhitehouse.jpg
| nominee1 = Sheldon Whitehouse
| party1 = Democratic Party (United States)
| popular_vote1 = 206,109
| percentage1 = 53.5%
| image2 = Lincoln Chafee official portrait.jpg
| nominee2 = Lincoln Chafee
| party2 = Republican Party (United States)
| popular_vote2 = 179,001
| percentage2 = 46.5%
| map = {{switcher
|County results
|Municipality results}}
| map_caption = Whitehouse: {{legend0|#7996e2|50–60%}} {{legend0|#6674de|60–70%}} {{legend0|#584cde|70–80%}}
Chafee: {{legend0|#e27f7f|50–60%}} {{legend0|#d75d5d|60–70%}}
| title = U.S. Senator
| before_election = Lincoln Chafee
| before_party = Republican Party (United States)
| after_election = Sheldon Whitehouse
| after_party = Democratic Party (United States)
}}
{{Main|2006 United States Senate election in Rhode Island}}
{{See also|List of United States senators from Rhode Island}}
The election was won by Sheldon Whitehouse, former Attorney General of Rhode Island and former U.S. Attorney for the District of Rhode Island.{{cite web | url = http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,228016,00.html | title = Democrat Whitehouse Beats Incumbent GOP Sen. Chafee in Rhode Island - Voting {{pipe}} Vote {{pipe}} 2006 Elections | publisher = FOXNews.com | date = November 7, 2006 | access-date = November 3, 2010}} Republican Lincoln Chafee was seeking re-election for a second full term to the seat he had held since 1999, when he was appointed to fill the vacancy created by the death of his father John Chafee. Lincoln Chafee won election to the seat in 2000.
Whitehouse was endorsed by U.S. Senator Jack Reed, U.S. Congressmen Jim Langevin and Patrick J. Kennedy, as well as by former candidate Matt Brown. Carl Sheeler, a former U.S. Marine, a business owner, and an adjunct professor of business, ran on a more progressive platform. Ultimately, however, Whitehouse would trounce his competition in the primary on September 12, winning his party's support by a large margin.
{{Election box begin no change
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Sheldon Whitehouse
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes = 69,290
| percentage = 81.53%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Christopher F. Young
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes = 8,939
| percentage = 10.52%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Carl Sheeler
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes = 6,755
| percentage = 7.95%
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 84,984
| percentage = 100.00%
}}
{{Election box end}}
Incumbent Lincoln Chafee was one of the most liberal members of the Republican Party in the Senate by 2006, and was challenged for the Republican nomination by Steve Laffey, Mayor of Cranston, who had criticized Chafee for his liberal voting record in the Senate. In early 2006, the Club for Growth, a pro-tax cut political action committee, sent a series of mailings to Rhode Island Republicans attacking Chafee's positions and voting record.
The national GOP supported Chafee in the primary campaign, believing that he was the most likely candidate to hold the seat in the general election. Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, John McCain of Arizona and Laura Bush appeared at fundraisers for Chafee, while Senator Bill Frist's PAC donated to Chafee. The National Republican Senatorial Committee also ran ads in the state supporting Chafee. Steve Laffey, however, picked up many endorsements from Republican town committees throughout Rhode Island, the national group Club for Growth, and former candidate for the party's presidential nomination Steve Forbes. On July 10, 2006, the National Republican Senatorial Committee filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission against Laffey, saying that he had included a political communication in tax bills mailed to residents of Cranston.{{cite web | url = http://www.gopsenators.com/nrscwebimages/Laffey-CityofCranston-FECComplaint.pdf | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060921212031/http://www.gopsenators.com/nrscwebimages/Laffey-CityofCranston-FECComplaint.pdf | url-status = dead | archive-date = September 21, 2006 | title = NRSC | publisher = Gopsenators.com | access-date = November 3, 2010 }}
{{Election box begin no change
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Lincoln Chafee (incumbent)
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 34,936
| percentage = 54%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Steve Laffey
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 29,547
| percentage = 46%
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 64,483
| percentage = 100.00%
}}
{{Election box end}}
Democrats believed that this was one of the most likely Senate seats to switch party control, due to the Democratic tilt of Rhode Island, as well as the fact that Chafee needed to expend part of his campaign fund to win the Republican primary election. Chafee's approval ratings also took a beating from his primary battle with Laffey and may have hurt him in the general election. Another factor that hurt Chafee was the fact that Whitehouse, the Democratic nominee, had a huge head start on him, as he was able to campaign with little opposition for at least half the year and had not had to contend with a major opponent until the general election campaign. Rhode Islanders' historically large disapproval ratings for President Bush and the Republican Party as a whole was another major hurdle for Chafee.
Whitehouse and Chafee very rarely disagreed on political issues. Socially, they agreed almost 100% of the time. Chafee was against the Bush tax cuts, indicating his ideology was liberal-leaning. On some fiscal issues they disagreed on such as on social security and free trade.{{cite web|url=http://www.issues2000.org/Senate/Sheldon_Whitehouse.htm|title=Sheldon Whitehouse on the Issues|website=issues2000.org|access-date=December 20, 2017}}{{cite web | url = http://www.ontheissues.org/Senate/Lincoln_Chafee.htm | title = Lincoln Chafee on the Issues | publisher = Ontheissues.org | access-date = November 3, 2010}}
{{Election box begin
| title = Rhode Island general election{{cite web|url=http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/2006/2006Stat.htm#39|title=2006 Election Statistics|website=clerk.house.gov|access-date=December 20, 2017}}}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| candidate = Sheldon Whitehouse
| votes = 206,043
| percentage = 53.52%
| change = +12.37%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = Lincoln Chafee (incumbent)
| votes = 178,950
| percentage = 46.48%
| change = −10.40%
}}
{{Election box majority
| votes = 27,093
| percentage = 7.04%
| change = −8.69%
}}
{{Election box turnout
| votes = 384,993
| percentage =
| change =
}}
{{Election box gain with party link
| winner = Democratic Party (United States)
| loser = Republican Party (United States)
| swing =
}}
{{Election box end}}
Whitehouse carried Providence County, which contains approximately 60% of the state's population, with 59% to Chafee's 41%. Chafee's strongest showing was in Washington County ("South County"), where he took 55% of the vote against Whitehouse's 45%. Chafee also took Kent County by a small margin, while Whitehouse was victorious by extremely slim margins in Bristol and Newport counties.
After the election, when asked by a reporter if he thought his defeat would help the country by giving Democrats control of Congress, he replied, "to be honest, yes."{{cite web |url=http://spectator.org/archives/2007/08/27/a-laffey-matter |title=The American Spectator : A Laffey Matter |access-date=November 22, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101128114347/http://spectator.org/archives/2007/08/27/a-laffey-matter |archive-date=November 28, 2010 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}
{{Clear}}
Tennessee
{{Infobox election
| election_name = Tennessee election
| country = Tennessee
| type = presidential
| ongoing = no
| previous_election = 2000 United States Senate election in Tennessee
| previous_year = 2000
| next_election = 2012 United States Senate election in Tennessee
| next_year = 2012
| election_date =
| image_size = 125x136px
| image1 = File:Bobcorker (cropped).jpg
| nominee1 = Bob Corker
| party1 = Republican Party (United States)
| popular_vote1 = 929,911
| percentage1 = 50.7%
| image2 = Harold Ford, Congressional photo portrait.jpg
| nominee2 = Harold Ford, Jr.
| party2 = Democratic Party (United States)
| popular_vote2 = 879,976
| percentage2 = 48.0%
| map_image = 2006 United States Senate election in Tennessee results map by county.svg
| map_size = 300px
| map_caption = Corker: {{legend0|#ffb2b2|40–50%}} {{legend0|#e27f7f|50–60%}} {{legend0|#d75d5d|60–70%}}
Ford: {{legend0|#a5b0ff|40–50%}} {{legend0|#7996e2|50–60%}} {{legend0|#6674de|60–70%}}
| title = U.S. Senator
| before_election = Bill Frist
| before_party = Republican Party (United States)
| after_election = Bob Corker
| after_party = Republican Party (United States)
}}
{{Main|2006 United States Senate election in Tennessee}}
{{See also|List of United States senators from Tennessee}}
Winner Bob Corker replaced Republican Bill Frist who retired upon the end of his second term in 2007. Corker was the Republican nominee, and the Democratic nominee was Harold Ford, Jr., U.S. Representative. The race between Ford and Corker was one of the most competitive Senate races of 2006, with Corker winning the race by less than three percent of the vote. Corker was the only non-incumbent Republican to win a U.S. Senate seat in 2006. Since 1994, the Republican Party has held both of Tennessee's Senate seats.
Ford is known nationally for his keynote address at the 2000 Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles, California, and for a challenge to Nancy Pelosi for leadership of the House Democrats. Rosalind Kurita, a six-term state Senator from Clarksville, Tennessee, dropped out of the race in early April 2006. No official reason was given, but Ford enjoyed substantial support from Democratic leaders in Washington and Nashville and held a substantial lead in fundraising. Ford won the Democratic nomination by a wide margin in the primary.{{cite web | url = http://www.commercialappeal.com/mca/politics/article/0,1426,MCA_1496_4892535,00.html | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060818040809/http://www.commercialappeal.com/mca/politics/article/0,1426,MCA_1496_4892535,00.html | archive-date = August 18, 2006 | title = Corker wins; Ford challenges him to debates | date = August 3, 2006}}
Only 11 percent of Tennesseans knew who Corker was when he began running for the Senate race.{{cite news | title = Haslam Has $2 Million In The Bank For Governor Bid | date = March 9, 2009 | url = http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_146420.asp | work = The Chattanoogan | access-date = October 19, 2008 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090313130244/http://chattanoogan.com/articles/article_146420.asp | archive-date = March 13, 2009 | url-status = dead | df = mdy-all }} All three Republicans had run statewide campaigns in the past, albeit unsuccessful ones: former U.S. Representative Ed Bryant for the 2002 Republican Senate nomination, losing to Lamar Alexander; businessman and former Mayor of Chattanooga Bob Corker for the U.S. Senate in 1994, losing to Frist in the Republican primary; and former U.S. Representative Van Hilleary for Tennessee Governor in 2002, losing to Democrat Phil Bredesen. Corker won the nomination by obtaining 48% of the primary vote to Bryant's 34% and Hilleary's 17%.
Not long after Corker's primary victory was assured, Ford, at a rally of his supporters attended by Bill Clinton, challenged Corker to seven televised debates across the state. In response, Corker said he will debate Ford but did not agree to Ford's request of seven debates. Both of Corker's primary opponents endorsed Corker immediately after they conceded the race.
Before a Corker press conference in Memphis on October 20, Ford approached Corker in a parking lot and confronted his opponent about Iraq in front of local news cameras, pointing out that some of Corker's fellow Republicans are changing their minds on the war and wanting to debate him about the issue. In response, Corker said, "I came to talk about ethics, and I have a press conference. And I think it's a true sign of desperation that you would pull your bus up when I'm having a press conference." Ford replied that he could never find Corker. Corker then walked away to his press conference.{{cite web | url = http://www.commercialappeal.com/mca/politics/article/0,1426,MCA_1496_5081744,00.html | title = Ford Jr. confronts Corker on Memphis parking lot about Iraq | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20061026232053/http://www.commercialappeal.com/mca/politics/article/0,1426,MCA_1496_5081744,00.html | archive-date = October 26, 2006}}
On November 2, Nielsen Monitor Plus indicated that the Corker campaign had purchased more television advertising than any other Senate candidate in the country through October 15.{{cite web | url = http://www.commercialappeal.com/mca/politics/article/0,1426,MCA_1496_5115877,00.html | title = Commercial Appeal : Memphis News, Business, Homes, Jobs, Cars, & Information | access-date = November 3, 2006 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070930154814/http://www.commercialappeal.com/mca/politics/article/0,1426,MCA_1496_5115877,00.html | archive-date = September 30, 2007}}
A particularly negative ad titled "Who Hasn't?" sponsored by the Republican National Committee ("RNC") that aired during the third and fourth weeks of October gained national attention and condemnation from both Ford and Corker. The ad portrayed a scantily clad white woman (Johanna Goldsmith) acting as a Playboy bunny who "met Harold at the Playboy party" and invites Ford to "call me".{{cite web | url = http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/nation/4282493.html | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20061103213257/http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/nation/4282493.html | archive-date = November 3, 2006 | title = Republican TV ad being denounced as racially divisive}}{{cite web | url = http://www.commercialappeal.com/mca/politics/article/0,1426,MCA_1496_5088986,00.html | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20061025220118/http://www.commercialappeal.com/mca/politics/article/0,1426,MCA_1496_5088986,00.html | archive-date = October 25, 2006 | title = Ford's move on Corker gets national attention}}
Responding to questions about the ad, a Ford spokesperson said that Ford went to a 2005 Playboy-sponsored Super Bowl party that was attended by more than 3,000 people,{{cite news | url = http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2006/10/26/MNGO5M02E11.DTL | title = GOP pulls ad versus black candidate | first = Robin | last = Toner | date = October 26, 2006 | work = The San Francisco Chronicle}} and Ford himself said that he likes "football and girls" and makes no apology for either.{{cite web | url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDPVBonzX9E | title = Harold Ford Jr. on His Playboy Party | date = October 24, 2006 | publisher = YouTube | access-date = January 11, 2012}}
{{Election box begin no change|title=Democratic primary results}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change|candidate=Harold Ford Jr.|party=Democratic Party (United States)|votes=333,789|percentage=79.10%}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change|candidate=Gary Gene Davis|party=Democratic Party (United States)|votes=41,802|percentage=9.91%}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change|candidate=John Jay Hooker|party=Democratic Party (United States)|votes=27,175|percentage=6.44%}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change|candidate=Charles Smith|party=Democratic Party (United States)|votes=14,724|percentage=3.49%}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change|candidate=Alvin Strauss|party=Democratic Party (United States)|votes=4,410|percentage=1.05%}}
{{Election box total no change|votes=421,900|percentage=100.00}}
{{Election box end}}{{Election box begin no change|title=Republican primary results}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change|candidate=Bob Corker|party=Republican Party (United States)|votes=231,541|percentage=48.13%}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change|candidate=Ed Bryant|party=Republican Party (United States)|votes=161,189|percentage=33.50%}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change|candidate=Van Hilleary|party=Republican Party (United States)|votes=83,078|percentage=17.27%}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change|candidate=Tate Harrison|party=Republican Party (United States)|votes=5,309|percentage=1.10%}}
{{Election box total no change|votes=481,117|percentage=100.00}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin|title=Tennessee general election{{cite web|url=http://www.state.tn.us/sos/election/results/2006-11/en4uss.pdf|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120418150855/http://www.state.tn.us/sos/election/results/2006-11/en4uss.pdf|archivedate=2012-04-18|title=General Election - United States Senate|date=November 7, 2006|website= Tennessee State Government}}}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link|party=Republican Party (United States)|candidate=Bob Corker|votes=929,911|percentage=50.71%|change=-14.39}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|party=Democratic Party (United States)|candidate=Harold Ford, Jr.|votes=879,976|percentage=47.99%|change=+15.78}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|party=Independent (United States)|candidate=Ed Choate|votes=10,831|percentage=0.59%|change=N/A}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|party=Independent (United States)|candidate=David Gatchell|votes=3,746|percentage=0.20%|change=N/A}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|party=Independent (United States)|candidate=Emory "Bo" Heyward|votes=3,580|percentage=0.20%|change=N/A}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|party=Independent (United States)|candidate=H. Gary Keplinger|votes=3,033|percentage=0.17%|change=N/A}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|party=Green Party (United States)|candidate=Chris Lugo|votes=2,589|percentage=0.14%|change=N/A}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|party=Write-in|candidate=|votes=29|percentage=0.00%|change=N/A}}
{{Election box majority|votes=49,935|percentage=2.72%|change=}}
{{Election box turnout|votes=1,833,695|percentage=47.49%|change=}}
{{Election box hold with party link|winner=Republican Party (United States)|loser=Democratic Party (United States)|swing=-14.39}}
{{Election box end}}{{Clear}}
Texas
{{Infobox election
| election_name = Texas election
| country = Texas
| type = presidential
| ongoing = no
| previous_election = 2000 United States Senate election in Texas
| previous_year = 2000
| next_election = 2012 United States Senate election in Texas
| next_year = 2012
| election_date =
| image_size = 125x136px
| image1 = Kay Bailey Hutchison, official photo 2.jpg
| nominee1 = Kay Bailey Hutchison
| party1 = Republican Party (United States)
| popular_vote1 = 2,661,789
| percentage1 = 61.7%
| image2 = BAR speech flags (cropped).jpg
| nominee2 = Barbara Ann Radnofsky
| party2 = Democratic Party (United States)
| popular_vote2 = 1,555,202
| percentage2 = 36.0%
| map_image = 2006 United States Senate election in Texas results map by county.svg
| map_size = 300px
| map_caption = County results
Hutchinson: {{legend0|#ffb2b2|40–50%}} {{legend0|#e27f7f|50–60%}} {{legend0|#d75d5d|60–70%}} {{legend0|#d72f30|70–80%}} {{legend0|#c21b18|80–90%}} {{legend0|#a80000|>90%}}
Radnofsky: {{legend0|#7996e2|50–60%}} {{legend0|#6674de|60–70%}} {{legend0|#584cde|70–80%}}
| title = U.S. Senator
| before_election = Kay Bailey Hutchison
| before_party = Republican Party (United States)
| after_election = Kay Bailey Hutchison
| after_party = Republican Party (United States)
}}
{{Main|2006 United States Senate election in Texas}}
{{See also|List of United States senators from Texas}}
Incumbent Republican Kay Bailey Hutchison won re-election to a third term over Democratic attorney Barbara Ann Radnofsky.
The Democratic nominee who had never run for public office was expected to face a robust challenge in the general election, especially in a state that has not elected a Democrat statewide since 1994 and against a historically popular Hutchison. Since neither Radnofsky nor her main opponent, Gene Kelly, had received a majority of votes in the Democratic primary, a runoff was held April 11, 2006, which Radnofsky won. Radnofsky's campaign platform is available on her website. [http://www.radnofsky.com] Scott Lanier Jameson won the Libertarian Party nomination at the party's state convention on June 10, 2006, defeating Timothy Wade and Ray Salinas. Arthur W. Loux, a Roman Forest City Councilman and a member of the Minutemen, was running as an independent.
Hutchison co-sponsored legislation supporting the creation of a constitutional amendment that would limit terms for senators but had been quoted saying that she would only leave after two terms if such a law applied to all senators.{{Cite web |last=Hamilton |first=Reeve |date=2009-11-17 |title=Working Overtime |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2009/11/17/hutchison-has-complex-history-with-term-limits/ |access-date=2024-06-01 |website=The Texas Tribune |language=en}} After deciding not to challenge Governor Rick Perry this year, as had been widely speculated, Hutchison was running for a third term.{{Cite web |last=Ramsey |first=Ross |date=2010-11-22 |title=Kay Será, Será |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2010/11/22/what-will-kay-bailey-hutchison-do-next/ |access-date=2024-06-01 |website=The Texas Tribune |language=en}} She had no opposition in the Republican primary and had approval ratings in the 60 percent range going into the General Election [http://www.surveyusa.com/client/PollReport.aspx?g=ca95974e-73b1-4317-ab3e-791e5ece016d], although they had been slipping rapidly.
{{Election box begin
| title = Texas general election{{cite web | date = November 7, 2006 | publisher = Texas Secretary of State | url = http://elections.sos.state.tx.us/elchist127_state.htm | title = 2006 General Election}}}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = Kay Bailey Hutchison (Incumbent)
| votes = 2,661,789
| percentage = 61.69%
| change = -4.65%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| candidate = Barbara Ann Radnofsky
| votes = 1,555,202
| percentage = 36.04%
| change = +3.69%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Libertarian Party (United States)
| candidate = Scott Jameson
| votes = 97,672
| percentage = 2.26%
| change = +1.10%
}}
{{Election box majority
| votes = 1,106,587
| percentage = 25.7%
| change =
}}
{{Election box turnout
| votes = 4,314,663
| percentage =
| change =
}}
{{Election box hold with party link
| winner = Republican Party (United States)
| loser =
| swing =
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Clear}}
Utah
{{Infobox election
| election_name = Utah election
| country = Utah
| type = presidential
| ongoing = no
| previous_election = 2000 United States Senate election in Utah
| previous_year = 2000
| next_election = 2012 United States Senate election in Utah
| next_year = 2012
| election_date =
| flag_year = 1913
| image_size = 125x136px
| image1 = Orrin Hatch, official 110th Congress photo.jpg
| nominee1 = Orrin Hatch
| party1 = Republican Party (United States)
| popular_vote1 = 356,238
| percentage1 = 62.5%
| image2 = Pete-portrait2-wiki (cropped).jpg
| nominee2 = Pete Ashdown
| party2 = Democratic Party (United States)
| popular_vote2 = 177,459
| percentage2 = 31.1%
| map_image = 2006 United States Senate election in Utah results map by county.svg
| map_size = 200px
| map_caption = County results
Hatch: {{legend0|#ffb2b2|40–50%}} {{legend0|#e27f7f|50–60%}} {{legend0|#d75d5d|60–70%}} {{legend0|#d72f30|70–80%}} {{legend0|#c21b18|80–90%}}
Ashdown: {{legend0|#a5b0ff|40–50%}}
| title = U.S. Senator
| before_election = Orrin Hatch
| before_party = Republican Party (United States)
| after_election = Orrin Hatch
| after_party = Republican Party (United States)
}}
{{Main|2006 United States Senate election in Utah}}
{{See also|List of United States senators from Utah}}
Incumbent Republican Orrin Hatch won re-election to a sixth term over Democrat Pete Ashdown, the founder and CEO of Utah's oldest Internet service provider, XMission.
{{Election box begin
| title = Utah general election{{cite web|url=http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/2006/2006Stat.htm#44|title=2006 Election Statistics|website=clerk.house.gov|access-date=December 20, 2017}}}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = Orrin Hatch (Incumbent)
| votes = 356,238
| percentage = 62.36%
| change = -3.22%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| candidate = Pete Ashdown
| votes = 177,459
| percentage = 31.06%
| change = -0.45%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Constitution Party (United States)
| candidate = Scott Bradley
| votes = 21,526
| percentage = 3.77%
| change =
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Personal Choice Party
| candidate = Roger Price
| votes = 9,089
| percentage = 1.59%
| change =
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Libertarian Party (United States)
| candidate = Dave Seely
| votes = 4,428
| percentage = 0.78%
| change = -1.35%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Green Party (United States)
| candidate = Julian Hatch
| votes = 2,512
| percentage = 0.44%
| change =
}}
{{Election box majority
| votes = 178,779
| percentage = 31.30%
| change = -2.77%
}}
{{Election box turnout
| votes = 571,252
| percentage =
| change =
}}
{{Election box hold with party link
| winner = Republican Party (United States)
| loser =
| swing =
}}
{{Election box end}}
Hatch won all but one county with 60% to 70% of the vote. Ashdown won the remaining one county by 342 votes.
{{Clear}}
Vermont
{{Infobox election
| election_name = Vermont election
| country = Vermont
| type = presidential
| ongoing = no
| previous_election = 2000 United States Senate election in Vermont
| previous_year = 2000
| next_election = 2012 United States Senate election in Vermont
| next_year = 2012
| election_date =
| image_size = 125x136px
| image1 = Bernie Sanders.jpg
| nominee1 = Bernie Sanders
| party1 = Independent
| popular_vote1 = 171,638
| percentage1 = 65.4%
| image2 = Tarrant1972.png
| nominee2 = Richard Tarrant
| party2 = Republican Party (United States)
| popular_vote2 = 84,924
| percentage2 = 32.3%
| map = {{switcher
|County results
|Municipality results}}
| map_caption = Sanders: {{legend0|#D9D9D9|40–50%}} {{legend0|#BDBDBD|50–60%}} {{legend0|#969696|60–70%}} {{legend0|#737373|70–80%}} {{legend0|#414042ff|80–90%}}
Tarrant: {{legend0|#E27F7F|50–60%}}
Tie: {{legend0|#d2b1d9|40–50%}}
| title = U.S. Senator
| before_election = Jim Jeffords
| before_party = Independent
| after_election = Bernie Sanders
| after_party = Independent
}}
{{Main|2006 United States Senate election in Vermont}}
{{See also|List of United States senators from Vermont}}
Incumbent Independent Jim Jeffords decided to retire rather than seek re-election to a fourth term in office and Bernie Sanders was elected to succeed him over Republican businessman Richard Tarrant.
Sanders represented Vermont's at-large House district as an independent, won the Democratic primary and then dropped out to run as an independent. Many Democratic politicians across the country endorsed Sanders, and no Democrat was on the ballot. The state committee of the Vermont Democratic Party voted unanimously to endorse Sanders.{{cite web|url=http://www.timesargus.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060911/NEWS/609110332/0/BUSINESS|title=Democratic primary is far from ordinary|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160405004341/http://www.timesargus.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20060911%2FNEWS%2F609110332%2F0%2FBUSINESS |archive-date=April 5, 2016|url-status=dead|date=September 11, 2006|work=Barre-Montpelier Times-Argus}} Sanders won the open seat with 65% of the vote.
Four candidates ran in the Democratic primary.M.D. Drysdale, [http://www.ourherald.com/news/2006-09-07/Front_Page/f02.html Primary Election Is Next Tuesday] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160716010811/http://www.ourherald.com/news/2006-09-07/Front_page/f02.html |date=July 16, 2016 }} (September 7, 2009). Herald. Sanders won the primary, but declined the nomination, leaving no Democratic nominee on the ballot. This victory ensured that no Democrat would appear on the general election ballot to split the vote with Sanders, an ally of the Democrats, who has been supported by leaders in the Democratic Party.Thursday, April 21, 2005, Bernard Sanders, 63, announces run for Vermont's U.S. Senate seat after Incumbent Independent Jim Jeffords announces his retirement.
In mid-August 2006, the campaign heated up considerably, with Tarrant fully engaged in heavy media advertising, most of which criticized Sanders's public stances. Tarrant ran several ads accusing Sanders of representing himself differently from his voting record in the House of Representatives, citing such examples as Sanders's votes against Amber Alert and against increased penalties for child pornography. Sanders responded with an ad stating that Tarrant's claims are "dishonest" and "distort my record" and presented what he viewed as more accurate explanations of his voting record.{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o40KE6gNNpk |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211222/o40KE6gNNpk |archive-date=2021-12-22 |url-status=live| title=How Bernie Sanders Responds to Negative, Mudslinging Attack Ads: Check the Facts! |date=July 7, 2015 | publisher=Youtube | access-date=January 1, 2020 }}{{cbignore}}
{{Election box begin
| title = Vermont general election{{cite web | url = http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=6963 | title = Our Campaigns - VT US Senate Race - Nov 07, 2006 | work = ourcampaigns.com | year = 2008 |access-date=August 25, 2015}}
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link
| party = Independent
| candidate = Bernie Sanders
| votes = 171,638
| percentage = 65.4%
| change = n/a
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = Richard Tarrant
| votes = 84,924
| percentage = 32.3%
| change = -33.2%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Independent
| candidate = Cris Ericson
| votes = 1,735
| percentage = 0.66%
| change = n/a
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Green Party (United States)
| candidate = Craig Hill
| votes = 1,536
| percentage = 0.59%
| change = n/a
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Independent
| candidate = Peter D. Moss
| votes = 1,518
| percentage = 0.58%
| change = n/a
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Liberty Union Party
| candidate = Peter Diamondstone
| votes = 801
| percentage = 0.31%
| change = -0.2%
}}
{{Election box candidate
| party = Write-ins
| candidate =
| votes = 267
| percentage = 0.10%
| change = 0%
}}
{{Election box majority
| votes = 86,741
| percentage = 33.1%
| change =
}}
{{Election box turnout
| votes = 262,419
| percentage = 100%
| change =
}}
{{Election box hold with party link
|winner = Independent
|swing =
}}
{{Election box end}}
Sanders won a majority of the votes in every county in the state, with 57% as his lowest county total.
{{Clear}}
Virginia
{{Infobox election
| election_name = Virginia election
| country = Virginia
| type = presidential
| ongoing = no
| previous_election = 2000 United States Senate election in Virginia
| previous_year = 2000
| next_election = 2012 United States Senate election in Virginia
| next_year = 2012
| election_date =
| image_size = 125x136px
| turnout = 44.0% (voting eligible){{cite web | url = http://elections.gmu.edu/Turnout_2006G.html | title = 2006 General Election Turnout Rates | publisher = George Mason University | author = Michael McDonald | date = December 28, 2011 | access-date = March 4, 2013 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130125091319/http://elections.gmu.edu/Turnout_2006G.html | archive-date = January 25, 2013}}
| image1 = Jim Webb official 110th Congress photo.jpg
| nominee1 = Jim Webb
| party1 = Democratic Party (United States)
| popular_vote1 = 1,175,606
| percentage1 = 49.6%
| image2 = George Allen official portrait.jpg
| nominee2 = George Allen
| party2 = Republican Party (United States)
| popular_vote2 = 1,166,277
| percentage2 = 49.2%
| map_image = 2006 United States Senate election in Virginia results map by county.svg
| map_size = 300px
| map_caption = Webb: {{legend0|#a5b0ff|40–50%}} {{legend0|#7996e2|50–60%}} {{legend0|#6674de|60–70%}} {{legend0|#584cde|70–80%}}
Allen: {{legend0|#ffb2b2|40–50%}} {{legend0|#e27f7f|50–60%}} {{legend0|#d75d5d|60–70%}} {{legend0|#d72f30|70–80%}}
| title = U.S. Senator
| before_election = George Allen
| before_party = Republican Party (United States)
| after_election = Jim Webb
| after_party = Democratic Party (United States)
}}
{{Main|2006 United States Senate election in Virginia}}
{{See also|List of United States senators from Virginia}}
Incumbent Republican George Allen ran for re-election to a second term, but lost in a narrow race to Democrat Jim Webb.
Allen, who previously served as Governor of Virginia and was considered a possible candidate for president in 2008, was running for his second term. Webb, a decorated Vietnam War veteran, writer and former Secretary of the Navy under Ronald Reagan won the Democratic nomination after being drafted by netroots activists, such as those at the blog Raising Kaine. Polls clearly favored Allen through mid-August, when he was caught on videotape on August 11 twice using an ethnic slur in reference to a Webb campaign volunteer, S.R. Sidarth, who is of Indian ancestry. Allen denied any prejudice in the comment, but his lead shrank considerably. Still, he led in most polls until late October, when several surveys showed Webb with a lead — mostly within the margin of error. The election was not decided until nearly 48 hours after the polls closed, when Allen, behind by a margin of about 0.3%, conceded on November 9, 2006. With all of the other Senate races decided, the outcome swung control of the Senate to the Democrats.{{cite news | url = http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/11/09/va.senate/index.html | title = Allen concedes, giving Senate control to Dems | publisher = CNN | date = November 9, 2006 | access-date = November 9, 2006 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20061110090955/http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/11/09/va.senate/index.html | archive-date = November 10, 2006}}
The week before the primary, businessman Harris Miller said a Webb campaign flier characterized him in an anti-Semitic way; Webb denied that it did.{{cite news | url = https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=2058881&CMP=OTC-RSSFeeds0312 | title = Flier Blasted on Drawing of Jewish Opponent | first = Bob | last = Lewis | date = June 9, 2006 | access-date = October 1, 2006| publisher = ABC News, the Associated Press}} {{Dead link | date = September 2010 | bot = H3llBot}}
{{Election box begin no change
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Jim Webb
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes = 83,298
| percentage = 53.47%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Harris Miller
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes = 72,486
| percentage = 46.53%
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 155,784
| percentage = 100.00%
}}
{{Election box end}}
Webb focused on his early and outspoken opposition to the war in Iraq, which Allen supported. In a September 4, 2002, opinion piece in The Washington Post, Webb wrote: "A long-term occupation of Iraq would beyond doubt require an adjustment of force levels elsewhere, and could eventually diminish American influence in other parts of the world."{{cite news | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn?pagename=article&node=&contentId=A34847-2002Sep3 | last = Webb | first = James | title = Heading for Trouble: Do we really want to occupy Iraq for the next 30 years? | newspaper = Washington Post | page = A21 | date = September 4, 2002 | access-date = October 28, 2006}} Webb's son, a U.S. Marine, served in Iraq.
Allen and Webb differed on other issues. Allen is anti-abortion; Webb supports abortion rights. Allen supported George W. Bush's tax cuts while Webb said more of the benefits should have gone to middle-class Americans.{{cite web | url = http://www.ontheissues.org/Senate/James_Webb.htm | title = James Webb on the Issues | publisher = OnTheIssues}} Both candidates supported the death penalty, right-to-work laws, and Second Amendment rights.
{{Election box begin
| title = Virginia general election{{cite web|url=http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/2006/2006Stat.htm#46|title=2006 Election Statistics|website=clerk.house.gov|access-date=December 20, 2017}}}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| candidate = Jim Webb
| votes = 1,175,606
| percentage = 49.59%
| change = +1.91%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = George Allen (Incumbent)
| votes = 1,166,277
| percentage = 49.20%
| change = -3.05%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Independent Greens (Virginia)
| candidate = Gail Parker
| votes = 26,102
| percentage = 1.10%
| change = +1.10%
}}
{{Election box candidate
| party = Write-ins
| candidate =
| votes = 2,460
| percentage = 0.10%
| change = +0.04%
}}
{{Election box plurality
| votes = 9,329
| percentage = 0.39%
| change = -4.19%
}}
{{Election box turnout
| votes = 2,370,445
| percentage =
| change =
}}
{{Election box gain with party link
| winner = Democratic Party (United States)
| loser = Republican Party (United States)
| swing =
}}
{{Election box end}}
Virginia has historically been one of the more Republican Southern states: for instance it was the only Southern state not to vote for Jimmy Carter in 1976, its congressional delegation was mostly conservative, with eight of eleven Congressmen and both Senators belonging to the Republican Party prior to the 2006 election. This made Virginia's Congressional delegation the most Republican of any Southern state. Despite this, Democrats had won the previous two gubernatorial races, in 2001 and 2005. The state's political majority has been changing from conservative white to a mixture of races, especially Hispanic. The state is increasingly diverse; it had the highest percentage of Asians (4.7%, according to the 2005 American Community Survey of the U.S. census) of any Southern state. 9.9% of Virginians are foreign-born.{{cite news | url = http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ACSSAFFFacts?_event=Search&geo_id=01000US&_geoContext=01000US&_street=&_county=&_cityTown=&_state=04000US51&_zip=&_lang=en&_sse=on&ActiveGeoDiv=geoSelect&_useEV=&pctxt=fph&pgsl=010&_submenuId=factsheet_1&ds_name=ACS_2005_SAFF&_ci_nbr=null&qr_name=null®=null%3Anull&_keyword=&_industry= | archive-url = https://archive.today/20200211180708/http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ACSSAFFFacts?_event=Search&geo_id=01000US&_geoContext=01000US&_street=&_county=&_cityTown=&_state=04000US51&_zip=&_lang=en&_sse=on&ActiveGeoDiv=geoSelect&_useEV=&pctxt=fph&pgsl=010&_submenuId=factsheet_1&ds_name=ACS_2005_SAFF&_ci_nbr=null&qr_name=null®=null:null&_keyword=&_industry= | url-status = dead | archive-date = 2020-02-11 | title = Virginia - Fact Sheet - American FactFinder | publisher = United States Census Bureau }}
Webb, like Governor Tim Kaine in 2005, won the four major fast-growing counties in Northern Virginia outside Washington, D.C.; Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William and Arlington. President Barack Obama carried Virginia by a 6.3% margin over Republican Senator John McCain.
When results began coming in, Allen quickly built a sizeable lead, which began to narrow as the night went on. With 90% of precincts reporting, Allen held a lead of about 30,000 votes [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EEuPyCDoQE], or about 1.5%. However, as votes began to come in from population-heavy Richmond, Webb narrowed the gap, and pulled ahead within the last 1 or 2% of precincts to report. Preliminary results showed Webb holding a lead of 8,942 votes,{{cite news | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/09/AR2006110900775_2.html | newspaper = The Washington Post | title = Democrats Take Control of Senate As Allen Concedes to Webb in Va | first1=Michael D. | last1=Shear | first2=Alec | last2=MacGillis | date = November 10, 2006 | access-date = May 27, 2010}} and many news organizations hesitated to call the election for either candidate until the next day. At 8:41 pm EST on November 8, AP declared Webb the winner.{{cite news | first1 = Liz | last1 = Sidoti | first2 = Bob | last2 = Lewis | url = https://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=514&u=/ap/20061109/ap_on_el_se/democrats_senate_6 | title = Democrats Take Control of the Senate | publisher = Associated Press (via Yahoo! News) | date = November 8, 2006 | access-date = November 9, 2006}}
In all Virginia elections, if the margin of defeat is less than half of a percentage point, the Commonwealth of Virginia allows the apparent losing candidate to request a recount, paid for by the local jurisdictions. If the margin of defeat is between one and one-half of a percentage point, the losing candidate is still entitled to request a recount, but must cover its expense.{{cite news | first = Joan | last = Lowy | url = https://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061108/ap_on_el_se/senate_recount | title = Recount likely in Virginia Senate race | publisher = Associated Press (via Yahoo! News) | date = November 8, 2006 | access-date = November 9, 2006}} {{Dead link | date = September 2010 | bot = H3llBot}}{{cite web | date = November 2006 | url = http://www.sbe.virginia.gov/cms/documents/Virginia_Recounts_-_The_Basics.doc | title = Virginia Recounts -- The Basics | format = DOC | work = Election Laws | publisher = Virginia State Board of Elections | access-date = November 8, 2006 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20061108225952/http://www.sbe.virginia.gov/cms/documents/Virginia_Recounts_-_The_Basics.doc | archive-date = November 8, 2006 | url-status = dead | df = mdy-all }}
Because the difference was less than 0.5%, George Allen could have requested a recount paid for by the government, but declined to make such a request. That was likely because:
- Even in large jurisdictions, recounts — such as those in Florida in 2000 and Washington's 2004 gubernatorial election — rarely result in a swing of more than 1,000 votes, and Allen was trailing by almost 10,000 in the initial count. In particular, almost all votes in this Virginia election were cast using electronic voting machines, whose results are unlikely to change in a recount.
- There was wide speculation that calling for a recount (and still losing) would give Allen a "sore loser" label, which would hurt his future election campaigns, including what some speculated might still involve a 2008 presidential run. However, after losing the senatorial election, on December 10, 2006, Allen announced that he would not be running for president in 2008.
{{Clear}}
Washington
{{Infobox election
| election_name = Washington election
| country = Washington
| type = presidential
| ongoing = no
| previous_election = 2000 United States Senate election in Washington
| previous_year = 2000
| next_election = 2012 United States Senate election in Washington
| next_year = 2012
| election_date =
| image_size = 125x136px
| image1 = Maria Cantwell, official portrait, 110th Congress (cropped).jpg
| nominee1 = Maria Cantwell
| party1 = Democratic Party (United States)
| popular_vote1 = 1,184,659
| percentage1 = 56.8%
| image2 = Mike McGavick.jpg
| nominee2 = Mike McGavick
| party2 = Republican Party (United States)
| popular_vote2 = 832,106
| percentage2 = 39.9%
| map_image = File:2006 United States Senate election in Washington results map by county.svg
| map_size = 250px
| map_caption = County results
Cantwell: {{legend0|#a5b0ff|40–50%}} {{legend0|#7996e2|50–60%}} {{legend0|#6674de|60–70%}}
McGavick: {{legend0|#ffb2b2|40–50%}} {{legend0|#e27f7f|50–60%}} {{legend0|#d75d5d|60–70%}}
| title = U.S. Senator
| before_election = Maria Cantwell
| before_party = Democratic Party (United States)
| after_election = Maria Cantwell
| after_party = Democratic Party (United States)
}}
{{Main|2006 United States Senate election in Washington}}
{{See also|List of United States senators from Washington}}
Incumbent Democrat Maria Cantwell won re-election to a second term.
The filing deadline was July 28, 2006, with the primary held September 19, 2006.{{cite web | url = http://www.politics1.com/wa.htm | title = Washington | author = Ron Gunzburger | date = March 8, 2005 | website = Politics1.com | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060316213129/http://www.politics1.com/wa.htm | archive-date = March 16, 2006 | access-date = September 19, 2013}} Cantwell consistently led in polling throughout the race, although political analysts saw her as vulnerable this election cycle due to her extremely narrow win in 2000 and discontent among progressive voters. In November, The National Journal ranked Cantwell's seat as number 13 of the top 20 races to watch based on the likelihood of switching party control, and the third-highest Democratic seat likely to flip.[http://nationaljournal.com/racerankings/senate/] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080511155222/http://nationaljournal.com/racerankings/senate/|date=May 11, 2008}} However, in an election marked by discontent over the Republican leadership in D.C., Cantwell easily won by a 17% margin of victory.{{cite news | title = Cantwell cruises by McGavick for 2nd term | author = Alex Fryer | url = http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2003366966_wasenate08m.html | newspaper = The Seattle Times | date = November 8, 2006 | access-date = September 19, 2013}}
Statewide politics in Washington had been dominated by the Democratic Party for many years. The governor, lieutenant governor, treasurer, state auditor, and insurance commissioner were all Democrats, while only secretary of state, attorney general, and commissioner of public lands were Republican. Of the nine representatives Washington sent to the House of Representatives, six were Democrats. Democrat Patty Murray was the state's senior senator. Cantwell won her initial election to the Senate in 2000 over Slade Gorton by 2,229 votes. Due to the closeness of that race, and the close gubernatorial contest between Democrat Christine Gregoire and Republican Dino Rossi in November 2004, many Republicans believed they had a strong chance of capturing Cantwell's seat in 2006.
On March 9, 2006, Aaron Dixon announced his decision to seek the Green Party's nomination for U.S. Senate, challenging Cantwell on her continued support for the U.S. presence in Iraq and the USA PATRIOT Act. On May 13, 2006, Mr. Dixon secured the party's nomination at the Green Party of Washington state's Spring Convention.
Initially, Cantwell had two challengers from within the Democratic primary, both of them taking strong stances against the Iraq war that brought attention to Cantwell's votes for the Iraq Resolution and against a timeline for withdrawal. Three other Democrats also entered the primary race.
On August 8, 2006, the incumbent Democratic Senator from Connecticut, Joe Lieberman, lost his primary race to challenger Ned Lamont by 52%-48%, and then ran as an Independent in the general election. A great deal of attention was focused on this race as an early barometer of both anti-incumbent and anti-war sentiment nationwide. Comparisons were made between Lieberman's troubles and Cantwell's re-election bid, citing Cantwell's vote in favor of the Iraq Resolution that led to the war, her refusal to say she regretted the vote, and her vote against a timetable for withdrawal.{{cite news | title = Lieberman Explains His Stance on Iraq|author1= Patrick Healy|author2= Jennifer Medina | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/07/nyregion/07campaign.html?_r=1&ref=washington&oref=slogin | newspaper = The New York Times | date = August 7, 2006 | access-date = September 19, 2013}}{{cite news | title = Nutmeg State Democrats Choose Lamont | author = Seth Gitell | url = http://www.nysun.com/article/37604?page_no=1 | newspaper = The New York Sun | date = August 9, 2006 | access-date = September 19, 2013 | archive-date = September 29, 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070929123517/http://www.nysun.com/article/37604?page_no=1 | url-status = dead }}
Unlike Lamont's campaign, Cantwell's anti-war opponents' campaigns received much less funding and did not have the same support from the blogosphere that brought Lamont to prominence and improved his name recognition. Also, unlike Lieberman, Cantwell altered her position on the war during her campaign and criticized the Bush Administration for its conduct of the war. She also hired her most vocal anti-war primary opponent, Mark Wilson, at $8,000-a-month salary, a move that was described by political commentators as "buying out" the opposition (which she also allegedly attempted with other anti-war challengers Hong Tran and Aaron Dixon).{{cite web | url = http://soundpolitics.com/archives/006979.html | title = Did Senator Cantwell try to co-opt another opponent? | last1 = Earling | first1 = Eric | date = September 25, 2006 | website = Sound Politics | access-date = September 19, 2013 | archive-date = May 2, 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120502233503/http://soundpolitics.com/archives/006979.html | url-status = dead }} The article noted that, despite the differences in exact circumstances, the Lieberman defeat also showed that voters were in an anti-incumbent mood, which could've created problems for Cantwell.{{cite news | title = Anti-war liberals blast Cantwell | author = Neil Modie | url = http://seattlepi.com/local/280737_cantwell10.html | newspaper = Seattle Post-Intelligencer | date = August 9, 2006 | access-date = September 19, 2013}} This was supported by another P-I article that also noted that the primary loss of Lieberman and two House incumbents, Michigan Republican Joe Schwarz and Georgia Democrat Cynthia McKinney, on the same day indicated that there may have been a nationwide anti-incumbent trend.[http://seattlepi.com/national/1130AP_Incumbents_Beware.html]{{dead link|date=September 2013}}
Following the primary results, Cantwell endorsed Ned Lamont and McGavick responded by endorsing Senator Lieberman.{{Cite web |title=McGavick Pledges to Contribute $$ to Lieberman Campaign |url=https://slog.thestranger.com/2006/08/mcgavick_pledges_to |access-date=2024-06-01 |website=slog.thestranger.com}} The Dixon campaign released a statement criticizing Cantwell's "spin and vague rhetoric" on the war, and equating her current position to a pro-war stance similar to Lieberman's.{{cite web | url=http://www.gp.org/press/states/wa_2006_08_16.shtml | title=Cantwell Can't Hide Her Pro-War Record With Spin and Vague Rhetoric, Says Dixon | publisher=Green Party of the United States | date=August 11, 2006 | access-date=September 19, 2013 | archive-date=September 19, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130919015907/http://www.gp.org//press/states/wa_2006_08_16.shtml | url-status=dead | df=mdy-all | work=gp.org/}}
On August 14, less than a week after Lamont's win and nearly four years after the actual event, Cantwell for the first time said she would have voted against the authorization to use force in Iraq if she knew then what she knew in 2006.{{cite news | title = Frist backs McGavick but not all his views | author = David Postman | url = http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2003199347_frist15m.html | newspaper = The Seattle Times | date = August 15, 2006 | access-date = September 19, 2013}} However, she did so only after hearing her opponent McGavick say that he would have voted against the authorization under those conditions.{{cite news | title = Should we leave Iraq? Major split in state | author = Alex Fryer | url = http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2003204613_iraqpoll17m.html | newspaper = The Seattle Times | date = August 17, 2006 | access-date = September 19, 2013}} Cantwell has stated that she had no regrets for her vote in favor of the authorization.{{Cite web |title=Cantwell stands behind support for Iraq war {{!}} The Spokesman-Review |url=https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2006/jan/20/cantwell-stands-behind-support-for-iraq-war/ |access-date=2024-06-01 |website=www.spokesman.com}}
On July 9, anti-war challenger Mark Wilson announced he would abandon his bid, endorse Cantwell, and take a paid position offered by Cantwell's campaign, one day after progressive activist and anti-war critic Dal LaMagna had been hired to be the Cantwell campaign's co-chair. Initially, Cantwell's campaign refused to state how much they were paying Wilson, but under pressure from the media, disclosed that he was receiving $8,000 per month, only slightly less than Cantwell's campaign manager Matt Butler, who earns $8,731 per month.{{cite news | title = McGavick puts Cantwell on defensive | url = http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/editorialsopinion/2003129895_campaigned16.html | newspaper = The Seattle Times | date = July 18, 2006 | access-date = September 19, 2013}}{{cite news | title = Cantwell pays former opponent $8,000 a month: Campaign manager makes only a little more | author = Neil Modie | url = http://seattlepi.com/local/277718_cantwell15.html | newspaper = Seattle Post-Intelligencer | date = July 14, 2006 | access-date = September 19, 2013}} The next day, Hong Tran received a call from LaMagna saying they would like her to join their campaign, in a context that she interpreted as a job offer, which she refused.{{cite news | title = Last Cantwell rival believes campaign offered job to end all opposition | author = Neil Modie | url = http://seattlepi.com/local/277260_senate12.html | newspaper = Seattle Post-Intelligencer | date = July 11, 2006 | access-date = September 19, 2013}} Political commentators, including those at the Seattle Post Intelligencer and one at The Washington Times, expressed their views that Cantwell was attempting to eliminate the viable options anti-war Democrats had to voice their opinion on the war in the upcoming primary by having Wilson join her campaign and then soliciting Tran.{{cite news | title = Washington senatorial cliffhanger | url = http://washingtontimes.com/commentary/20060723-093644-5778r.htm | newspaper = The Washington Times | date = July 23, 2006 | access-date = September 19, 2013}}{{cite news | title = Do hires make her Maria, Queen of Smarts? | author = Robert L. Jamieson Jr. | url = http://seattlepi.com/jamieson/277134_robert11.html | newspaper = Seattle Post-Intelligencer | date = July 10, 2006 | access-date = September 19, 2013}}{{cite news | title = Election 2006: Price is right | url = http://seattlepi.com/opinion/277298_cantwelled.html | archive-url = https://archive.today/20130202121317/http://seattlepi.com/opinion/277298_cantwelled.html | url-status = dead | archive-date = February 2, 2013 | newspaper = Seattle Post-Intelligencer | date = July 12, 2006 | access-date = September 19, 2013 }}{{cite news | title = Cantwell organizer strangely silent | author = Susan Paynter | url = http://seattlepi.com/paynter/285695_paynt20.html | newspaper = Seattle Post-Intelligencer | date = September 19, 2006 | access-date = September 19, 2013 | archive-date = October 12, 2008 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081012174344/http://seattlepi.com/paynter/285695_paynt20.html | url-status = dead }}
Wilson's supporters and journalists expressed surprise at his withdrawal from the race after a 16-month campaign, where he was a sharp critic of the incumbent Senator, who he referred to on his campaign website as a "free-trading corporate elitist" who "bought her seat", then "alienated and alarmed" her base.[http://www.king5.com/localnews/stories/NW_071006WABmarkwilsonKC.45ceb0a1.html] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927040828/http://www.king5.com/localnews/stories/NW_071006WABmarkwilsonKC.45ceb0a1.html|date=September 27, 2007}} When asked by reporters if he still believed what he said about Cantwell during his primary bid, he stated: "I believed in it to a point in order to capitalize on what was already existent, which was a rift within the Democratic Party over the issue of the war."{{cite web | url = https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna13801927 | title = Cantwell opponent drops challenge: Joins Cantwell campaign in paid position | date = July 10, 2006 | website = NBC News | access-date = September 19, 2013}} Both Dixon and Tran publicly doubted that Wilson's apparent change of heart was genuine, citing his paid position with the campaign and his initial refusal to disclose his salary.
On September 25, Joshua Frank reported that Dixon was alleging that he had been contacted twice in July by Mark Wilson, who implied that large donations to Dixon's non-profit organization, Central House, would be made if he were to withdraw his candidacy before filing. Dixon also claimed that Wilson was not the only Cantwell staffer to contact him, but declined to disclose who the other staff was. Dixon also made this claim on a Democracy Now! broadcast.{{Cite web|url=https://www.worldnewstrust.com/?task=view|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20061128181806/http://www.worldnewstrust.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=218|url-status=dead|title=News Portal|archivedate=November 28, 2006|website=World News Trust}} David Postman of the Seattle Times contacted the Cantwell campaign about the allegations; their spokesperson didn't say it didn't happen but stated that no one on the campaign had been authorized to speak to Dixon about his campaign. The campaign did not allow access to Wilson so he could respond as to whether the conversation took place.{{cite web | url = http://blog.seattletimes.nwsource.com/davidpostman/archives/2006/09/green_candidate_dixon_says_cantwell_campaign_wante.html | title = Green candidate Dixon says Cantwell campaign wanted him out of race|last1= Postman|first1= David | date = September 25, 2006 | website = The Seattle Times | access-date = September 19, 2013 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120320150604/http://blog.seattletimes.nwsource.com/davidpostman/archives/2006/09/green_candidate_dixon_says_cantwell_campaign_wante.html | archive-date = March 20, 2012}} Other reporters also had trouble contacting Wilson; Susan Paynter of the Seattle P-I, in an article on his shunning of the media, noted that there had been a widespread assumption after Wilson's hire that the intent was to silence him and that his disappearance only reinforced this assumption, calling it "the political equivalent of a farm subsidy." Paynter also quoted Hong Tran as saying that the reaction to Wilson's initial appearances on the campaign trail after he had joined Cantwell were so negative that she was not surprised he disappeared.
On September 19, after her defeat in the Democratic primary, Hong Tran lamented to the Seattle Times of "how undemocratic the Democratic Party really is" saying the state Democratic party had tried to keep her from getting attention, forbidding her from putting up signs at Coordinated Campaign events and not giving her access to the state party voter rolls.{{cite web |last1=Postman |first1=David |date=September 19, 2006 |title=Hong Tran looks to the next race |url=http://blog.seattletimes.nwsource.com/davidpostman/archives/2006/09/hong_tran_looks_to_the_next_race.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403112259/http://blog.seattletimes.nwsource.com/davidpostman/archives/2006/09/hong_tran_looks_to_the_next_race.html |archive-date=April 3, 2015 |access-date=September 19, 2013 |website=Postman on Politics |publisher=The Seattle Times |df=mdy-all}} Cantwell, whose campaign hired two of her early critics, had also refused to debate Tran. When asked before the primary whether she would endorse the senator if her primary bid proved unsuccessful, Tran had responded, "certainly not."{{cite news | title = Party rival says Cantwell deserves to lose over war | url = http://washingtontimes.com/national/20060918-105742-6654r.htm | newspaper = The Washington Times | date = September 18, 2006 | access-date = September 19, 2013}}
{{Election box begin
| title = Democratic primary
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| candidate = Maria Cantwell (Incumbent)
| votes = 570,677
| percentage = 90.76%
| change = N/A
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| candidate = Hong Tran
| votes = 33,124
| percentage = 5.27%
| change = N/A
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| candidate = Mike The Mover
| votes = 11,274
| percentage = 1.79%
| change = N/A
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| candidate = Michael Goodspaceguy Nelson
| votes = 9,454
| percentage = 1.50%
| change = N/A
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| candidate = Mohammad H. Said
| votes = 4,222
| percentage = 0.67%
| change = N/A
}}
{{Election box end}}
From the Washington Secretary of State[http://vote.wa.gov/elections/PrimaryResults/Results.aspx?o=8f43af96-81c1-47c6-8b5f-3ad9dee0e6ad] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060923205848/http://vote.wa.gov/elections/PrimaryResults/Results.aspx?o=8f43af96-81c1-47c6-8b5f-3ad9dee0e6ad|date=September 23, 2006}}
In early hypothetical matchups in 2005 compiled by conservative pollster Strategic Vision,[http://www.strategicvision.biz/political/washington_poll_0520.htm] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060613221738/http://www.strategicvision.biz/political/washington_poll_0520.htm|date=June 13, 2006}} Rossi led Cantwell. Republican leadership reportedly pleaded with Rossi to jump into the ring. Rossi declined.
Speculation next centered on Rick White (who had taken Cantwell's House seat in 1994), state GOP chair Chris Vance, former Seattle television reporter Susan Hutchinson, and former 8th district Congressional candidate and Republican National Committee member Diane Tebelius. None of those chose to enter the race. Republican leaders finally got behind former Safeco Insurance CEO Mike McGavick.
{{Election box begin
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = Mike McGavick
| votes = 397,524
| percentage = 85.88%
| change = N/A
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = Brad Klippert
| votes = 32,213
| percentage = 6.96%
| change = N/A
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = Warren E. Hanson
| votes = 17,881
| percentage = 3.86%
| change = N/A
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = B. Barry Massoudi
| votes = 6,410
| percentage = 1.38%
| change = N/A
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = Gordon Allen Pross
| votes = 5,196
| percentage = 1.12%
| change = N/A
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = William Edward Chovil
| votes = 3,670
| percentage = 0.79%
| change = N/A
}}
{{Election box end}}
Cantwell was projected to be the winner right when the polls closed at 11:00 p.m. EST Time.
{{Election box begin
| title = Washington general electionhttps://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/state.php?fips=53&year=2006&f=0&elect=0&off=3&class=1
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| candidate = Maria Cantwell (Incumbent)
| votes = 1,184,659
| percentage = 56.81%
| change = +7.71%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = Mike McGavick
| votes = 832,106
| percentage = 39.91%
| change = -9.04%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Libertarian Party (United States)
| candidate = Bruce Guthrie
| votes = 29,331
| percentage = 1.41%
| change = +0.20%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Green Party (United States)
| candidate = Aaron Dixon
| votes = 21,254
| percentage = 1.02%
| change = -0.02%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Independent
| candidate = Robin Adair
| votes = 16,384
| percentage = 0.79%
| change = n/a
}}
{{Election box write-in with party link
| votes = 1,445
| percentage = 0.07%
| change = n/a
}}
{{Election box majority
| votes = 343,084
| percentage = 16.90%
| change =
}}
{{Election box turnout
| votes = 2,085,179
| percentage = 63.81%
| change =
}}
{{Election box hold with party link
| winner = Democratic Party (United States)
| loser =
| swing = +8.39
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Clear}}
West Virginia
{{Infobox election
| election_name = West Virginia election
| country = West Virginia
| type = presidential
| ongoing = no
| previous_election = 2000 United States Senate election in West Virginia
| previous_year = 2000
| next_election = 2010 United States Senate special election in West Virginia
| next_year = 2010 (special)
| election_date =
| image_size = 125x136px
| image1 = Robert Byrd official portrait (cropped).jpg
| nominee1 = Robert Byrd
| party1 = Democratic Party (United States)
| popular_vote1 = 296,276
| percentage1 = 64.4%
| image2 = John Raese.jpg
| nominee2 = John Raese
| party2 = Republican Party (United States)
| popular_vote2 = 155,043
| percentage2 = 33.7%
| map_image = 2006 United States Senate election in West Virginia results map by county.svg
| map_size = 250px
| map_caption = County results
Byrd: {{legend0|#a5b0ff|40–50%}} {{legend0|#7996e2|50–60%}} {{legend0|#6674de|60–70%}} {{legend0|#584cde|70–80%}} {{legend0|#3933e5|80–90%}}
Raese: {{legend0|#e27f7f|50–60%}}
| title = U.S. Senator
| before_election = Robert Byrd
| before_party = Democratic Party (United States)
| after_election = Robert Byrd
| after_party = Democratic Party (United States)
}}
{{Main|2006 United States Senate election in West Virginia}}
{{See also|List of United States senators from West Virginia}}
Incumbent Democrat Robert Byrd won re-election to a ninth term.{{cite web|url=http://www.wvsos.com/elections/candidates/CumulativeCandidateListResidentGenlist.pdf|title=WV Secretary of State Website|website=wvsos.com|access-date=December 20, 2017}}{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2006/pages/results/states/WV/|title=CNN.com - Elections 2006|website=cnn.com|access-date=December 20, 2017}} He was sworn in on January 4, 2007.
Before the 2000 presidential election, West Virginia had been won by the Democratic nominee every time since 1932 (except for the Republican landslides of 1956, 1972, and 1984). In 2000, then Republican Governor George W. Bush of Texas won West Virginia's five electoral college votes over then Vice President Al Gore of Tennessee by a margin of 52–46. Also in the 2000 election, Republican Shelley Moore Capito, the daughter of Former West Virginia Governor Arch A. Moore, Jr., won a surprise victory over Democrat Jim Humphreys for West Virginia's 2nd Congressional District seat to the United States House of Representatives. She would become the first Republican in West Virginia to hold a Congressional office for more than one term since her father in 1969. Before these two major victories for national and West Virginia Republicans, it was difficult to find a Republican who could mount a formidable campaign against Democrats running for public office in West Virginia.
President Bush won West Virginia again in the 2004 presidential election over John F. Kerry, the Democratic junior Senator from Massachusetts by a margin of 56–43. Both Representative Alan Mollohan (D-1st District) and Representative Nick Rahall (D-3rd District) had more formidable challenges from Republicans when compared to 2000 and 2002. Republican Brent Benjamin defeated Democratic incumbent West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals Justice Warren McGraw, and Republican Betty Ireland defeated liberal-Democrat Ken Hechler, a former congressman and secretary of state, for West Virginia Secretary of State.
Since 2000, the Republicans have gained seven net seats in both the West Virginia Senate and the West Virginia House of Delegates. However, the Democrats hold 60% of the seats in the Senate and 68% of the seats in the House.
Along with continued majorities in the legislature, Democrats have also had some other victories. Even though both Bush and Capito won their respective offices in 2000, Senator Byrd sailed to an eighth term with 78% of the vote over Republican David Gallaher. Senator John D. Rockefeller, IV, easily won a fourth term to the Senate in 2002 by a margin of 63–37 over Republican Jay Wolfe. In 2000, 2002, and 2004, both Representative Mollohan and Representative Rahall were re-elected by much stronger margins than Capito. In 2004, Republican Monty Warner failed to defeat Democratic West Virginia Secretary of State Joe Manchin for governor.
After the Republicans failed to win the governor's race, West Virginia Republican Committee Chairman Kris Warner, the brother of Monty, was put under pressure to resign his post; he did so in May 2005.{{cite web|url=http://www.wowktv.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=2679|title=Warner to Quit as GOP Chairman - WOWK-TV - WOWKTV.com|access-date=December 20, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051001030122/http://wowktv.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=2679|archive-date=October 1, 2005|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}} Wheeling attorney Rob Capehart took his place. (Dr. Doug McKinney of Bridgeport now holds the post.) Another brother of Monty, Kasey, who was appointed by President Bush in 2001, was removed as the United States Attorney for the Southern District of West Virginia on August 1, 2005. No explanation has been given for his departure and First Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles T. Miller currently represents the district.
{{Election box begin
| title = Democratic primary
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| candidate = Robert Byrd (Incumbent)
| votes = 159,154
| percentage = 85.7%
| change =
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| candidate = Billy Hendricks, Jr.
| votes = 26,609
| percentage = 14.3%
| change =
}}
{{Election box end}}
Both state and national Republicans chose Shelley Moore Capito as their first choice to challenge Byrd. Early polling showed Byrd with only around a ten-point lead. Capito had even met with National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) Chairwoman Elizabeth Dole, whose husband, Bob Dole, served alongside Byrd as majority and minority leader in the Senate, to discuss a possible run.{{cite web |url=http://www.thehill.com/thehill/export/TheHill/News/Campaign/062305.html |title=Capito, Dole discuss Senate bid |access-date=October 26, 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051202130809/http://thehill.com/thehill/export/TheHill/News/Campaign/062305.html |archive-date=December 2, 2005 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }} Despite party leaders pushing for her to run, on October 3, 2005, Capito announced she would seek a fourth term for her congressional seat rather than run against Byrd. She cited the negativity of a possible Byrd-Capito race as a reason for not running.{{cite web|url=http://www.wowktv.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=5576|title=Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito Won't Run For Senate - WOWK-TV - WOWKTV.com|access-date=December 20, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060321171715/http://www.wowktv.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=5576|archive-date=March 21, 2006|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}} Other reasons for Capito not running include the following: Capito's seat is widely considered safe; Capito is rising in House leadership; if Capito ran against Byrd, her seat could possibly have fallen back into the Democratic column; and Capito's large amount of contributions from former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay could be brought into question.
After Capito decided not to run, Republicans hoped to recruit Secretary of State Betty Ireland, the first woman elected to the executive branch of West Virginia. On October 27, 2005, however, Ireland announced she would not run against the eight-term senator. She said that the office of Secretary of State should not be used as a political stepping stone.{{cite web|url=http://www.wowktv.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=6227|title=Secretary of State Betty Ireland Won't Challenge Byrd - WOWK-TV - WOWKTV.com|access-date=December 20, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060513110722/http://www.wowktv.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=6227|archive-date=May 13, 2006|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}} Ironically, Joe Manchin held the office of Secretary of State during his campaign for governor.
Conservative columnist Robert Novak wrote in a September 24, 2005, article{{cite web|url=http://www.townhall.com/opinion/columns/robertnovak/2005/09/24/155691.html|title=Robert Novak Articles - Political Columnist & Commentator - Robert Novak|website=Townhall|access-date=December 20, 2017|archive-date=December 2, 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051202193439/http://www.townhall.com/opinion/columns/robertnovak/2005/09/24/155691.html|url-status=dead}} that Gale Catlett's, the former head coach of the West Virginia University Men's Basketball team, name had been floated around as a possible challenger to Byrd. Catlett had in fact talked to West Virginia Republican Committee Chairman Capehart about either running against Byrd or possibly Representative Mollohan. It was also reported that if Capito had run against Byrd, Catlett would seek her seat. However, on November 11, 2005, Catlett decided not to run against Senator Byrd or Representative Mollohan.[http://theintelligencer.net/news/story/1112202005_new2catlett.asp] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070704072543/http://theintelligencer.net/news/story/1112202005_new2catlett.asp|date=July 4, 2007}} (A side note: On November 12, 2005, Ohio County Delegate Chris Wakim (R) announced his intentions to run against Representative Mollohan.{{cite web|url=http://www.wtrf.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=6721|title=Wakim Will Challenge Mollohan in Congressional Race - WTRF-TV - WTRF.com|access-date=December 20, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060510151943/http://www.wtrf.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=6721|archive-date=May 10, 2006|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}})
On January 11, 2006, TheHill.com reported that NRSC Chairwoman Dole met with John Raese, the 1984 Republican United States Senate candidate and 1988 Republican Gubernatorial primary-candidate to discuss a possible run for the nomination in May.{{cite web |url=http://thehill.com/thehill/export/TheHill/News/Frontpage/011106/byrd.html |title=Raese pressed to take on Byrd |access-date=January 12, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060116100919/http://thehill.com/thehill/export/TheHill/News/Frontpage/011106/byrd.html |archive-date=January 16, 2006 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }} Raese did file for the primary by the deadline of January 28, 2006.
{{Election box begin
| title = Republican primary
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = John Raese
| votes = 47,408
| percentage = 58.3%
| change =
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = Hiram Lewis
| votes = 18,496
| percentage = 22.7%
| change =
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = Rick Snuffer
| votes = 4,870
| percentage = 6.0%
| change =
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = Charles G. "Bud" Railey
| votes = 4,364
| percentage = 5.4%
| change =
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = Paul J. Brown
| votes = 3,464
| percentage = 4.3%
| change =
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = Zane Lawhorn
| votes = 2,723
| percentage = 3.3%
| change =
}}
{{Election box end}}
Byrd was extremely popular as he had approval ratings in the low 60% range.{{cite web|url=http://www.wowktv.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=5441|title=Senator Robert C. Byrd Makes Official Announcement - WOWK-TV - WOWKTV.com|access-date=December 20, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060321171919/http://www.wowktv.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=5441|archive-date=March 21, 2006|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}} Raese, a millionaire, self-financed his campaign. He spent campaign ads on attacking Byrd.
{{Election box begin
| title = West Virginia general election
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| candidate = Robert Byrd (Incumbent)
| votes = 296,276
| percentage = 64.4%
| change = -13.3%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = John Raese
| votes = 155,043
| percentage = 33.7%
| change = +13.56%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Mountain Party
| candidate = Jesse Johnson
| votes = 8,565
| percentage = 1.9%
| change = n/a
}}
{{Election box majority
| votes = 141,233
| percentage = 30.7%
| change = -26.9%
}}
{{Election box turnout
| votes = 459,884
| percentage = 40.4%
| change = -21.5%
}}
{{Election box hold with party link
| winner = Democratic Party (United States)
| swing =
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Clear}}
Wisconsin
{{Infobox election
| election_name = Wisconsin election
| country = Wisconsin
| type = presidential
| ongoing = no
| previous_election = 2000 United States Senate election in Wisconsin
| previous_year = 2000
| next_election = 2012 United States Senate election in Wisconsin
| next_year = 2012
| election_date =
| image_size = 125x136px
| image1 = Herbert Kohl, official photo.jpg
| nominee1 = Herb Kohl
| party1 = Democratic Party (United States)
| popular_vote1 = 1,439,214
| percentage1 = 67.3%
| image2 = No image.png
| nominee2 = Robert Lorge
| party2 = Republican Party (United States)
| popular_vote2 = 630,299
| percentage2 = 29.5%
| map_image = 2006 United States Senate election in Wisconsin results map by county.svg
| map_size = 220px
| map_caption = Kohl: {{legend0|#7996e2|50–60%}} {{legend0|#6674de|60–70%}} {{legend0|#584cde|70–80%}} {{legend0|#0D0596|>90%}}
| title = U.S. Senator
| before_election = Herb Kohl
| before_party = Democratic Party (United States)
| after_election = Herb Kohl
| after_party = Democratic Party (United States)
}}
{{Main|2006 United States Senate election in Wisconsin}}
{{See also|List of United States senators from Wisconsin}}
Incumbent Democrat Herb Kohl won re-election to a fourth term.{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=114326|title=Our Campaigns - WI US Senate Race - Nov 07, 2006|website=ourcampaigns.com|access-date=December 20, 2017}}
{{Election box begin
| title = 2006 Wisconsin United States Senate Election Democratic Primary [http://elections.state.wi.us/docview.asp?docid=9719&locid=47]
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| candidate = Herb Kohl (Incumbent)
| votes = 308,178
| percentage = 85.66%
| change =
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| candidate = Ben Masel
| votes = 51,245
| percentage = 14.24%
| change =
}}
|- class="vcard"
! style="background:#e9e9e9;"|
| class = "org" | Democratic Party
| class = "fn" | Other
| style="text-align:right;"| 335
| style="text-align:right;"| 0.09%
| style="text-align:right;"|
|-
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin
| title = 2006 Wisconsin United States Senate Election Republican Primary [http://elections.state.wi.us/docview.asp?docid=9719&locid=47]
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = Robert Lorge
| votes = 194,633
| percentage = 99.73%
| change =
}}
|- class="vcard"
! style="background:#e9e9e9;"|
| class = "org" | Republican Party
| class = "fn" | Other
| style="text-align:right;"| 530
| style="text-align:right;"| 0.27%
| style="text-align:right;"|
{{Election box end}}
Robert Lorge was the Republican candidate for the seat after being the only Republican candidate to file before the filing deadline on July 11, 2006. Despite receiving no money or support from the State or National Republican party he fared better than Republican Senate candidates in New York, Massachusetts, North Dakota, and was the only major party candidate in 2006 able to deliver votes for under $1 in the Post McCain-Feingold Campaign Finance Law era.{{Cite web |title=Robert Gerald Lorge - $0 raised, '08 election cycle, Wisconsin (WI), Republican Party, Senate |url=https://www.campaignmoney.com/political/campaigns/robert_gerald_lorge.asp?cycle=08 |access-date=2024-06-01 |website=www.campaignmoney.com}}
{{Election box begin
| title = Wisconsin general election{{cite web |url=http://elections.state.wi.us/docview.asp?docid=9719&locid=47 |title=Archived copy |access-date=November 7, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061108220513/http://elections.state.wi.us/docview.asp?docid=9719&locid=47 |archive-date=November 8, 2006 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| candidate = Herb Kohl (Incumbent)
| votes = 1,439,214
| percentage = 67.31%
| change = +5.8%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = Robert Lorge
| votes = 630,299
| percentage = 29.48%
| change = -7.5%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Green Party (United States)
| candidate = Rae Vogeler
| votes = 42,434
| percentage = 1.98%
| change = n/a
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Independent
| candidate = Ben Glatzel
| votes = 25,096
| percentage = 1.17%
| change = n/a
}}
{{Election box candidate
| party = Other
| candidate = Scattered
| votes = 1,254
| percentage = 0.06%
| change = n/a
}}
{{Election box majority
| votes = 808,915
| percentage = 37.83%
| change =
}}
{{Election box turnout
| votes = 2,138,297
| percentage = 50.86%
| change =
}}
{{Election box hold with party link
| winner = Democratic Party (United States)
| swing =
}}
{{Election box end}}
Kohl won a majority in every county in the state. Kohl's weakest performance in the state was suburban Washington County, Wisconsin, which Kohl won with just 49.6%. Kohl's strongest performance was in rural Menominee County, where he won with over 90% of the vote. Vogeler's best performance was in Dane County, where she came in third place with over 5%, a county where Lorge had his second weakest performance.{{cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|first=David|last=Leip|website=uselectionatlas.org|access-date=December 20, 2017}}
{{Clear}}
Wyoming
{{Infobox election
| election_name = Wyoming election
| country = Wyoming
| type = presidential
| ongoing = no
| previous_election = 2000 United States Senate election in Wyoming
| previous_year = 2000
| next_election = 2008 United States Senate special election in Wyoming
| next_year = 2008 (special)
| election_date =
| image_size = 125x136px
| image1 = Thomascraigportrait.jpg
| nominee1 = Craig L. Thomas
| party1 = Republican Party (United States)
| popular_vote1 = 135,174
| percentage1 = 70.0%
| image2 = No image.svg
| nominee2 = Dale Groutage
| party2 = Democratic Party (United States)
| popular_vote2 = 57,761
| percentage2 = 29.9%
| map_image = 2006 United States Senate election in Wyoming results map by county.svg
| map_size = 260px
| map_caption = County results
Thomas: {{legend0|#e27f7f|50–60%}} {{legend0|#d75d5d|60–70%}} {{legend0|#d72f30|70–80%}} {{legend0|#c21b18|80–90%}}
| title = U.S. Senator
| before_election = Craig L. Thomas
| before_party = Republican Party (United States)
| after_election = Craig L. Thomas
| after_party = Republican Party (United States)
}}
{{Main|2006 United States Senate election in Wyoming}}
{{See also|List of United States senators from Wyoming}}
Incumbent Republican Craig Thomas won re-election to a third term. Thomas died 5 months into his term on June 4, 2007, after battling leukemia.
{{Election box begin no change
| title = Democratic primary{{cite web|url=http://soswy.state.wy.us/Elections/Docs/2006/06Results/D_Statewide_Candidate_Summary.pdf |title=Results |date=2006 |website=soswy.state.wy.us |access-date=2019-05-27}}
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Dale Groutage
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes = 24,924
| percentage = 100.00%
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 24,924
| percentage = 100.00%
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin no change
| title = Republican primary{{cite web|url=http://soswy.state.wy.us/Elections/Docs/2006/06Results/R_Statewide_Candidate_Summary.pdf |title=Results |date=2006 |website=soswy.state.wy.us |access-date=2019-05-27}}
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Craig Thomas (Incumbent)
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 78,211
| percentage = 100.00%
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 78,211
| percentage = 100.00%
}}
{{Election box end}}
Thomas was a very popular two term incumbent, having a 68% approval rating.{{Cite web |url=http://legacy.rasmussenreports.com/MembersOnly/2006%20State%20Polls/July%202006/WY_070606%20Toplines.htm |title=Archived copy |access-date=November 28, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303182825/http://legacy.rasmussenreports.com/MembersOnly/2006%20State%20Polls/July%202006/WY_070606%20Toplines.htm |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |url-status=dead }} Despite doing very well in the polls, Thomas agreed to a debate. An October debate was sponsored by the Casper Star-Tribune and KCWY in Casper. Thomas said the nation has made progress in its energy policy, while Groutage said the nation's energy policy has failed because Congress has done more for special interests than the people.{{cite web|url=http://www.wyomingnews.com/articles/2006/10/16/election_2006/races/united_states/house_of_representatives/ushouse273.txt|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130210000800/http://www.wyomingnews.com/articles/2006/10/16/election_2006/races/united_states/house_of_representatives/ushouse273.txt|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 10, 2013|title=Candidates face off for first time|access-date=December 20, 2017}}
{{Election box begin
| title = Wyoming general election{{cite web|url=http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/2006/2006Stat.htm|title=2006 Election Statistics|website=clerk.house.gov|access-date=December 20, 2017}}}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = Craig L. Thomas (Incumbent)
| votes = 135,174
| percentage = 69.99%
| change = -3.78%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| candidate = Dale Groutage
| votes = 57,671
| percentage = 29.86%
| change = +7.82%
}}
{{Election box candidate
| party =
| candidate = Write-ins
| votes = 291
| percentage = 0.15%
| change =
}}
{{Election box majority
| votes = 77,503
| percentage = 40.13%
| change = -11.61%
}}
{{Election box turnout
| votes = 193,136
| percentage =
| change =
}}
{{Election box hold with party link
| winner = Republican Party (United States)
| loser =
| swing =
}}
{{Election box end}}
Thomas won at least 56% of the vote in every county in Wyoming.
{{clear}}
See also
Further reading
- Orey, Byron D'Andra. "Racial Threat, Republicanism, and the Rebel Flag: Trent Lott and the 2006 Mississippi Senate Race," National Political Science Review July 2009, Vol. 12, pp. 83–96
Notes
{{notelist}}
External links
- [https://yapms.com/app?m=mt5dhwwz7d52tqz 2006 interactive senate map]
- [http://lcweb2.loc.gov/diglib/lcwa/html/elec2006/elec2006-overview.html United States Election 2006 Web Archive] from the U.S. Library of Congress
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20120107201434/http://www.elections.ny.gov/ New York Elections Website]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20081030025037/http://www.co.tompkins.ny.us/boe/2006/General/ballot4.pdf Sample New York State ballot]
- [http://www.elections.state.ri.us/elections/results/2006/generalelection/ Rhode Island Election Results] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100606120640/http://www.elections.state.ri.us/elections/results/2006/generalelection/ |date=June 6, 2010 }}
- [https://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/31/us/31tennessee.html?ex=1306728000&en=757828f3233613c3&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss Democrats' Senate Hopes May Ride on Tennessee], by Robin Toner, The New York Times, May 31, 2006
- [http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2006/09/17/MNGIHL7B4S1.DTL Dems pin hopes on candidate who's no liberal], by Zachary Coile, San Francisco Chronicle, September 17, 2006
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20060929035558/http://www.knoxnews.com/kns/election/article/0,1406,KNS_630_5017294,00.html Senate race is looming large], by Rebecca Ferrar, Knoxville News-Sentinel, September 24, 2006
- [https://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/28/us/politics/28senate.html New Hope for Democrats in Bid for Senate], by Robin Toner, The New York Times, September 28, 2006
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20061005000141/http://www.commercialappeal.com/mca/politics/article/0,1426,MCA_1496_5034159,00.html A photo finish in Corker-Ford race?], by Richard Locker, The Commercial Appeal, October 1, 2006
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20070927195000/http://www.commercialappeal.com/mca/politics/article/0,1426,MCA_1496_5065388,00.html Bob Corker's questionnaire responses] from The Commercial Appeal
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20061022160319/http://www.commercialappeal.com/mca/politics/article/0,1426,MCA_1496_5065434,00.html Harold Ford Jr's questionnaire responses] from The Commercial Appeal
- [http://www.thegreenpapers.com/G06/TX.phtml The Green Papers link on the Texas Midterm Election]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20120204083808/http://vermont-elections.org/elections1/2006FedandStatewideCandList7.187PM.xls Vermont Secretary of State's Draft list of candidates (Excel spreadsheet).] (Final version due to be released on July 24, 2006).
- Meet the Press with Allen and Webb: [https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna14892058 debate video excerpts], and [https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna14815993 debate transcript]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20060929010109/http://virginia.va.lwvnet.org/files/us_senate_voters_guide_nov_2006.pdf#search=%22Virginia%20Senate%20candidate%20guide%22 2006 Voter's Guide] by the League of Women Voters of Virginia
- {{cite web | url = http://sbe.vipnet.org/ | title = Commonwealth of Virginia: November 7, 2006 General Election: Unofficial Results | work = State Board of Elections website | publisher = Virginia Interactive (Commonwealth of Virginia) | access-date = November 8, 2006 | url-status = dead | archive-url = http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20020905172652/http://www.sbe.vipnet.org/ | archive-date = September 5, 2002
}} Updated every 2 minutes.
- Maps & graphic displays of the 2006 Virginia election results @ [http://www.vaelection.org www.VaElection.org]
- [http://latte.blogs.com/welcome/2006/10/washington_sena.html Televised Debate between Cantwell, McGavick, and Guthrie]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20070410004520/http://vote.wa.gov/elections/candidateswhohavefiled.aspx Washington Secretary of State's listing of candidates who have filed for office]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20060726161710/http://www.secstate.wa.gov/elections/previous_elections.aspx Results of previous elections in Washington State]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20061201103234/http://vote.wa.gov/Elections/general/Results.aspx?o=8f43af96-81c1-47c6-8b5f-3ad9dee0e6ad Washington Secretary of State]
- JoinCalifornia [http://www.joincalifornia.com/election/2006-11-07 2006 General Election]
- [http://www.smartvoter.org/2006/06/06/ca/state/us_senate.html SmartVoter.org page on the California Senate race.]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20061102043344/http://www.sots.ct.gov/ElectionsServices/election_results/2006Primary%26ElectionInfo.htm State of Connecticut Secretary of State: 2006 Primary and Election Information]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20061102084340/http://www.statementofvote-sots.ct.gov/StatementOfVote/ State of Connecticut Secretary of State: Statement of Vote]
- {{cite web
| url = http://www.state.de.us/doe_ncc/Candidates/2006/2006_ge_candidates.shtml
| title = 2006 General Election Candidates
| access-date = October 28, 2006
| date = October 18, 2006
| publisher = Department of Elections for New Castle County, State of Delaware
| archive-date = October 30, 2006
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20061030155716/http://www.state.de.us/doe_ncc/Candidates/2006/2006_ge_candidates.shtml
| url-status = dead
}}
- {{cite news | author=Matthew Jonas | title=Ting, Spivack pass first test | url=http://www.delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060913/NEWS/609130376 | publisher=Delaware News Journal (Delaware Online) | date=September 13, 2006 | access-date=October 29, 2006 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930184502/http://www.delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20060913%2FNEWS%2F609130376 | archive-date=September 30, 2007}} Topic: Primary results
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20060901173229/http://www.e-democracy.org/wiki/U.S._Senate_candidates_in_Minnesota Full list of U.S. Senate Candidates in Minnesota] - From E-Democracy.Org
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20061128055033/http://mpls.startribune.com/news/metro/elections/returns/msensm.html Election results]
- [https://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061015/ap_on_el_se/montana_senate;_ylt=AtkVp_TGQOnx5hIyqpBsJjdp24cA;_ylu=X3oDMTA5aHJvMDdwBHNlYwN5bmNhdA-- "Montana Senator in Fight of Political Life,"] Associated Press, October 15, 2006
- [http://www.sos.state.ms.us/elections/2006/primary/General%20Election%20Federal%20Offices/US%20SENATE.pdf Election Results]
References
{{reflist|2}}
{{2006 United States elections}}
{{United States Senate elections}}