2006 United States gubernatorial elections

States where the margin of victory was under 5%:

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

States where the margin of victory was under 10%:

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

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

Alabama gubernatorial election

← 2002 November 7, 2006 2010 →

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

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

Governor before election Bob Riley Republican Elected Governor Bob Riley Republican

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

Alaska gubernatorial election

← 2002 November 7, 2006 2010 →

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

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

Governor before election Frank Murkowski Republican Elected Governor Sarah Palin Republican

Governor Frank Murkowski, suffering poor approval ratings, was not favored to win renomination. An August 8 poll by Rasmussen Reports showed that going into the primary election his approval rating was at 27%, while his disapproval rating stood at 72%. Former Wasilla Mayor Sarah Palin and former state Railroad Commissioner John Binkley challenged Murkowski in the Republican primary. Former governor Tony Knowles was widely considered the favorite to win the Democratic nomination. In the primary held on August 22, Palin won the Republican nomination for governor with 51.1% of the vote, Binkley received 29.6%, and Murkowski received just 18.9% of the vote.^[6] Knowles won the Democratic nomination with 68.6% of the vote; state representative Eric Croft, who received 23.1% of the vote, was his nearest competitor.^[6]

Palin campaigned on a clean government platform in a state with a history of corruption. An October 15 CRG Research poll had the candidates tied at 43%.^[7] An October 28 Rasmussen Reports poll showed Palin leading Knowles by a single percentage point.^[7]

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

Arizona gubernatorial election

← 2002 November 7, 2006 2010 →
Turnout	60.47% 4.14pp [8]
Nominee Janet Napolitano Len Munsil Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 959,830 543,528 Percentage 62.6% 35.4%
County results Napolitano:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Governor before election Janet Napolitano Democratic Elected Governor Janet Napolitano Democratic

Incumbent Democratic Governor Janet Napolitano was re-elected in a landslide. Napolitano's widespread popularity contributed to her easy re-election; her general approval rating in October 2006, one month before the election, was at 58%.^[9]

Arkansas gubernatorial election

← 2002 November 7, 2006 2010 →

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

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

Governor before election Mike Huckabee Republican Elected Governor Mike Beebe Democratic

Governor Mike Huckabee was term-limited. The Republican Party nominated Asa Hutchinson, a former congressman, U.S. Attorney, DEA head, and Undersecretary of Homeland Security. The Democratic nominee was Arkansas Attorney General Mike Beebe. Beebe's campaign centered on what his campaign called his "Believe in Arkansas Plan", which outlined his plans for improving access to affordable healthcare, improving education, and stimulating economic development and job growth. Beebe led in most statewide polls, although his margin of victory in those polls varied wildly. Just days before the election, a Rasmussen Reports poll showed Beebe winning by just 8%,^[11] while a SurveyUSA poll showed him winning by 20%.^[12]

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

California gubernatorial election

← 2003 (recall) November 7, 2006 2010 →
Turnout	32.77% 28.43pp
Nominee Arnold Schwarzenegger Phil Angelides Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 4,850,157 3,376,732 Percentage 55.9% 38.9%
County results Schwarzenegger:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Angelides:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%
Governor before election Arnold Schwarzenegger Republican Elected Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger Republican

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

Colorado gubernatorial election

← 2002 November 7, 2006 2010 →

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

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

Governor before election Bill Owens Republican Elected Governor Bill Ritter Democratic

The retirement of term-limited Governor Bill Owens revealed divisions among the state's Republicans. Republican Congressman Bob Beauprez, widely regarded as a conservative, was attacked by his primary opponent, former University of Denver President Marc Holtzman for compromising with Democrats in Congress. Beauprez became the nominee when Holtzman failed to submit enough valid signatures to qualify for the ballot, but the negative attacks they exchanged damaged Beauprez's campaign. The Democratic nominee was former Denver District Attorney Bill Ritter, an anti-abortion Catholic and a political centrist who could not easily be portrayed as a liberal. Ritter did, however, support Referendum I and oppose Amendment 43; conversely, the public defeated the former and passed the latter. Ritter's campaign was boosted when he was endorsed by a group of Larimer County Republicans. During the period of January through August, Ritter raised almost twice as much as Beauprez.^[15] According to an October 16 Zogby poll, Ritter led Beauprez 47% to 45%.^[16] An October 22 SurveyUSA poll showed Ritter leading Beauprez by a larger margin, 56% to 38%.^[17] Similarly, an October 22 Rasmussen Reports poll showed Ritter leading Beauprez, 51% to 39%.^[18]

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

Connecticut gubernatorial election

← 2002 November 7, 2006 2010 →

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

County results Municipality results Rell:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90% DeStefano:      50–60%      60–70%

Governor before election Jodi Rell Republican Elected Governor Jodi Rell Republican

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

Florida gubernatorial election

← 2002 November 7, 2006 2010 →
Turnout	46.8% 8.5[21]
Nominee Charlie Crist Jim Davis Party Republican Democratic Running mate Jeff Kottkamp Daryl Jones Popular vote 2,519,845 2,178,289 Percentage 52.2% 45.1%
County results Crist:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Davis:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%
Governor before election Jeb Bush Republican Elected Governor Charlie Crist Republican

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

Crist came out of the September 12 primary with momentum, but as the election drew closer, polls began to show a more competitive race. An October 23 Quinnipiac poll October 23 showed Crist's lead down to 2%.^[22] However, an October 26 Rasmussen Reports poll had Crist leading Davis 52% to 41%.^[23]

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

Georgia gubernatorial election

← 2002 November 7, 2006 2010 →

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

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

Governor before election Sonny Perdue Republican Elected Governor Sonny Perdue Republican

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

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

2006 Hawaii gubernatorial election

← 2002 November 7, 2006 2010 →

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

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

Governor before election Linda Lingle Republican Elected Governor Linda Lingle Republican

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

Idaho gubernatorial election

← 2002 November 7, 2006 2010 →

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

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

Governor before election Jim Risch Republican Elected Governor Butch Otter Republican

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

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

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

Illinois gubernatorial election

← 2002 November 7, 2006 2010 →
Turnout	47.29% 2.76 pp
Nominee Rod Blagojevich Judy Baar Topinka Rich Whitney Party Democratic Republican Green Running mate Pat Quinn Joe Birkett Julie Samuels Popular vote 1,736,731 1,369,315 361,336 Percentage 49.8% 39.3% 10.4%
County results Blagojevich:      30–40%      40–50%      50–60%      60–70% Topinka:      30–40%      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Governor before election Rod Blagojevich Democratic Elected Governor Rod Blagojevich Democratic

Incumbent Rod Blagojevich proven to be an incredible fundraiser, and governed a relatively strong blue state. But recent opinion polling showed that his approval rating at a rather dismal 44%.^[28] Blagojevich initially had the advantage in the general election, leading his Republican challenger, state Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka by eight percentage points in polls, although not reaching the fifty percent "safe zone" for incumbents. In March, Topinka won the GOP primary by 38% to 32% over dairy magnate Jim Oberweis. Meanwhile, a former Chicago Alderman named Edwin Eisendrath won a surprising 30% in the Democratic primary. During the election United States Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald was looking into the hiring practices of Governor Blagojevich.^[29]

An October 15 Rasmussen Reports poll showed Blagojevich dropping 4 points, to end with 44% and Topinka staying at 36%.^[30] An October 22 SurveyUSA poll had Blagojevich leading Topinka 44% to 34% with 8% undecided.^[31] However, an October 31 Mason-Dixon poll showed Blagojevich leading Topinka only 44% to 40% with 9% undecided.

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

Iowa gubernatorial election

← 2002 November 7, 2006 2010 →

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

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

Governor before election Tom Vilsack Democratic Elected Governor Chet Culver Democratic

Congressman Jim Nussle was the Republican nominee, while the Democratic Party nominated Iowa Secretary of State Chet Culver, a progressive whose father was a U.S. Senator. An October 11 poll by Rasmussen Reports showed the candidates tied at 42% each.^[33] An October 19 Rasmussen Reports poll had Culver leading Nussle 47% to 44%.^[34]

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

Kansas gubernatorial election

← 2002 November 7, 2006 2010 →

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

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

Governor before election Kathleen Sebelius Democratic Elected Governor Kathleen Sebelius Democratic

Incumbent Democratic Governor Kathleen Sebelius, who sported high approval ratings^[36] ran for re-election to serve a second and final term. Governor Sebelius was unopposed for the Democratic nomination and she faced the Republican nominee, State Senator Jim Barnett, who emerged from a crowded primary. Sebelius soundly defeated Barnett and cruised to re-election, which was quite a considerable feat for a Democrat in staunchly conservative Kansas.

Maine gubernatorial election

← 2002 November 7, 2006 2010 →

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

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

Governor before election John Baldacci Democratic Elected Governor John Baldacci Democratic

In February 2006, Baldacci was given a mere 41% approval rating by the voters of Maine in one poll.^[38] But when the GOP unexpectedly nominated conservative state Senator Chandler Woodcock over the more moderate state Senator Peter Mills and former Congressman Dave Emery, Baldacci was handed a huge boost.

Polls consistently showed Baldacci with a small lead. An October 17 Rasmussen Reports poll had Baldacci with 44% and Woodcock at 34%.^[39] Meanwhile, a Voice of the Voter poll^{[permanent dead link]} announced by WCSH on November 6, one day before the election, gave John Baldacci his smallest lead yet with only 36%, with Senator Chandler Woodcock 30% and the now leading independent Barbara Merrill 22%, more than doubling her share. Green Independent candidate Pat LaMarche polled at 11%.

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

Maryland gubernatorial election

← 2002 November 7, 2006 2010 →
Turnout	57.53% 4.32%[41]
Nominee Martin O'Malley Bob Ehrlich Party Democratic Republican Running mate Anthony Brown Kristen Cox Popular vote 942,279 825,464 Percentage 52.7% 46.2%
County results O'Malley:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Ehrlich:      50–60%      60–70%
Governor before election Bob Ehrlich Republican Elected Governor Martin O'Malley Democratic

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

A November 2 SurveyUSA poll had O'Malley leading Ehrlich 48% to 47% with 2% undecided.^[42] A November 3 Mason-Dixon poll has O'Malley and Ehrlich tied at 45% with 9% undecided.^[43] Democratic nominee Martin O'Malley was elected.

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

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

Massachusetts gubernatorial election

← 2002 November 7, 2006 2010 →
Turnout	56.23% 0.94 [45]
Nominee Deval Patrick Kerry Healey Christy Mihos Party Democratic Republican Independent Running mate Tim Murray Reed V. Hillman John J. Sullivan Popular vote 1,234,984 784,342 154,628 Percentage 55.0% 35.0% 6.9%
County results Precinct results Patrick:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% Healey:      40–50%      50–60% Tie:      40–50%
Governor before election Mitt Romney Republican Elected Governor Deval Patrick Democratic

With his approval ratings down, Governor Mitt Romney opted not to seek a second term. Romney endorsed his lieutenant governor, Kerry Healey, in her bid to succeed him. Healey was unopposed in the Republican primary. Deval Patrick, a former U.S. Assistant Attorney General who headed the Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division, won the Democratic primary with 50% of the vote^[46] against Thomas Reilly and Chris Gabrieli. Third-party candidates included Grace Ross of the Green-Rainbow Party and independent Christy Mihos, a former Republican and board member on the state Turnpike Authority. Over the course of the campaign, Patrick was the victim of several smears by the Healey campaign, including reports of his brother-in-law's criminal history that were leaked to the press.

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

Michigan gubernatorial election

← 2002 November 7, 2006 2010 →
Turnout	50.7% 7.2 [48]
Nominee Jennifer Granholm Dick DeVos Party Democratic Republican Running mate John Cherry Ruth Johnson Popular vote 2,142,513 1,608,086 Percentage 56.4% 42.3%
County results Precinct results Granholm:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% DeVos:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90% Tie:      40–50%      No data
Governor before election Jennifer Granholm Democratic Elected Governor Jennifer Granholm Democratic

Michigan, like many other Midwestern states, had been unable to take advantage of reported national economic and job growth. A string of plant and factory closings by big name companies such as General Motors in Granholm's state led to growing disapproval of her among voters. Opposing her was wealthy Republican businessman Dick DeVos. Throughout the race polls showed the election to be close, but in the last days Granholm pulled ahead. According to a November 1 EPIC-MRA poll, Granholm led DeVos 52% to 43% with 5% undecided. A November 4 SurveyUSA poll had Granholm leading DeVos 51% to 45%.^[49] Ultimately, Democratic incumbent Jennifer Granholm was re-elected with 56.4 percent of the vote.

Minnesota gubernatorial election

← 2002 November 7, 2006 2010 →

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

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

Governor before election Tim Pawlenty Republican Elected Governor Tim Pawlenty Republican

Pawlenty's approval rating was measured at 56%^[38] on September 21, 2006. In 2002, Pawlenty won the governor's mansion with only 44% of the vote, facing a strong challenge from DFL Party candidate Roger Moe and Independence Party candidate Tim Penny, a former DFLer himself. Pawlenty has been criticized by some Minnesotans for budget cuts to programs such as MinnesotaCare to balance the budget (and controversial moves such as deferring required payments to the state's education and health care funds to later budget biennia to make the budget appear balanced when it was actually not). Pawlenty faces another strong DFL challenge this year in state Attorney General Mike Hatch, who fended off a liberal primary challenge from State Senator Becky Lourey. Pawlenty and Hatch were virtually neck and neck, with between 40-45% support for both candidates as recently as September, until the Mark Foley scandal hit the papers late that month, and 5-6% for Independence Party candidate Peter Hutchinson.

An October 23 SurveyUSA poll has Hatch leading Pawlenty 45% to 44% and Hutchinson with 7% . A November 1 Saint Cloud Times poll has Hatch at 46% and Pawlenty at 36%.^[51] Republican incumbent Tim Pawlenty was re-elected.

Nebraska gubernatorial election

← 2002 November 7, 2006 2010 →

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

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

Governor before election Dave Heineman Republican Elected Governor Dave Heineman Republican

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

Nevada gubernatorial election

← 2002 November 7, 2006 2010 →

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

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

Governor before election Kenny Guinn Republican Elected Governor Jim Gibbons Republican

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

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

New Hampshire gubernatorial election

← 2004 November 7, 2006 2008 →

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

County results Municipality results Lynch:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% Coburn:      50–60%

Governor before election John Lynch Democratic Elected Governor John Lynch Democratic

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

New Mexico gubernatorial election

← 2002 November 7, 2006 2010 →

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

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

Governor before election Bill Richardson Democratic Elected Governor Bill Richardson Democratic

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

New York gubernatorial election

← 2002 November 7, 2006 2010 →
Turnout	34.9% [58]
Nominee Eliot Spitzer John Faso Party Democratic Republican Alliance Parties Independence Working Families Conservative Running mate David Paterson C. Scott Vanderhoef Popular vote 3,086,709 1,274,335 Percentage 65.3% 27.1%
County results Spitzer:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90% Faso:      40–50%      50–60%
Governor before election George Pataki Republican Elected Governor Eliot Spitzer Democratic

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

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

Gubernatorial election in New York, 2006 [59]
Party		Candidate	Running mate	Votes	Percentage	Swing
	Democratic	Eliot Spitzer		2,740,864	58.34%	26.84%
	Independence	Eliot Spitzer		190,661	4.06%	10.22%
	Working Families	Eliot Spitzer		155,184	3.30%	1.32%
	Total	Eliot Spitzer	David Paterson	3,086,709	65.70%	32.20%
	Republican	John Faso		1,105,681	23.54%	22.00%
	Conservative	John Faso		168,654	3.59%	0.27%
	Total	John Faso	C. Scott Vanderhoef	1,274,335	27.12%	22.28%
	Green	Malachy McCourt	Brian Jones	42,166	0.89%	0.02%
	Libertarian	John Clifton	Chris Edes	14,736	0.31%	0.20%
	Rent Is Too Damn High	Jimmy McMillan	None	13,355	0.28%	N/A
	Socialist Workers	Maura DeLuca	Ben O'Shaughnessy	5,919	0.13%	N/A
		Blank, Void, Scattering		116,622	5.55%
Majority				1,812,374	38.58%	22.68%
Totals				4,437,220	100.00%
	Democratic gain from Republican			Swing

Ohio gubernatorial election

← 2002 November 7, 2006 2010 →

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

County results Congressional district results Strickland:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90% Blackwell:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

Governor before election Bob Taft Republican Elected Governor Ted Strickland Democratic

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

Congressman Ted Strickland won the Democratic primary with 79% of the vote, defeating state representative Bryan Flannery. The Republican primary, between Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell and Ohio Attorney General Jim Petro, was more competitive by far. Petro came under fire for switching positions on same-sex marriage and abortion, as well as allegedly taking business from lawyers who refused to give him campaign contributions.^[60] Blackwell and Petro also split over proposals to reduce state spending. Blackwell ultimately won the primary with 56% of the vote.

Blackwell was not a close ally of disgraced Governor Taft, but Taft's unpopularity still damaged his campaign. The negativity of the Republican primary also damaged Blackwell's general election campaign. In addition, in 2006 there was a nationwide trend towards the Democratic Party. An October 6 poll by Rasmussen Reports showed that Strickland led by 52% to 40%, a decline from September.^[61] By contrast, an October 12 SurveyUSA poll had Strickland leading Blackwell 60% to 32%.^[62]

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

Oklahoma gubernatorial election

← 2002 November 7, 2006 2010 →

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

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

Governor before election Brad Henry Democratic Elected Governor Brad Henry Democratic

Incumbent Democratic Governor Brad Henry won re-election to a second term in a landslide, defeating Republican U.S. Representative Ernest Istook. Henry took 66.5% of the vote to Istook's 33.5% and swept all but three counties in the state.^[64]

Oregon gubernatorial election

← 2002 November 7, 2006 2010 →

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

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

Governor before election Ted Kulongoski Democratic Elected Governor Ted Kulongoski Democratic

Democratic Governor Ted Kulongoski was elected in 2002 barely defeating former State Representative Kevin Mannix. Kulongoski leads his challenger, former Portland Public School Board member Ron Saxton 51% to 44%.^[66] Oregon has not elected a Republican as governor since 1982, when Kulongoski lost to then-Governor Victor Atiyeh. Democratic incumbent Ted Kulongoski was re-elected.

Pennsylvania gubernatorial election

← 2002 November 7, 2006 2010 →

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

County results Congressional district results Precinct results Swann:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% Rendell:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%     80–90%      >90% Tie:      50%      No data

Governor before election Ed Rendell Democratic Elected Governor Ed Rendell Democratic

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

Rhode Island gubernatorial election

← 2002 November 7, 2006 2010 →

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

County results Municipality results Carcieri:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Fogarty:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

Governor before election Donald Carcieri Republican Elected Governor Donald Carcieri Republican

Polling in the race showed Donald Carcieri, Republican governor in one of the most liberal states in the country, running even with his Democratic challenger, Lieutenant Governor Charles J. Fogarty.^[69] Carcieri was re-elected with 51% of the vote.