2006 Idaho gubernatorial election
The 2006 Idaho gubernatorial election was held on November 7, 2006. Incumbent Governor Jim Risch succeeded Dirk Kempthorne, who resigned May 26 to become Secretary of the Interior. Risch served as governor until the end of the term, but had committed to a reelection campaign for Lieutenant Governor before Kempthorne's appointment and subsequent resignation.
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 County results Otter: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% Brady: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% | |||||||||||||||||
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This was the last time that a Democrat won over 40% of the vote in Idaho.
Republican primary
Candidates
- Dan Adamson, businessman and attorney
- Walter Bayes, perennial candidate
- Jack Alan Johnson
- C.L. "Butch" Otter, U.S. Representative and former Lieutenant Governor of Idaho
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Butch Otter | 96,045 | 70.02 | |
| Republican | Dan Adamson | 29,093 | 21.21 | |
| Republican | Jack Alan Johnson | 7,652 | 5.58 | |
| Republican | Walter Bayes | 4,385 | 3.20 | |
| Total votes | 137,175 | 100.00 | ||
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Jerry Brady, newspaper publisher and 2002 Democratic nominee for governor
- Lee Chaney, laborer
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Jerry Brady | 25,261 | 82.98 | |
| Democratic | Lee Chaney | 5,182 | 17.02 | |
| Total votes | 30,443 | 100.00 | ||
General Election
Candidates
| Elections in Idaho |
|---|
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- Marvin Richardson (unendorsed Constitution) – organic strawberry farmer[2] and sawmill owner
- Jerry Brady (Democratic), newspaper publisher and 2002 Democratic nominee for governor
- Ted Dunlap (Libertarian)
- Butch Otter (Republican), U.S. Congressman, former Lieutenant Governor of Idaho
Controversy
A candidate legally named Marvin Pro-Life Richardson filed suit to force the state to print his full legal on the ballots, as filed in campaign paperwork. The Secretary of State stated that ballots themselves are supposed to be neutral, not political billboards, and declined the request.[3] In September 2006 he changed his legal name to simply "Pro-Life" in an attempt to force the issue. However, the ballots went to the printer naming "Marvin Richardson" as the Constitution Party candidate. The party later disavowed his candidacy resulting in a candidate without a name, and without a party, appearing on the ballot.[4]
Predictions
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| The Cook Political Report[5] | Tossup | November 6, 2006 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[6] | Tossup | November 6, 2006 |
| Rothenberg Political Report[7] | Lean R | November 2, 2006 |
| Real Clear Politics[8] | Tossup | November 6, 2006 |
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Butch Otter | 237,437 | 52.67% | -3.61% | |
| Democratic | Jerry Brady | 198,845 | 44.11% | +2.38% | |
| Constitution | Marvin Richardson | 7,309 | 1.62% | ||
| Libertarian | Ted Dunlap | 7,241 | 1.61% | -0.38% | |
| Majority | 38,592 | 8.56% | -5.99% | ||
| Turnout | 450,832 | ||||
| Republican hold | Swing | ||||
References
- "2006 Primary Results statewide". Archived from the original on April 19, 2015. Retrieved April 17, 2017.
- Butts, Mike (April 6, 2006). "No 'Pro-Life' allowed on ballot". Idaho Press-Tribune. Archived from the original on September 19, 2008. Retrieved January 13, 2006.
- No ‘Pro-Life’ allowed on ballot Archived 2008-09-19 at the Wayback Machine, retrieved 12oct2006
- ‘Pro-Life’ Failed to receive the Idaho CP Certification For Candidacy, retrieved 12oct2006
- "2006 Governor Race Ratings for November 6, 2006" (PDF). The Cook Political Report. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 5, 2008. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
- "Election Eve 2006: THE FINAL PREDICTIONS". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
- "2006 Gubernatorial Ratings". Senate Ratings. The Rothenberg Political Report. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
- "Election 2006". Real Clear Politics. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
- "2006 General Results statewide". Archived from the original on February 6, 2008.