2006 United States House of Representatives elections in Arizona
The 2006 congressional elections in Arizona were elections for Arizona's delegation to the United States House of Representatives, which occurred along with congressional elections nationwide on November 7, 2006. Arizona has eight seats, as apportioned during the 2000 United States Census. Prior to the election, Republicans held six of the eight seats and Democrats held two. In the 8th district, Republican Congressman Jim Kolbe retired, leaving an open seat. Following the elections, Democrats gained two seats at the expense of the Republicans, who lost two.
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All 8 Arizona seats to the United States House of Representatives | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Elections in Arizona |
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Overview
2006 United States House of Representatives elections in Arizona[1] | |||||
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Party | Votes | Percentage | Seats | +/– | |
Republican | 771,246 | 51.7% | 4 | −2 | |
Democratic | 627,259 | 42.0% | 4 | +2 | |
Libertarian | 90,214 | 6.0% | 0 | - | |
Independents | 4,431 | 0.3% | 0 | - | |
Totals | 1,493,150 | 100.0% | 8 | - | |
District 1
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County results Renzi: 40–50% 50-60% 60–70% Simon: 50–60% | |||||||||||||||||
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The normally Republican 1st district, based in the region north of Phoenix and Tucson and one of the largest districts by land area in the country, had been represented by Republican Rick Renzi since his initial election in 2002.
Republican primary
Renzi faced ethical problems in this election and was named by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington as one of the most corrupt candidates running for office that year.[2]
Nominee
- Rick Renzi, incumbent U.S. Representative
Results
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Rick Renzi | 37,644 | 100.0 | |
Total votes | 37,644 | 100.0 |
Nominee
- Ellen Simon, attorney and activist
Eliminated in primary
Results
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Ellen Simon | 20,273 | 52.8 | |
Democratic | Susan Friedman | 7,062 | 18.4 | |
Democratic | Bob Donahue | 5,927 | 15.4 | |
Democratic | Mike Caccioppoli | 3,635 | 9.5 | |
Democratic | Vic McKerlie | 1,512 | 3.9 | |
Total votes | 38,409 | 100.0 |
Nominee
- David Schlosser, public relations manager[7]
Results
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Libertarian | David Schlosser | 606 | 100.0 | |
Total votes | 606 | 100.0 |
Campaign
Attorney and community activist Ellen Simon emerged as the Democratic nominee, and though she initially trailed Renzi by wide margins she made up much a large amount of ground and closed the gap, causing many to consider the race competitive.[8] Simon challenged Renzi to a series of eight debates, to which Renzi responded by attacking Simon's husband for being behind on child support payments to his ex-wife.[9]
Endorsements
- Federal officials
- State officials
- Albert Hale, state representative[11]
- Organizations
- Newspapers and publications
- Individuals
- Wesley Clark, General, 2004 democratic presidential candidate[14]
Results
Renzi won re-election by an eight-point margin.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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Republican | Rick Renzi (incumbent) | 105,646 | 51.8 | |
Democratic | Ellen Simon | 88,691 | 43.5 | |
Libertarian | David Schlosser | 9,802 | 4.8 | |
Total votes | 204,139 | 100.0 | ||
Republican hold | ||||
District 2
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County results Thrasher: 60-70% 70-80% Franks: 50–60% 60-70% | |||||||||||||||||
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The heavily conservative and gerrymandered District 2, which owed its strange shape to the decision to not have Hopi and Navajo Native Americans represented by the same congressman due to historic tensions between them, had been represented by Republican Trent Franks since his initial election in 2002. Franks had been re-elected comfortably in the intervening years due to the conservative nature of the Phoenix suburbs that the district pulled from. He faced Democratic challenger John Thrasher, a music teacher who based his campaign around anti-corruption and immigration reform.[16] Franks comfortably won re-election, albeit by a smaller margin than usual.[17]
Candidates
- Suchindran Chatterjee (Democratic), engineer and educator[18]
- Trent Franks (Republican), incumbent U,.S. Representative
- Powell Gamill (Libertarian), molecular biologist[19]
- Gene Scharer (Democratic), educator[18]
- John Thrasher (Democratic), educator[18]
Results
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Trent Franks | 51,386 | 67.1 | |
Democratic | John Trasher | 11,521 | 15.0 | |
Democratic | Gene Scharer | 8,462 | 11.1 | |
Democratic | Suchindran Chatterjee | 4,667 | 6.1 | |
Libertarian | Powell Gamill | 494 | 0.6 |
Candidates
- Trent Franks (Republican), incumbent U,.S. Representative
- John Thrasher (Democratic), educator[18]
- Powell Gamill (Libertarian), molecular biologist[19]
- William Crum (Write-in), blogger[21]
Results
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Trent Franks (incumbent) | 135,150 | 58.6 | |
Democratic | John Thrasher | 89,671 | 38.9 | |
Libertarian | Powell Gammill | 5,734 | 2.5 | |
Write-ins | William Crum | 5 | 0.0 | |
Total votes | 230,560 | 100.0 | ||
Republican hold | ||||
District 3
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County results Shadegg: 50–60% | |||||||||||||||||
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The staunchly conservative 3rd district, based in the northern portion of Phoenix and its northern suburbs, had been represented by incumbent Republican John Shadegg since his initial election in 1994. In 2006, Shadegg faced Democratic nominee Herb Paine, a consultant, in the general election. True to the district’s conservative nature, Shadegg defeated Paine by a wide margin, though it was significantly reduced from his 2004 margin.
Candidates
- Don Chilton (Democratic), retired engineer[22]
- Jim McCoy (Democratic)[20]
- Herb Paine (Democratic), consultant
- John Shadegg (Republican), incumbent U.S. Representative
- Mark Yannone (Libertarian), businessman[23]
Results
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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Republican | John Shadegg | 35,763 | 69.1 | |
Democratic | Herb Paine | 7,902 | 15.2 | |
Democratic | Don Chilton | 7,759 | 15.0 | |
Libertarian | Mark Yannone | 322 | 0.6 | |
Democratic | Jim McCoy | 12 | 0.0 |
Candidates
- John Shadegg (Republican), incumbent U.S. Representative
- Herb Paine (Democratic), consultant
- Mark Yannone (Libertarian), businessman[23]
Endorsements
- Individuals
- Wesley Clark, General, 2004 democratic presidential candidate[24]
Results
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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Republican | John Shadegg (incumbent) | 112,519 | 59.3 | |
Democratic | Herb Paine | 72,586 | 38.2 | |
Libertarian | Mark Yannone | 4,744 | 2.5 | |
Total votes | 189,849 | 100.0 | ||
Republican hold | ||||
District 4
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County results Pastor: 70-80% | |||||||||||||||||
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The heavily liberal 4th district, based in the southern portion of Phoenix and its southern suburbs, had a high Hispanic-American population. Incumbent Democrat Ed Pastor had represented this portion of the state since a special election in 1991 to replace Mo Udall. In 2006, Pastor faced Republican Don Karg, an aerospace executive, and Ronald Harders, a Libertarian write-in candidate.
Primary
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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Democratic | Ed Pastor | 14,833 | 67.4 | |
Republican | Don Karg | 7,175 | 32.6 | |
Libertarian | Ronald Harders | 12 | 0.1 |
Candidates
Results
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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Democratic | Ed Pastor (incumbent) | 56,464 | 72.5 | |
Republican | Don Karg | 18,627 | 23.9 | |
Libertarian | Ronald Harders | 2,770 | 3.6 | |
Total votes | 77,861 | 100.0 | ||
Democratic hold | ||||
District 5
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County results Mitchell: 50–60% | |||||||||||||||||
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The conservative-leaning 5th district included a small portion of Phoenix and many of its northeastern suburbs, such as Scottsdale and Tempe. Republican J. D. Hayworth had represented the area since his initial election in 1994 and many considered him to be vulnerable to a Democratic challenger. Harry Mitchell, a former Mayor of Tempe, State Senator, and Chairman of the Democratic Party of Arizona, emerged as the Democrats' leading challenger to Hayworth. The race was close for much of the fall, and Mitchell ultimately edged out Hayworth on election day by a four-point margin and was elected to his first term in Congress.
Endorsemens
- Individuals
- Wesley Clark, General, 2004 democratic presidential candidate[25]
Primary
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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Republican | J. D. Hayworth | 38,275 | 63.3 | |
Democratic | Harry Mitchell | 20,852 | 35.0 | |
Libertarian | Warren Severin | 387 | 0.7 |
Candidates
- J. D. Hayworth (Republican), incumbent U.S. Representative
- Harry Mitchell (Democratic), chair of the Democratic Party of Arizona; former state senator
- Warren Severin (Libertarian), businessman[26]
Results
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |||
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Democratic | Harry Mitchell | 101,838 | 50.4 | |||
Republican | J. D. Hayworth (incumbent) | 93,815 | 46.4 | |||
Libertarian | Warren Severin | 6,357 | 3.2 | |||
Total votes | 202,010 | 100.0 | ||||
Democratic gain from Republican | ||||||
District 6
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County results Flake: 70–80% | |||||||||||||||||
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The heavily conservative 6th district, based in the eastern suburbs of Phoenix, had been represented by Republican Congressman Jeff Flake since his initial election in 2000. Flake built up a repertoire in Congress as being a staunch fiscal conservative and an anti-earmark advocate. Flake faced no Democratic opponent and was overwhelmingly re-elected to his fourth term in Congress over Libertarian candidate Jason Blair.
Primary
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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Republican | Jeff Flake | 43,199 | 100.0 | |
Libertarian | Jason M. Blair | 19 | 0.0 |
Candidates
- Jeff Flake (Republican), incumbent U.S. Representative[15]
- Jason M. Blair (Libertarian)[15]
Results
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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Republican | Jeff Flake (incumbent) | 152,201 | 74.8 | |
Libertarian | Jason M. Blair | 51,285 | 25.2 | |
Total votes | 203,486 | 100.0 | ||
Republican hold | ||||
District 7
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County results Grijalva: 40-50% 70-80% Drake: 40-50% 50–60% | |||||||||||||||||
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The heavily Democratic 7th district, based in southwestern Arizona and covering much of the state’s border with Mexico, had a majority Hispanic-American population and had been represented by Democratic Congressman Raúl Grijalva since 2003. Grijalva faced the former Mayor of Avondale, Republican Ron Drake, and Libertarian write-in candidate Joe Cobb. Grijalva defeated both Drake and Cobb by a comfortable margin.
Candidates
- Joe Cobb (Libertarian), political advisor and economic instructor[27]
- Ron Drake (Republican), former mayor of Avondale
- Raúl Grijalva (Democratic), incumbent U.S. Representative
- Joseph Sweeney, perennial candidate[28]
Results
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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Democratic | Raúl Grijalva | 26,604 | 61.6 | |
Republican | Ron Drake | 11,521 | 26.7 | |
Republican | Joseph Sweeney | 8,462 | 19.6 | |
Libertarian | Joe Cobb | 13 | 0.0 |
Candidates
- Raúl Grijalva (Democratic), incumbent U.S. Representative
- Ron Drake (Republican), former mayor of Avondale
- Joe Cobb (Libertarian), political advisor and economic instructor[27]
Results
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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Democratic | Raúl Grijalva (incumbent) | 80,354 | 61.1 | |
Republican | Ron Drake | 46,498 | 35.4 | |
Libertarian | Joe Cobb | 4,673 | 3.6 | |
Total votes | 131,525 | 100.0 | ||
Democratic hold | ||||
District 8
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County results Giffords: 50–60% Graf: 50-60% | |||||||||||||||||
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Long-serving Republican Congressman Jim Kolbe, a respected moderate and an openly gay man, declined to seek a seventh term in Congress and thus created an open seat. The marginally conservative 8th district, based in southeastern Arizona, had narrowly supported George W. Bush in 2000 and 2004 and the election was considered to be competitive. Former State Representative Randy Graf, who was heavily conservative and had challenged Kolbe in the Republican primary in 2004, defeated the more moderate Steve Huffman, a state representative, in the open primary, in spite of ad buys in favor of Huffman by national Republicans.[29][30] Former State Senator Gabby Giffords, a moderate Democrat, triumphed against several Democrats, the most notable of which was television anchor Patty Weiss,[29] in the open primary, and thus she and Graf faced off against each other in the general election. Giffords was the tentative favorite for most of the election, as many moderates were turned off by Graf’s conservative views and Kolbe did not endorse him as the Republican candidate. On election day, Giffords emerged victorious over Graf by a comfortable twelve-point margin and won her first term in Congress.
Candidates
- Frank Antenori, U.S. Army veteran[31]
- Gabby Giffords, former state senator
- Randy Graf, former state representative
- Mike Hellon, former chair of the Arizona Republican Party[32]
- Steve Huffman, state representative
- Michael T. Jenkins, automobile repair shop owner[33]
- William Daniel Johnson, white nationalist activist[34]
- Jeffrey Lynn Latas, U.S. Air Force veteran[35]
- David F. Nolan, co-founder of the Libertarian Party
- Patty Weiss, television anchor[36]
- Alex Rodriguez, member of the Tucson Unified School District board[37]
- Francine Shacter, former Democratic precinct chairwoman[38]
Endorsements
- Individuals
- Wesley Clark, General, 2004 democratic presidential candidate[39]
- Federal officials
- Organizations
Results
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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Democratic | Gabby Giffords | 33,375 | 26.3 | |
Republican | Randy Graf | 27,063 | 21.3 | |
Republican | Steve Huffman | 24,119 | 19.0 | |
Democratic | Patty Weiss | 19,148 | 15.1 | |
Republican | Mike Hellon | 9,095 | 7.2 | |
Democratic | Jeffrey Lynn Latas | 3,687 | 2.9 | |
Democratic | Alex Rodriguez | 2,855 | 2.2 | |
Republican | Frank Antenori | 2,724 | 2.1 | |
Republican | Michael T. Jenkins | 2,075 | 1.6 | |
Democratic | William Daniel Johnson | 1,768 | 1.4 | |
Democratic | Francine Shacter | 576 | 0.4 | |
Libertarian | David F. Nolan | 516 | 0.4 |
Candidates
- Gabby Giffords (Democratic), former state senator
- Randy Graf (Republican), former state representative
- David F. Nolan (Libertarian), co-founder of the Libertarian Party
- Jay Quick (Independent), geologist and businessman[42]
- Russ Dove (Write-in), militiaman; campaign manager for William Daniel Johnson[43][34]
- Leo F. Kimminau (Write-in)[15]
- Paul Price (Write-in)[15]
Results
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |||
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Democratic | Gabby Giffords | 137,655 | 54.3 | |||
Republican | Randy Graf | 106,790 | 42.1 | |||
Libertarian | David F. Nolan | 4,849 | 1.9 | |||
Independent | Jay Dudley Quick | 4,408 | 1.7 | |||
Write-ins | Russ Dove | 7 | 0.0 | |||
Write-ins | Leo F. Kimminau | 7 | 0.0 | |||
Write-ins | Paul Price | 5 | 0.0 | |||
Total votes | 253,720 | 100.0 | ||||
Democratic gain from Republican | ||||||
References
- "Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives".
- "Beyond DeLay Spotlight: Rep. Rick Renzi (R-AZ) | Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington". Archived from the original on August 10, 2011. Retrieved June 16, 2011.
- Pela, Robert P. (March 2, 2006). "Load of Crappioppoli". Phoenix New Times. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
- "Bob Donahue". Ballotpedia. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
- "Susan Friedman's Biography". VoteSmart. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
- Bryan, Michael (July 31, 2006). "20 Questions with Vic McKerlie, Democratic Congressional Candidate in AZ's CD 1". Blog for Arizona. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
- "About". Schlosser for Congress. 2006. Archived from the original on October 18, 2006. Retrieved April 6, 2021.
- Benenson, Bob (August 10, 2016). "Big Batch of Rating Changes Reflects Stronger Democratic Breeze". CQPolitics. Archived from the original on August 13, 2006. Retrieved April 6, 2021.
- Cole, Cindy (September 16, 2006). "Simon challenges Renzi to series of debates". Arizona Daily Star. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
- Hennessy-Fiske, Molly (October 5, 2006). "Bush Promises Victory in Iraq, Safety for Schools". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
- "Navajo Democrat upset over Renzi 'endorsement'". Indianz. October 9, 2006. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
- Kraushaar, Josh (May 9, 2007). "Female candidacies on the rise". Politico. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
- "Esquire Endorses America". Esquire. November 1, 2006. Retrieved July 12, 2021.
- "Ellen Simon (AZ-01) | WesPAC". November 4, 2006. Archived from the original on November 4, 2006. Retrieved April 8, 2023.
- "State of Arizona Official Canvass" (PDF). Arizona Secretary of State. November 2006. Retrieved April 6, 2021.
- Dryer, Carolyn (April 20, 2006). "John Thrasher tuning up for run at Franks' seat". Glendale Star. Retrieved September 13, 2021.
- Seckler, Jim (November 7, 2006). "Franks wins re-election". Mohave Daily News. Retrieved September 13, 2021.
- Horus45 (August 11, 2006). "John Thrasher: The Man To Beat Trent Franks". DailyKos. Retrieved April 6, 2021.
- "Who is Powell Gammill?". Gammill for Congress. 2006. Archived from the original on November 1, 2006. Retrieved April 6, 2021.
- "State of Arizona official canvass" (PDF). Arizona Secretary of State. September 12, 2006. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
- Crum, William (2006). "Average joe in 2006". Crum for Congress. Archived from the original on November 15, 2006. Retrieved April 6, 2021.
- "Don Chilton". Ballotpedia. Retrieved April 14, 2021.
- "Who is Mark Yannone?". Yannone for Congress. Archived from the original on November 1, 2006. Retrieved April 6, 2021.
- "Herb Paine (AZ-03) | WesPAC". November 4, 2006. Archived from the original on November 4, 2006. Retrieved April 8, 2023.
- "Harry Mitchell (AZ-5) | WesPAC". October 13, 2007. Archived from the original on October 13, 2007. Retrieved April 8, 2023.
- "About me..." Severin 4 Congress. 2006. Archived from the original on November 2, 2006. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
- "Joe Cobb's Biography". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
- Prezelski, Ted (April 5, 2011). "Adios, Joe: The electoral history of Joe Sweeney". Tucson Sentinel. Retrieved April 14, 2021.
- Archibold, Randal C. (September 11, 2006). "In Cost and Vitriol, Race in Arizona Draws Notice". The New York Times. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
- Zernike, Kate (September 13, 2006). "Republican primary deals setback to Democrats in U.S." The New York Times. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
- McCombs, Brady (January 28, 2012). "Antenori, in 2nd attempt at Congress, says he's ideal". Arizona Daily Star. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
- "Kolbe won't seek re-election". East Valley Tribune. November 23, 2005. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
- Nintzel, Jim (June 22, 2006). "Promises, Promises". Tucson Weekly. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
- Bianco, James N. (April 29, 2008). "White Supremacist Is in Contest With Court Commissioner". Metropolitan News-Enterprise. p. 6. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
- Bryan, Michael (March 20, 2006). "Interview with Jeff Latas, Democrat for Congress in Arizona's CD8". Blog for Arizona. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
- Long, Levi J. (November 18, 2007). "Patty Weiss moving to Madison, Wis". Arizona Daily Star. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
- Bryan, Michael (April 17, 2006). "An Interview with Alex Rodriguez, Democratic Candidate for Congress in Arizona's CD 8". Blog for Arizona. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
- "SHACTER, Francine E." Arizona Daily Star. June 19, 2018. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
- "Gabrielle Giffords (AZ -08) | WesPAC". November 4, 2006. Archived from the original on November 4, 2006. Retrieved April 8, 2023.
- Sunnucks, Mike (May 8, 2006). "Kolbe backs business ally Huffman in key contest". Phoenix Business Journal. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
- "U.S. Chamber makes endorsement in Tucson-area race". Phoenix Business Journal. August 10, 2006. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
- "Resume". Average Joe for Congress. 2006. Archived from the original on November 1, 2006. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
- Buchanan, Susy; Kim, Tom (November 2, 2006). "The Nativists". Southern Poverty Law Center. Retrieved April 10, 2021.