Alabama
(June
6 primary). Gov. Bob Riley (R) won re-election to a second term
by a margin of 58% to 42%, easily fending off a challenge from Lt. Gov.
Lucy Baxley (D). There were no changes in the U.S. House delegation,
which stayed at 5R-2D. Three seats were not even contested
(5. B.Cramer (D), 6. S.Bachus (R), and 7. A.Davis (D)); in the 1st,
2nd and 4th the Republican incumbents obtained more than 2/3rds of the
vote; the closest result was in the 3rd where M.Rogers (R)
obtained 60%. Democrats retained solid control of both chambers in
the Alabama Legislature. All seats were up; Democrats' majorities
were slightly decreased from 63D-42R in the House and 25D-10R
in the Senate to 62D-43R in the House and 23D-12R in the
Senate.
Alaska
(August
22 primary). Gov. Frank Murkowski (R) lost the Aug. 22 primary to
former Wasilla mayor and former chairman of Alaska's Oil and Gas Conservation
Commission Sarah Palin (R). Palin went on to defeat former
Gov. Tony Knowles (D), who was elected in 1994 and 1998, former
State Rep. Andrew Halcro, who is president of Avis Alaska and ran as
an independent, and several others by 49% to 41% and 10% with about 1%
for others. Republicans retained control of both chambers in the
Alaska Legislature although Democrats made some gains. All 40 House
seats and 10 of the 20 Senate seats were up; Republicans' majorities were
trimmed from 26R-14D in the House and 12R-8D in the Senate
to 23R-17D in the House and 11R-9D in the Senate.
Arizona
(September
12 primary). Gov. Janet Napolitano (D) won a second term, easily
defeating attorney Len Munsil (R) and Barry Hess (L) by 63%
to 35% to 2%. Sen. John Kyl (R) defeated developer and former
state Democratic chair Jim Pederson (D) and Richard Mack (L)
by 53% to 44% to 3%; Democrats thought they might have some chance of picking
up this seat. In U.S. House races, Democrats did pick up two seats
going from 6R-2D in the 109th Congress to 4R-4D in
the 110th. In the 8th CD in Southern Arizona, open due to the retirement
of Rep. Jim Kolbe (R), former State Rep. Randy Graf (R) lost to
former
State Sen. Gabrielle Giffords (D) by 54% to 42%; David Nolan (L),
the principal founder of the national Libertarian Party picked up less
than 2%. Graf was seen by many analysts as too conservative for the
district. The 5th CD (NE Maricopa County including Tempe and Scottsdale)
produced an upset; Rep. J.D. Hayworth (R) lost to former Tempe mayor
and current State Sen. Harry Mitchell (D) by 50% to 46% with 3%
to the Libertarian. In the Arizona State Legislature, all seats were
up. Republicans kept control both chambers; their majorities went
from House 39R-21D and Senate 18R-12D to House 32R-28D
while the Senate numbers remained the same. Arizonans also faced
19 ballot measures. They voted to make English the official state
language (Prop. 103), to approve several measures on illegal immigrants,
to raise the minimum wage (Prop. 202), and to reject a measure to define
marriage as between a man and a woman (Prop. 107). Democrats
pick up two U.S. House seats.
Arkansas
(May 23 primary).
Attorney
General Mike Beebe (D) defeated former Rep. Asa Hutchinson (R),
Rod
Bryan (I), and former State Rep. Jim Lendall (G) by 55% to 41%,
2% and 2% in the race to succeed Gov. Mike Huckabee (R), who assumed the
office in 1996. All four Congressmen (3D-1R) were re-elected
with over 60% of the vote. In the General Assembly, all 100 House
seats and 17 Senate seats; Democrats maintained their large majorities
in both chambers; the balance went from 72D-28R in the House and
27D-8R in the Senate to 75D-25R in the House and the same
Senate numbers. Democrats
pick up the governorship.
California
(June
6 primary). Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) defeated State Treasurer
Phil Angelides (D) by 56% to 39% and 5% for four minor party candidates.
However Democrats achieved some success in winning most other statewide
offices (Lt.Gov., SofS, Controller, Treasurer, AG, but not Ins. Commissioner).
Sen.
Dianne Feinstein (D) easily defeated former State Sen. Dick Mountjoy
(R) by 60% to 35% and 5% for four minor party candidates. In
U.S. House races Democrats gained one seat to bring the delegation to 33D-20R
from 32D-21R; they came close in a second. Democrats made
some noise about the 11th CD (parts of San Joaquin, Alameda, Contra Costa
and Santa Clara Counties), but this was seen as a longshot; seven-term
incumbent Rep. Richard Pombo (R) faced Jerry McNerney (D)
for a second time. However, a significant investment by the Sierra
Club, Defenders of Wildlife and the League of Conservation Voters combined
with a poorly run campaign by Pombo tipped the seat to the McNerney.
In the 4th CD (eastern Sacramento Region), Rep. John Doolittle (R)
fended off a challenge from Charlie Brown (D) by 49% to 46% and
5% for the Libertarian candidate. In the 50th CD (north coastal San
Diego County), Rep. Randy Cunningham (R) resigned effective Dec. 1, 2005
due to a bribery scandal. Former Rep. Brian Bilbray (R) defeated
Francine
Busby (D) on June 6 in the closely watched race to fill the seat; Bilbray
defeated Busby again on Nov. 7. Finally in the 22nd CD (Bakersfield
area), Rep. Bill Thomas (R), first elected in 1978, announced his retirement;
Assemblyman
Kevin McCarthy (R) held this safe Republican seat. In the state
legislature, where Democrats control both chambers, there was little change.
All 80 House seats and 20 of 40 Senate seats were up; the balance went
from House 47D-32R-1O and Senate 25D-15R to 47D-33R
and Senate 24D-16R. Voters also decided 13 propositions.
The Initiative and Referendum Institute reported that more than $150 million,
a record amount, was spent for and against Proposition 87, a measure designed
to reduce dependence on oil and encourage development of alternatives.
Despite the support of such luminaries as Bill Clinton and Al Gore, voters
defeated the meaure. Democrats pick
up one U.S. House seat.
Colorado
(August 8 primary).
Gov. Bill Owens (R) was term-limited. Bill
Ritter (D) defeated Rep. Bob Beauprez
(R) by 56% to 41% and 3% for three other candidates. Democrats
picked up one U.S. House seat, going from 4R-3D to 4D-3R.
The open 7th CD seat (Denver area; portions of Jefferson, Adams and Arapahoe
counties) held by Beauprez was initially seen as one of the more competitive
seats in the country, but former
State Sen. Ed Perlmutter (D) prevailed
by a 55% to 42% margin over Rick
O'Donnell (R), the former head of the Colorado Department of Higher
Education, with Adams-Jefferson County Green Party chair Dave Chandler
(G) and another candidate getting the remainder. The
4th CD seat (Eastern Colorado; 16 counties and parts of 2 others) proved
more competitive; Rep. Marilyn Musgrave (R) narrowly defeated State
Rep. Angie Paccione (D) and Eric Eidsness (Ref.). The
5th CD (Colorado Springs), open due to Rep. Joel Hefley's (R) retirement,
was seen as a safe Republican seat; State Sen. Doug Lamborn (R) defeated
Jay
Fawcett (D) by 59% to 41%. In the General Assembly, all House
seats and 17 Senate seats were up. Democrats built upon narrow majorities
in both chambers, going from House 35D-30R, Senate 18D-17R
to House 39D-26R, Senate 20D-15R. Coloradans also voted on
7 amendments and 7 referenda. They approved a measure to raise the
minumum wage (Amendment 42) and one to define marriage as between a man
and a woman (Amendment 43). Democrats
pick up the governorship and one U.S. House seat.
Connecticut
(August 8 primary).
Gov.
M.
Jodi Rell (R), who assumed office in July
2004, defeated New Haven Mayor John
DeStefano (D) by 63% to 35% and 2% to two
minor party candidates. In one of the most watched primaries in the
country, Sen. Joe Lieberman (D) lost on Aug. 8 to businessman Ned
Lamont (D), but then ran as an Independent. Many prominent Democrats
came in to campaign with Lamont, but Lieberman's experience carried the
day as he defeated Lamont by 50% to 40%, with 10% for Alan Schlesinger
(R) and 1% to two minor party candidates. Connecticut had three
closely watched U.S. House races; the delegation went from 3R-2D
to 4D-1R. The 2nd CD, which encompasses the Eastern 40% of
the state, was one of the closest races in the country; after a mandatory
recount Rep. Rob Simmons (R) lost to former state legislator and
2002 candidate Joe Courtney (D) by fewer than 100 votes. In
the 4th, the Southwestern tip of the state along Long Island Sound (strong
New
York influence), Rep. Christopher Shays (R) won a re-match with
Westport selectwoman Diane Farrell (D) by 51% to 48% with 1% to
Phil
Maymin (L). In the 5th, Northwestern Connecticut,
Rep. Nancy
Johnson (R) lost to State Sen. Chris Murphy (D) in her bid for
a 13th term (Johnson was first elected in 1982). In the General Assembly
all seats were up. Democrats picked up seven seats in the House,
going from 99D-52R to 106D-45R; the Senate remained
at 24D-12R. Democrats
pick up two U.S. House seats.
Delaware
(September
12 primary). Sen. Tom Carper (D) handily won re-election, defeating
Jan Ting (R) by 70% to 29% with 1% for the Libertarian. In the
General Assembly all 41 House seats and 11 of 21 Senate seats were up.
The legislature remained split. The House went from 25R-15D-1O
to 23R-18D while the Senate remained at13D-8R).
Florida
(September 5
primary). Florida had a busy cycle. In the race to succeed Gov. Jeb
Bush (R), Attorney General Charlie Crist (R) defeated Rep. Jim
Davis (R), Max Linn (Ref.) and three others by 52% to 45% and
2%. Sen. Bill Nelson (D), seeking re-election, soundly defeated
Rep.
Katherine Harris (R) by 60% to 38% with the remainder split among four
others. Five U.S. House seats were in play, and Democrats had some
success, going from 18R-7D to tbd. In the 22nd CD (a very
thin district running from Jupiter and Juno Beach in Palm Beach County
to Fort Lauderdale in Broward County) Rep. E. Clay Shaw (R), a congressman
since 1981, lost his seat to State Sen. Ron Klein (D) in a race
that cost at least $13.5 million (the two campaign committees reported
receipts totaling $7.9 million as of Oct. 18 and the parties weighed in
with another $5.6 million). There were four open U.S. House seats.
In the 11th CD (Tampa), which was the Davis (D) seat, Kathy Castor (D)
held the seat for the Democrats. In the 9th CD (Tarpon Springs),
where Rep. Mike Bilirakis (R) is retiring, State Rep. Gus Bilirakis
(R) faced a strong challenge from former Hillsborough County Commissioner
Phyllis
Busansky (D) but won convincingly. In the 13th CD (Sarasota),
which was the Harris (R) seat, businessman Vern Buchanan (R) has
claimed a narrow victory over former bank president Christine Jennings
(D). On Nov. 20 the state's Election Canvassing Commission certified
him as the winner by a 369-vote margin, but Jennings' attorneys immediately
filed suit in Leon County Circuit Court. They are arguing that "the
electronic voting machines in Sarasota County failed to record votes in
this race for more than one out of every seven voters." Jennings'
team claims that many votes in the race were lost due to a software glitch
or system error with the iVotronic touch-screen voting machines (manufactured
by ES&S) and that there may need to be a revote. Dan Takaji,
in his Equal Vote Blog
at Moritz College of Law, suggested the problem might actually be one of
ballot design.
On Dec. 20, Jennings' attorneys filed a Notice of Contest with the House
Administration Committee. [press
release] Finally, in the 16th CD (Port Charlotte, Lake Okeechobee,
Port St Lucie) the Sept. 29, 2006 resignation of Rep. Mark Foley (R) opened
the door for businessman
Tim Mahoney (D); Republicans named State
Rep. Joe Negron as the replacement candidate, and although his name
did not appear on the ballot he came within a couple of percentage points
of holding the seat. In the Florida Legislature all 120 House seats
and 20 Senate seats were up. Republicans maintained solid majorities
in both chambers; Democrats picked up 7 seats in the House, going from
85R-35D to 78R-42D while in the Senate balance stayed at
26R-14D. Democrats pick up
two, possibly three U.S. House seats (pending outcome in the 13th CD).
Georgia
(July
18 primary). Gov. Sonny Perdue (R) won a second term, defeating
Lt.
Gov. Mark Taylor (D) and Garrett Michael Hayes (L) by 58% to
38% and 4%. In U.S. House races, DeKalb County Commissioner
Hank
Johnson (D) defeated Rep. Cynthia McCkinney (D) in the primary
and went on to a resounding win in the general election. Georgia
saw two of the closest House races in the country, contests which proved
to be the Republicans' best hopes for pickups. In the 12th CD (Eastern
GA from Savannah to Athens) Rep. John Barrow (D) faced off against
former
Rep. Max Burns (R), whom he defeated in 2004; Barrow eked out a narrow
win of 864 votes -- 71,651 votes (50.3%) to 70,787 (49.7%). In the
8th CD (26 counties and parts of 5 others in Central GA) Rep. Jim Marshall
(D) fended off a strong challenge from former
Rep. Mac Collins (R)
by 1,752 votes -- 80,660 votes (50.5%) to 78,908 (49.5%). In the
General Assembly, all seats were up. Republicans maintained their
majorities in both chambers--going from 104R-76D in the House to
106R-74D, while the 34R-22D margin remained unchanged in
the Senate. Also noteworthy, this statement from
the Secretary of State's website: "On September 19, 2006, a Fulton County
Superior Court Judge issued a Permanent Injunction regarding photo identification
requirements. All previous 17 forms of identification, including
the statement of elector used in place of ID listed in O.C.G.A. §
21-2-417, will be acceptable for voting during the November 7, 2006 General
Election and General Election Run-off."
Hawaii
(September
23 primary). Gov. Linda Lingle (R) convincingly won re-election,
defeating former State Sen. Randy Iwase (D) by 63% to 35% with 2%
to Jim Brewer (G) and 1% to Ozell Daniel (L). Sen.
Daniel Akaka (D) fended off a primary challenge from Rep. Ed Case
(D) and then defeated State Rep. Cythia Thielen (R) by 61% to
37% and 2% to the Libertarian. Case's unsuccessful challenge to Akaka
opened up the 2nd CD seat which former Lt. Gov. Mazie Hirono (D)
won by a solid margin. In the state legislature all 51 House seats
and 13 of the 25 Senate seats were up. Democrats kept solid majorities
in both chambers going from 41D-10R in the House to 43D-8R and staying
at 20D-5R in the Senate.
Idaho
(May
23 primary). On March 16, 2006 President Bush nominated Gov. Dirk Kempthorne
(R) for Interior Secretary; he was confirmed and Lt. Gov. Jim Risch (R)
became governor on May 26. Risch did not seek election. The
governor's race pitted Rep. C.L. "Butch" Otter (R) against Jerry
Brady (D), president of the Idaho Falls Post Register, who also
ran in 2002, along with Marvin Pro-Life Richardson (C) and Ted
Dunlap (L); Otter prevailed by 53% to 44% with the third party candidates
getting about 2% each. The 1st CD seat opened up by Otter proved
surprisingly competitive; State Rep. Bill Sali (R) won a six-way
primary with 26% of the vote and ultimately bested Larry Grant (D) by
about 5 percentage points. All seats in the state legislature were
up. Republicans maintained their solid majorities although Democrats
picked up a few House seats, going from 57R-13D to 51R-19D, while
the Senate stayed at 28R-7D. Idahoans also voted on five ballot
measures, approving a marriage protection amendment, but rejecting an addition
of 1% to the sales tax and a proposition on eminent domain and land use.
Illinois
(March
21 primary). Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D) won re-election, but ethics
concerns held him to under 50% of the vote to 40% for State Treasurer
Judy Baar Topinka (R) and 10% for Rich Whitney (G); Mark
McCoy (L) ran as a write in candidate. The U.S. House delegation
remained at 10D-9R. There were a couple of open U.S. House
seats due to retirements: the 6th CD (part of Cook and Dupage Counties)
held by Rep. Henry Hyde (R) and the 17th CD (Rock Island) held by Rep.
Lane Evans (D). In the 6th, State Sen. Peter Roskam (R) was
seen as favored over Iraq War veteran Tammy Duckworth (D), and he
won by about 2 percentage points. In the 17th, Lane's aide Phil
Hare (D) was seen as favored over former TV anchor/reporter Andrea
Zelinga (R), and he won with relative ease. One of the more closely
watched races in the country was in the 8th CD (Northeast corner of the
state) where first term Rep. Melissa Bean (D) defeated investment
banker David McSweeney (R). In the General Assembly all 118
House seats and 39 of the 59 Senate seats were up. Democrats strengthened
their control in both chambers going from 64D-53R-1O in the House
and 31D-27R-1O in the Senate to 66D-52R in the House and
37D-22R in the Senate.
Indiana
(May
2 primary). Sen. Dick Lugar (R), facing only Steve Osborn (L),
cruised to a sixth term (he was first elected in 1976). Three U.S.
House seats were in play and Democrats swept all three, going from 7R-2D
to 5D-4R. In the 9th CD (Southeastern Indiana along the Ohio
River) Rep. Mike Sodrel (R) lost a rematch to former Rep. Baron
Hill (D), the man he defeated in 2004, by 50% to 46% with 4% for the
Libertarian. In the 8th (Western Indiana from Evansville in the South
to Warren County in the North), Vanderburgh County Sheriff Brad Ellsworth
(D) defeated Rep. John Hostettler (R) by 61% to 39%. In
the 2nd CD (includes South Bend), Rep. Chris Chocola (R) lost a
rematch to businessman/attorney Joe Donnelly (D) by 54% to 46%.
Sen. Bayh put a lot of effort into the three House races and the outcome
provides a boost to his presidential ambitions. In the General Assembly
all House seats and 25 of the 50 Senate seats were up. Republicans
lost control of the House, going from 52R-48D to 51D-49R; the balance
in the Senate remained at 33R-17D. Democrats
pick up three U.S. House seats and one legislative chamber.
Iowa
(June
6 primary). In the race to succeed Gov. Tom Vilsack (D), Secretary of
State Chet Culver (D) kept the seat in the Democratic column, defeating
Rep.
Jim Nussle (R) by 54% to 45% with a bit over 1% to three minor party
candidates. Two U.S. House races were closely watched. Nussle's
gubernatorial bid opened the 1st CD, which includes the Quad Cities, Waterloo
and Dubuque, and was seen as one of the most competitive seats in the country
(in 2004 CD 1 went 53% to 46% for Kerry over Bush). Restaurant/hotel
entrepreneur
Mike Whalen (R) lost to attorney
Bruce Braley (D)
by
55% to 43% and 2% for two others. In the 3rd CD
Rep. Leonard Boswell
(D) fended off a very strong challenge from
State Sen. Jeff Lamberti
(R). The 2nd CD (Southeast Iowa including Cedar Rapids, Iowa
City, Burlington, Ottumwa) produced a real surprise as professor Dave
Loebsack (D) defeated Rep. Jim Leach (R) by 51% to 49%.
Leach, first elected in 1976, lost despite his position against the Iraq
war. As a result Iowa's U.S. House delegation went from 4R-1D
to 3D-2R. In the General Assembly all 100 House seats and
25 of 50 Senate seats were up. Before the election Republicans had
a slim 51R-49D advantage in the House, while the Senate was tied
25R-25D; on Nov. 7 Democrats won majorities in both chambers,
going to 54D-45R-1O in the House and 30D-20R in the Senate.
Of note, in 2004 Republicans had a narrow edge in voter registration 30.89%
to 30.50% with 38.61% no party; in 2006 Democrats were ahead by 31.45%
to 30.51% with 38.03% no party. Democrats
pick up two U.S. House seats and two legislative chambers.
Kansas
(August
1 primary). Gov. Kathleen Sebelius (D) handily won a second term,
defeating Dr. Jim Barnett (R) by 58% to 41% with 2% to two others.
In U.S. House races there was a shocker in the 2nd CD (26 counties in the
eastern part of the state), where Nancy Boyda (D) upset five-term
Rep.
Jim Ryun (R) by 51% to 47% with 2% going to another candidate.
As a result the U.S. House delegation went from 3R-1D to 2R-2D.
In the legislature all 125 House seats but no Senate seats were up.
Republicans maintained solid majorities in both houses; Democrats pared
the margin a bit in the House from 83R-42D to 77R-48D while
the Senate remained at 30R-10D. Democrats
pick up one U.S. House seat.
Kentucky
(May
16 primary). Kentucky politics was colored by a hiring scandal that plagued
the Fletcher administration. Attention focused on the 4th CD (northern
counties bordering on Indiana and Ohio), where freshman Rep. Geoff Davis
(R) faced a strong challenge from former Rep. Ken Lucas (D),
who served for three terms before opting not to seek re-election in 2004;
Davis won with 52% of the vote to 44% for Lucas and 5% for Houillion (L).
An upset occurred in the 3rd CD (Louisville) where five-term incumbent
Rep.
Ann Northup (R) lost her seat to John Yarmuth (D), bringing
the U.S. House delegation from 5R-1D to 4R-2D. In the
Legislature, all 100 House seats and 19 of 38 Senate seats were up.
Democrats strengthened their majority in the House, going from 56D-44R
to 61D-39R while Republicans kept the Senate at 21R-16D-1O.
Democrats
pick up one U.S. House seat.
Louisiana
(Nov.
7 primary and Dec. 2 run-off for congressional races). Hurricane Katrina
has affected the state's politics and changed the electorate. Earlier
in the year the New Orleans mayoral race drew attention; Mayor Ray Nagin
was re-elected in May 2006. The 3rd CD (Southeast Louisiana) was
seen as possibly competitive, but freshman Rep. Charlie Melancon (D)
convincingly fended off a challenge from State Sen. Craig Romero (R)
with 55 percent of the vote. In the solidly Democratic 2nd CD (New
Orleans) twelve candidates ran against eight-term incumbent Rep. Bill
Jefferson (D) in the Nov. 7 primary. Jefferson was under investigation
for bribery, although he denied any wrongdoing. He obtained about
30% of the vote and defeated State Rep. Karen Carter (D)
in
the Dec. 9 run-off. No legislative seats were up.
Maine
(June
13 primary). Statewide, Gov. John Baldacci (D) fended off State
Sen. Chandler Woodcock (R), Barbara Merrill (I), Pat LaMarche
(G) and another candidate by 38% to 30% to 21% to 10% and 1%.
As expected Sen. Olympia Snowe (R) easily won in her re-election
bid, defeating Dixmont organic farmer Jean Hay Bright (D) by 74%
to 21% with 5% for another candidate. In the Legislature all 151
House seats and 35 Senate seats were up. Democrats started with narrow
majorities in both chambers: 74D-73R-4other in the House and 19D-16R
in the Senate; Election Day saw their House margin swell to 89D-60R-2other
while the Senate narrowed to 18D-17R.
Maryland
(September 12
primary). Surprisingly for this blue state, both the Senate and the Governor's
races were competitive. However, Gov. Bob Ehrlich (R) ultimately
lost his re-election bid to Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley (D) by
53% to 46% with the remainder going to several other candidates.
Lt. Gov. Michael Steele (R) ran an effective campaign but fell to Rep.
Benjamin Cardin (D) by 55% to 44% with 2% going to Kevin Zeese (G,L,P)
in the race to succeed retiring Sen. Paul Sarbanes (D). In the 3rd
CD John Sarbanes (D) won election to succeed Cardin. In the
General Assembly, all seats were up. Democrats expanded their already
huge majorities in both chambers, going from 98D-43R in the House
and 32D-15R in the Senate to 106D-35R and 33D-14R.
Democrats
pick up the governorship.
Massachusetts
(September
19 primary). Gov. Mitt Romney (R) did not seek a second term. Lt.
Gov. Kerry Healey (R) sought to succeed him but was defeated by Deval
Patrick (D), by 56% to 35% with 7% going to Christy Mihos (I)
and 2% to Grace Ross (GRP). Sen. Edward Kennedy (D)
defeated Ken Chase (R) for re-election by 69% to 31%. The
U.S. House delegation remained at 10D-0R; indeed only 5 members
even faced challengers and the weakest showing was Rep. Delahunt's 65%
in the 10th CD. In the General Court all seats were up in 2006.
Democrats marginally increased already huge majorities in both chambers
going from 137D-21R-2O to 141D-19R in the House and 34D-6R
to 35D-5R in the Senate. Democrats
pick up the governorship.
Michigan
(August
8 primary). Republicans saw pickup opportunities in both the governor's
and U.S. Senate races, but Democrats held both. Gov. Jennifer
Granholm (D) defeated businessman Dick De Vos (R) by 56% to
42% with the remainder going to Libertarian, Green and U.S. Taxpayers candidates.
Sen.
Debbie Stabenow (D) defeated Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard
(R) by 57% to 41% with the remainder going to Libertarian, Green and
U.S. Taxpayers candidates. The U.S. House delegation remainde at
9R-6D, although there was one change. In the 7th CD, Congressman
Joe Schwarz lost the Republican primary to Tim Walberg; Walberg
won the general election. In the Legislature all seats were up.
Republicans had controlled both chambers, holding majorities of 58R-49D-3O
in the House and 22R-16D in the Senate. Democrats won control
of the House, 58D-52R, while Republicans held the Senate, 21R-17D.
Democrats
pick up one legislative chamber.
Minnesota
(September
12 primary). In a tight contest Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R) won re-election,
defeating Attorney General Mike Hatch (DFL) by 47% to 46% with 6%
for Peter Hutchinson (MNIP) and the remainder to several other candidates.
The DFL candidates swept the three other constitutional offices.
Sen. Mark Dayton's (DFL) retirement created an open Senate seat; Hennepin
County Attorney Amy Klobuchar (DFL) defeated Rep. Mark Kennedy
(R) by 58% to 38% with 3% for Robert Fitzgerald (MNIP) and the
remainder to others. The DFL increased its strength in the U.S. House
from 4DFL-4R to 5DFL-3R. There were two open House
seats. In the 6th CD (six counties in East/Central Minnesota) held
by Kennedy,
State Sen. Michele Bachmann (R) held the seat, defeating
Patty
Wetterling (D), who had also run for the seat in 2004, and
John
Binkowski (MNIP). In the 5th CD (Minneapolis), where Rep. Marty
Sabo (D) is retiring, Keith Ellison (DFL) garnered 56% to defeat
Alan
Fine (R), Tammy Lee (MNIP) and Jay Pond (G) and become
the first Muslim elected to Congress. In the 1st CD (Southern Minn.;
a strip right across the bottom of state) Tim Walz (DFL) upset
Rep.
Gil Gutknecht (R), who was first elected to Congress in 1994.
The 2nd CD (South of St. Paul; Scott, Carver, Le Sueur, Rice, and Goodhue
counties and parts of Dakota and Washington counties) also attracted some
attention; Rep. John Kline (R) defeated former FBI agent Colleen Rowley
(DFL). In the State Legislature all seats were up. Prior to
the election control was divided; Republicans narrowly held the House 67R-66DFL-1O
while the DFL controlled the Senate 38DFL-29R. The DFL swept
to control in the House 85DFL-49R and strengthened their control
in the Senate 44DFL-23R. Democrats
pick up one U.S. House seat and one legislative chamber.
Mississippi
(June
6 primary). Sen. Trent Lott (R), first elected to the Senate in
1988, was re-elected to a fourth term, defeating State Rep. Erik Fleming
(D) by 64% to 35%. All four congressmen were easily re-elected.
Elections for governor and state legislature are in 2007. In the
legislature, Democrats control both chambers (75D-46R-1O in the
House and 27D-23R-2O in the Senate).
Missouri
(August
8 primary). In one of the most closely fought Senate races in the country,
State
Auditor Claire McCaskill (D), who ran unsuccessfully for governor in
2004, defeated Sen. Jim Talent (R) by 49.5% to 47.4% with 2.2% to
Frank
Gilmour (L) and about 1% to Lydia Lewis (P). In U.S. House
races, the delegation remained at 5R-4D; all incumbents obtained
more than 60% of the vote. In the General Assembly, all 163 House
seats and 17 of 34 Senate seats were up. Republicans retained control
of both chambers with slightly reduced margins, going from 97R-66D
to 92R-71D in the House and from 23R-11D to 21R-13D
in the Senate. Missourans also voted on several ballot measures,
narrowly approving Constitutional Amendment 2 on stem cell research, narrowly
defeating Constitutional Amendment 3 to impose a tobacco tax, and voting
by a wide margin to approve Proposition B to increase the minimum wage.
Democrats
pick up U.S. Senate seat.
Montana
(June
6 primary). Sen. Conrad Burns (R), first elected in 1988, was hurt
by the Jack Abramoff scandal and defeated by State Senate President
Jon Tester (D) by 49% to 48% (a margin of fewer than 3,000 votes) with
3% (more than 10,000 votes) going to Stan Jones (L). In the Legislature
all 100 House seats and 25 of the 50 Senate seats were up. In the
House he balance went from 50D-50R to, following a recount,
50R-49D-1O in the House. The Other was Rick Jore (Const.),
elected to represent the 12th District. The Senate went from 27D-23R
to 26D-24R (including post-election switch of a Rep. to Dem.).
I-151 to raise the minimum wage passed by a large margin. Democrats
pick up U.S. Senate seat.
Nebraska
(May
9 primary). Gov. Dave Heineman (R), who ascended to the governor's
office when then Gov. Mike Johanns became Secretary of Agriculture, won
election in his own right, defeating New Digital Group CEO David Hahn
(D) by 73% to 24% with 3% for two other candidates. Sen. Ben
Nelson (D) defeated former Ameritrade COO Pete Ricketts (R)
by 64% to 36% Rep. Tom Osborne (R) unsuccessfully sought the Republican
nomination for governor, opening up the 3rd CD seat which covers the Western
3/4ths of the state. Adrian Smith (R) defeated Scott Kleeb
(D) by 55% to 45% to keep the seat in the Republican column.
In the unicameral Nebraska Legislature 24 of 49 seats were up. Nebraskans
also voted on nine ballot measures.
Nevada
(August
15 primary). Gov. Kenny Guinn (R) was term-limited in 2006. Rep.
Jim Gibbons (R) defeated State Senate Minority Leader Dina Titus
(D) by 48% to 44% with 4% to None of These Candidates, 3% to
Christopher
Hansen (IAP) and 1% for Craig Bergland (G). Sen. John Ensign
(R) defeated investment consultant
Jack Carter (D) by 55% to
41% with two other candidates and None garnering the remainder. The
U.S. House delegation remained at 2R-1D. Interestingly all
three House candidates were women. In the closely split 3rd CD (Southern
Nevada), two-term incumbent Rep. Jon Porter (R) defeated Tessa
Hafen (D), who worked as an aide to Sen. Reid, by 48% to 47% (fewer
than 4,000 votes) with 5% going to two other candidates. In the open
2nd CD (Northern Nevada) Secretary of State Dean Heller (R) defeated
University Regent Jill Derby (D) by 50% to 45% and the remainder
to two other candidates. (Rep. Shelly Berkley easily won re-election
in the 1st CD). In the Legislature, all 42 House seats and 11 of
21 Senate seats were up Democrats had a 26D-16R majority in the
House, while Republicans had a 12R-9D majority in the Senate.
Democrats picked up a couple of seats going to 27D-15R in the House
and 11R-10D in the Senate. Voters faced a number of ballot
issues; by more than 2 to 1 they approved State Question 6 to increase
the minimum wage; they defeated State Question 7 on marijuana. Of
585,986 Nevadans voting, 244,554 (41.73%) voted during the early voting
period from Oct. 21-Nov. 3, 58,075 (9.91%) absentee, and 283,357 (48.36%)
on Election Day.
New Hampshire
(September
12 primary). In perhaps no state did the blue tide sweep as strongly as
in New Hampshire. Gov. John Lynch (D) cruised to re-election,
defeating former Valco Data Systems CEO Jim Coburn (R) by 74% to
26%. The state's two Republican congressman were initially seen as
likely to retain their seats. However, in the 1st CD (the Southeast
1/3 of the state)
Jeb Bradley (R) lost in a major upset to Carol
Shea-Porter (D). Shea-Porter had earlier upset the DCCC-endorsed
Jim Craig (D) in the primary. In the 2nd (West and North) Charlie
Bass (R) lost to attorney Paul Hodes (D). In the General
Court, where all seats were up, Republicans controlled both chambers by
sizable margins. Democrats gained control of both chambers, going
from 242R-150D-8O in the House and 16R-8D in the Senate to
239D-161R in the House and 14D-10R in the Senate. Democrats
pick up two U.S. House seats and two legislative chambers.
New Jersey
(June
6 primary). In the closely contested U.S. Senate race between appointed
Sen.
Bob Menendez (D) and State Sen. Tom Kean, Jr. (R), Kean sought
to make ethics a major issue, but Menendez prevailed by 8 percentage points
53% to 45% with the remainder going to five candidates. In the 13th
CD (parts of Essex, Hudson, Middlesex and Union Counties), vacant since
January due to Menendez's appointment to the Senate, Assemblyman Albio
Sires (D) easily won the special election to finish the term (he was
sworn in Nov. 13) and the general election to serve the full two-year term.
The closest U.S. House race was in the 7th CD (parts of Hunterdon, Middlesex,
Somerset and Union Counties), where Rep. Mike Ferguson (R) defeated
Linda
Stender (D) by 50% to 48% (fewer than 3,300 votes) with Thomas Abrams
(other) and Darren Young (L) accounting for about 5,000 votes.
New Mexico
(June
6 primary). Gov. Bill Richardson (D) easily won re-election over
former state party chair John Dendahl (R) by 69% to 31%, and Sen.
Jeff Bingaman (D) likewise trounced urologist Allen McCulloch, M.D.
(R) by 71% to 29%. One of the most closely watched U.S. House
races in the country was the 1st CD (Albuquerque area; parts of Bernalillo,
Sandoval, Santa Fe and Valencia counties and all of Torrance county) where
Rep.
Heather Wilson (R) faced Attorney General Patricia Madrid (D).
Wilson eked out a narrow win by 875 votes or less than one percentage point.
In the Legislature, all 70 House seats were up. Democrats controlled
both chambers; after Election Day the majorities remained unchanged at
42D-28R in the House and 24D-18R in the Senate.
New York
(September
12 primary). Gov. George Pataki's (R) retirement produced an open race
for the Governor's office. Attorney General Eliot Spitzer (D)
soundly defeated Kinderhook attorney John Faso (R/C) by 69% to 29%
with 1% going to Malachy McCourt (G) and the remainder to three
other candidates. The well-funded Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton
(D) overwhelmed former Yonkers Mayor John Spencer (R/C) to win
a second term by 67% to 31% with 1% going to Howie Hawkins (G) and
the remainder to three others. Prior to the elections the balance
in the U.S. House stood at 20D, 9R. Two members announced
their retirements after 24 years in Congress. In the solidly Democratic
11th CD (Brooklyn) voters elected Yvette Clarke (D) to succeed Rep.
Major Owens (D). In the 24th CD (Upstate), Rep. Sherwood Boehlert
(R)'s seat proved to be one of six competitive races...
-In
the 24th Oneida County District Attorney
Michael Arcuri (D) defeated
State
Senator Ray Maier (R) by 54% to 45% with 1% going to the Libertarian.
-In
the 20th CD (all or parts of 10 counties in Eastern NY) attorney Kirsten
Gillibrand (D) ousted Rep. John Sweeney (R), class of 1998,
by 53% to 47%.
-In
the 19th CD (much of the Hudson Valley region) John Hall (D) upset
Rep.
Sue Kelly (R), class of 1994, by 3,000 plus votes.
-In
the 25th CD (Syracuse area), a district which went narrowly for Kerry in
2004, Rep. Jim Walsh (R) narrowly defeated former Democratic
aide Dan Maffei (D).
-In
the 26th CD (Western New York including Buffalo suburbs; all or parts of
Erie, Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Niagara, Orleans, and Wyoming Counties),
Rep.
Tom Reynolds (R) found himself suddenly on the defensive in late September
as the Foley scandal broke; fortunately for Reynolds a record snowstorm
changed the subject and he went on to defeat manufacturer and 2004 nominee
Jack
Davis (D) by a couple of percentage points.
-In
the 29th (Western NY from Cattaraugus County to Chemung County) freshman
Rep.
Randy Kuhl (R) defeated retired Navy officer Eric Massa (D)
by 52% to 48%.
The
net effect was that Democrats strengthened their majority in the U.S. House
delegation to 23D-6R. In the Legislature all 150 seats in
the Assembly and all 61 seats in the Senate were up. Control remained
split. Democrats' margin in the House went from 104D-44R-2O
to 105D-45R while Republicans' majority in the Senate went from
35R-27D to 34R-28D. Looming in the background was the
2008 presidential campaign; four New Yorkers have been mentioned as possible
candidates: Sen. Clinton, Gov. Pataki, former Mayor Giuliani and Mayor
Bloomberg. Sen. Clinton appears to have helped
her cause, while the depleted condition of the Republican Party will likely
hamstring Gov. Pataki's ambitions. Democrats
pick up the governorship and three U.S. House seats.
North Carolina
(May
2 primary). In the 11th CD (Western tip of the state) former NFL quarterback
and real estate developer Heath Shuler (D) defeated Rep. Charles
Taylor (R) in his bid for an eighth term (first elected in 1990) by
a margin of 54% to 46%. In the 8th CD (all or portions of 10 counties
in the south central part of the state) high school social studies teacher
Larry
Kissell (D) achieved a surprisingly strong showing against perennial
Democratic target Rep. Robin Hayes (R) losing by just 329 votes
(60,926 to 60,597). This was one of the last House races to be finalized;
Kissell conceded at the end of November. In the General Assembly
all 120 House seats and all 50 Senate seats were up. Democrats strengthened
their majorities in both chambers, going from 63D-57R in the House
and 29D-21R in the Senate to 68D-52R and 31D-19R.
Of note, ballot access requirements in North Carolina are among the most
restrictive in the country. The North Carolina Libertarian Party
pointed out that "in over half of the NC House districts (53%) and almost
half of the NC Senate districts (44%) the voters have been robbed of the
ability to choose. In these districts the ballot will contain only
one candidate." Democrats pick up
one U.S. House seat.
North Dakota
(June
13 primary). Sen. Kent Conrad (D) defeated Dwight Grotberg (R),
a farmer from Anderson, by 69% to 30% with 2% going to two other candidates.
Rep.
Earl Pomeroy (D) defeated soybean farmer
Matt Mechtel (R) by
66% to 34% for an eighth term. In the State Legislature, Republicans
retained control of both chambers, albeit with reduced majorities.
The balance went from 67R-27D to 61R-33D in the House and
from 32R-15D to 26R-21D in the Senate.
Ohio
(May
2 primary). 2006 was a watershed year in Ohio politics. Gov. Bob
Taft (R) was mired in record low poll ratings and term-limited. Rep.
Ted Strickland (D) won the race to succeed him, defeating Secretary
of State Ken Blackwell (R) by 60% to 37% with 2% for Bill Pierce (L)
and 1% for Bob Fitrakis (G). Democrats targeted Sen. Mike
DeWine (R) and, after a closely fought campaign, he lost to Rep.
Sherrod Brown (D) by 56% to 44%.
There
were three open U.S. House seats due to retirements: the 6th, 13th and
4th; none of these changed hands.
-In
the 13th CD [Brown seat] (Akron area, Northeastern Ohio) former State Rep.
Betty
Sutton (D) defeated Lorain Mayor Craig Foltin (R) by 61% to
39%.
-In
the 4th CD [Oxley seat] (central including Mansfield, Lima, Findlay) State
Sen. Jim Jordan (R) defeated Richard Siferd (D) by 60% to 40%.
-In
the 6th [Strickland seat] (Eastern border from Lucasville to suburban
Youngstown) State Sen. Charlie Wilson (D) held the seat against
a challenge from State Rep. and Speaker Pro Tem Chuck Blasdel (R);
after Wilson botched getting on the primary ballot this was seen as a race
to watch but he ultimately won without much trouble by a margin of 62%
to 38%.
Democrats
talked of picking up as many as five seats...
-They
targeted the 1st CD (Cincinnati/Southwest corner), which went 51%-49% for
Bush in 2004, but Cincinnati City Council member John Cranley (D)
lost to Rep. Steve Chabot (R), a member of the class of 1994, by
53% to 47%.
-They
also targeted the 15th CD (Columbus area-south and west), where Franklin
County Commissioner Mary Jo Kilroy (D) faced Rep. Deborah Pryce
(R), a member of the class of 1992 and now the fourth ranking Republican
leader in the House. After the Election Night count Pryce led by
3,536 votes, however there were about 19,500 provisional and absentee ballots
to be counted. By late November, when that was done, the margin had
shrunk to a bit over 1,000 votes. A mandated recount, concluded on
December 11, put the tally at 110,739 votes for Pryce and 109,677 votes
for Kilroy.
-In
the 18th CD (16 counties in eastern and southern Ohio) matters unfolded
propitiously for the Democrats. Rep. Bob Ney (R) had been implicated
in corruption investigations but maintained he had done nothing wrong.
He won the May 2 primary. Democrats selected Dover City Attorney
Zack Space (D) whom Republicans derided as a B-list candidate.
However, on Aug. 7 Ney announced he would not seek re-election, prompting
a Sept. 14 special primary election won by State Sen. Joy Padgett (R).
Ney was in and out of the news (he agreed to plead guilty on Sept. 15,
actually pleaded guilty on Oct. 13, and resigned effective Nov. 3), and
reports of a bankruptcy didn't help Padgett either; Space went on to win
by a comfortable margin of 62% to 38%.
-In
the 2nd CD (Cincinnati/SW Ohio), without national backing, Dr. Victoria
Wulsin (D) made a surprisingly strong challenge to Rep. Jean Schmidt
(R). Schmidt had been elected over Paul Hackett by a narrower
than expected margin in an Aug. 2005 special election and had then generated
controversy in Nov. 2005 with remarks on the House floor directed to Rep.
Jack Murtha (D-PA). The Election Night count showed Schmidt ahead
by 2,865 votes, and the outcome remained unclear for a couple of weeks
while provisional and absentee ballots were counted. Wulsin conceded
on November 28.
-Finally,
in 12th CD (Columbus area-north and east) former congressman Bob Shamansky
(D)'s self-financed challenge to Rep. Pat Tiberi (R) generated
attention, but Tiberi prevailed by 58% to 42%.
In
the Ohio General Assembly, Republicans came out with reduced majorities
in both chambers, going from 60R-39D to 53R-46D in the House
and from 22R-11D to 21R-12D in the Senate. Ohioans
also decided four ballot measures, approving an increase in the minimum
wage (Issue 2), rejecting a slot machine proposal (Issue 3), and approving
a smoking ban in public places (Issue 5).
Democrats
pick up the governorship, the U.S. Senate seat and one U.S. House seat.
Oklahoma
(July
25 primary). Gov. Brad Henry (D) was re-elected to a second term,
defeating Rep. Ernest Istook (R) by 67% to 33%. Istook's run
opened up the 5th CD (Oklahoma City), where, after winning the primary
Lt. Gov. Mary Fallin (R) won election with 60% of the vote. The
balance in the U.S. House delegation remained at 4R-1D. In
the Oklahoma Legislature, the House went from 57R-44D to 56R-45D
and the Senate from 26D-22R to 24D-24R.
Oregon
(May
16 primary). Gov. Ted Kulongoski (D) appeared vulnerable but defeated
attorney Ron Saxton (R) by 51% to 43% with 4% for Mary Starrett
(C), 1% for Joe Keating (PG), and 1% for Richard Morley (L).
The balance in the U.S. House delegation remained at 4D-1R.
The closest race was in the 5th CD (Benton, Clackamas, Lincoln, Marion,
Multnomah, Polk and Tillamook Counties) where Rep. Darlene Hooley (D)
defeated business executive Mike Erickson (R) by 54% to 43% with
3% going to two others. In the Legislature Democrats gained control
of the House, going from 33R-27D to 31D-29R; the Senate balance
remained at 17D-11R-2O. Voters also decided on ten ballot
measures, approving restrictions on the use of eminent domain, but rejecting
limits on campaign contributions and an effort to reinstate term limits.
Democrats
pick up one legislative chamber.
Pennsylvania
(May
16 primary). 2006 was very successful cycle for Democrats in Pennsylvania.
Gov.
Ed Rendell (D) defeated Lynn Swann (R) by 60% to 40%.
Sen.
Rick Santorum (R) was seen as an underdog in his re-election effort
against State Treasurer Bob Casey Jr. (D) and he did indeed lose
the race by 59% to 41%. One of the most closely watched U.S. House
races was the 6th CD (West and North of Philadelphia). Rep. Jim
Gerlach (R) faced a rematch with attorney Lois Murphy (D), who
came within two points of unseating him in 2004; when the votes were tallied
Gerlach had again eked out a two point margin. A number of races
seemed to gel for the Democrats as Election Day approached. In the
10th CD (northeast PA) Rep. Don Sherwood (R) was weakened by reports
of an extramarital affair and abuse and lost to Chris Carney (D),
a Lt. Commander in the Naval Reserves, by 53% to 47%. Democrats had
hopes for Iraq war veteran Patrick Murphy (D) against first term
Rep.
Michael Fitzpatrick (R) in the 8th CD (Bucks County, parts of Montgomery
County and Northeast Philadelphia); Murphy won by about 1,500 votes.
Democrats made some noises in the 7th CD (SW of Philadelphia, including
most of Delaware County, SW Montgomery County and E. Chester county) where
Rep.
Curt Weldon (R) was seeking a 10th term against
Joe Sestak (D),
a retired Vice Admiral. In mid-October word emerged that Weldon was
being investigated by the FBI on the propriety of contracts obtained by
his daughter; Sestak went on to win by 56% to 44%. Finally the 4th
CD (SW Pennsylvania; parts of Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Lawrence, Westmoreland
and Mercer Counties) produced a surprise as Jason Altmire (D) defeated
three-term Rep. Melissa Hart (R) by 52% to 48%. In the General
Assembly, the balance in the House remained unclear for several weeks after
the election due to a few close races, but on November 29 Democrats claimed
a 102D-101R majority up from 109R-94D to while the
Senate remained at 29R-21D. Democrats
pick up U.S. Senate seat, four U.S. House seats, and one legislative chamber.
Rhode Island
(September
12 primary). Gov. Don Carcieri (R) defeated Lt. Gov. Charlie
Fogarty (D) by 51% to 49%. After getting past a primary challenge
from Cranston Mayor Steve Laffey, Sen. Lincoln Chafee (R) lost to
former attorney general Sheldon Whitehouse (D) by 53% to 47% in
one of the most closely fought U.S. Senate races. All 75 House seats
and 38 Senate seats were up but the partisan balance remained unchanged
at 60D-15R in the House and 33D-5R in the Senate. Democrats
pick up U.S. Senate seat.
South Carolina
(June
13 primary). Gov. Mark Sanford (R) won a second term, defeating
State
Sen. Tommy Moore (D-Clearwater) by 55% to 45%. In the 5th CD
(all or parts of 14 counties in north-central South Carolina) Republicans
were intially optimistic about State Rep. Ralph Norman (R)'s challenge
to Rep. John Spratt (D), first elected in 1982, but Spratt won by
a 57% to 43% margin. All 124 House seats and 46 Senate seats were
up; Republicans maintained their majorities in both chambers, going from
74R-50D to 73R-51D while the Senate remained at 26R-20D.
Voters overwhelmingly approved Constitutional Amendment 1, defining marriage
as "the union between one man and one woman." An eminent domain measure,
Constitutional Amendment 5, also passed overwhelmingly.
South Dakota
(June
6 primary). Gov. Mike Rounds (R) defeated retired orthopedic surgeon
Jack
Billion (D) by 62% to 36% with a total of 2% going to the Constitution
and Libertarian candidates. Rep. Stephanie Herseth (D) easily won
re-election over Bruce Whalen (R) and a Libertarian. Republicans
kept control of both chambers of the State Legislature going from 51R-19D
to 50R-20D in the House and 25R-10D to 20R-15D in
the Senate. Among 11 ballot measures, South Dakotans approved by
52% to 48% Constitutional Amendment C to amend the State Constitution to
allow and recognize marriage only between a man and a woman, while Referred
Law 6 to approve HB1215 banning abortion, fell short with 44% of the vote.
Tennessee
(August
3 primary). Gov. Phil Bredesen (D) won re-election, defeating State
Sen. Jim Bryson (R) by 69% to 30% with the remainder going to six others.
Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R)'s retirement opened the U.S. Senate
seat. Chattanooga Mayor Bob Corker (R) and Rep. Harold
Ford (D) waged a closely fought campaign that attracted considerable
national attention; Corker prevailed by 51% to 48% with the remainder going
to six others. There were also a couple of open U.S. House seats
but those races did not result in a change in party and were not close.
David
Davis (R), president of Shared Health Services, Inc., won election
to the 1st CD (Eastern TN) seat opened up by Rep. Bill Jenkins' (R) retirement.
State
Sen. Steve Cohen (D) won the 9th CD (Memphis) seat held by Ford.
In the General Assembly all 99 House seats and 17 of 33 Senate seats were
up; the balance in the House remained at 53D-46R and the Senate
went from 17R-15D-1O to 17R-16D. Amendment 1, to define
marriage as a contract between one man and one woman, passed by an overwhelming
margin.
Texas
(March
7 primary). Gov. Rick Perry (R) defeated former Rep. Chris Bell
(D), Comptroller Carol Keeton Strayhorn (I), Kinky Friedman
(I), and James Werner (L) by 39% to 30%, 18%, 13% and 1%. Sen.
Kay Bailey Hutchison (R) was heavily favored over
Barbara Ann Radnofsky
(D) and won by 62% to 36% with 2% to Scott Jameson (L).
The balance in the House went from 21R (DeLay seat vacant)-11D to
19R-13D.
-In
the 22nd CD (Greater Houston-Rosenberg in the West to La Marque in the
East) a convoluted saga unfolded over the course of 2006, ultimately resulting
in a Democratic pick up. Rep. Tom DeLay (R) won the March 7 primary
but on April 3, facing money laundering charges, announced his resignation
from Congress effective June 9. The Republican Party of Texas then
declared him ineligible on the grounds that he had changed his residence
to Virginia, and Republicans were set to name his replacement for the November
ballot. Texas Democrats filed a lawsuit to prevent that, the Democratic
state chair terming the maneuver "a manipulation of election law and most
importantly, a sham attempt to circumvent the primary process and ignore
voters in the 22nd Congressional District." The courts upheld
the Democrats' position. Houston Councilwoman Shelley Sekula-Gibbs,
M.D. (R) ran as a write-in candidate, seeking to hold the seat against
former
Rep. Nick Lampson (D). Sekula-Gibbs won the special election
to fill the remainder of DeLay's term in the lame duck session, but Lampson
won the seat for the 110th Congress by 52% to 42% with 6% going to Bob
Smither (L).
-The
23rd CD (a huge district in SW Texas along the Mexican border) also saw
some complications, in this case as a consequence of the controversial
mid-cycle Texas redistricting adopted by the Texas Legislature in 2003
which resulted in Republicans picking up new U.S. House seats in 2004.
On Aug. 4, 2006, a three-judge panel in the U.S. District Court for the
Eastern District of Texas issued an order redrawing the boundaries of congressional
districts 15, 21, 23, 25, and 28 and voiding the results of the March 3
primary in those districts; new blanket primaries were held on Election
Day, November 7. Incumbents won majorities in all of those districts
except the 23rd CD. Rep. Henry Bonilla (R) garnered 49% to
20% for former Rep. Ciro Rodriguez (D) and the remainder going to
six other candidates. Rodriguez then won the December 12 runoff in
the redistricted 23rd.
-Republicans
had some hopes of picking up the strongly Republican 17th CD (Central Texas
incl. Waco), but Rep. Chet Edwards (D), who was first elected in
1990, defeated businessman and Iraq veteran Van Taylor (R) by 18
percentage points.
In the Texas Legislature
all 150 House seats and 16 of 31 Senate seats were up. The balance
in the House went from 86R-64D to 81R-69D and the Senate
went from 19R-11D-1O to 20R-11D. Democrats
pick up two U.S. House seats.
Utah
(June
27 primary). Sen. Orrin Hatch (R) cruised to re-election against
businessman Pete Ashdown (D), winning by 63% to 31% with 4% to Scott
Bradley (Const.) and 3% to three others. The U.S. House delegation
remained at 2R-1D. The strongest challenge was in the 2nd
CD where Rep. Jim Matheson (D) defeated State Rep. LaVar Christensen (R),
an attorney and real estate developer, by 59% to 37% with 3% to three others.
In the State Legislature all 75 House seats and 15 of 29 Senate seats were
up. Republicans retained their large majorities in both chambers;
the balance remained at 56R-19D in the House and 21R-8D in
the Senate.
Vermont
(September 12
primary). In the race to succeed retiring Sen. Jim Jeffords (I), Rep.
Bernie Sanders (I) defeated Rich Tarrant (R) by 65% to 32% with
the remainder going to four other candidates and write ins. Gov.
Jim Douglas (R) won re-election, defeating former State Sen. Scudder
Parker (D) by 56% to 41% with the remainder going to four candidates
and write ins. In the race for the open at-large congressional seat
Senate
President Pro Tem Peter Welch (D) defeated former Adjutant General
(head of the National Guard) Martha Rainville (R) by 53% to 45%
with the remainder going to six other candidates and write ins. In
the General Assembly all 150 House seats and all 30 Senate seats were up;
Democrats strengthened their majorities in both chambers, going from 86D-60R-7O
to 93D-49R-8O in the House and 21D-9R to 23D-7R in
the Senate.
Virginia
(June 13 primary).
Sen.
George Allen (R), widely seen as a possible 2008 presidential candidate
following the 2004 campaign, saw any aspirations for higher office evaporate
during the course of his re-election campaign as former Secretary of the
Navy (and former Republican)
Jim Webb (D) benefited from his mishaps
to eke out a narrow win. The balance in the U.S. House remained at
8R-3D. Democrats made noise in the 2nd CD (Hampton (part),
Norfolk (part), and Virginia Beach), where first-term Rep. Thelma Drake
(R) faced Virginia Beach Commissioner of the Revenue Phil Kellam
(D); Drake won by 51% to 49%. In the 10th CD (No. VA),
Rep.
Frank Wolf (R) fended off a well funded challenger by Judy Feder
(D) by 57% to 41%. Legislative elections occur in odd years;
Republicans control both chambers of the General Assembly. Virginians
passed Ballot Question 1 an amendment to the State Constitution to define
marriage as the "union between one man and one woman." Democrats
pick up U.S. Senate seat.
Washington
(September
19 primary). Sen. Maria Cantwell (D) won re-election, defeating
former Safeco (insurance company) Chairman, President, and CEO Mike
McGavick (R) by 57% to 39% with about one percent each to Libertarian,
Green and Independent candidates. The U.S. House delegation remained at
6D-3R. In the 8th CD (eastern edge of metro Seattle, most
of Bellevue, Mercer Island, suburbs on Lake Washington) freshman Rep.
Dave Reichert (R) fended off a stronger than expected challenge from
former Microsoft executive Darcy Burner (D) by 51% to 49%.
In the Legislature all 98 House seats and 24 of the 49 Senate seats were
up. Democrats strengthened control of both chambers, going from 55D-43R
to 63D-35R in the House and from 26D-23R to 32D-17R
in the Senate. Washingtonians also voted on four ballot measures.
West Virginia
(May
9 primary). Sen. Robert Byrd (D), first elected to the Senate in
1958, won another term, defeating Greer Industries CEO John Raese (R)
by 64% to 34% with 2% for Jesse Johnson (Mtn). The U.S. House
delegation remained at 2D-1R. In the 1st CD (Northern WV)
12-term incumbent Rep. Alan Mollohan Jr. (D) is facing a federal
investigation and there was some thought that might hurt him, but he defeated
businessman and Delegate Chris Wakim (R) by 64% to 36%. In
the Legislature all 100 House seats and 17 of the 34 Senate seats were
up; Democrats strengthened sizable majorities in both chambers of the Legislature,
going from 68D-32R to 72D-28R in the House and from 21D-13R
to 23D-11R in the Senate.
Wisconsin
(September
12 primary). Gov. Jim Doyle (D) faced a strong challenge from Rep.
Mark Green (R) but prevailed by 53% to 45% with 2% to Nelson Eisman
(G). Sen. Herb Kohl (D) gained 67% of the vote to 30%
for attorney Robert Lorge (R), 2% for Rae Vogeler (G) and
1% for Ben Glatzel (I). In the open 8th CD (Northeast WI;
Appleton and north includes Green Bay) Assembly Speaker John Gard (R)
narrowly
lost to Steve Kagen, M.D. (D) by 51% to 49% for a Democratic pick
up. In the Legislature, all 99 House seats and 17 of the 33 Senate
seats were up. Republicans had controlled both chambers of the Legislature
but lost control of the Senate. The majorities went from 59R-39D-1O
to 53R-46D in the House and from 19R-14D to 18D-15R
in the Senate. Wisconsinites passed Question 1, making the definition
of marriage "a union between a man and a woman" part of the Constitution.
Democrats
pick up one House seat and one legislative chamber.
Wyoming
(August
22 primary). Gov. Dave Freudenthal (D) defeated Wheatland attorney
Ray
Hunkins (R) by 70% to 30%. Sen. Craig Thomas (R) likewise
defeated engineer Dale Groutage (D) by 70% to 30%, gaining a third
term; and at-large Rep. Barbara Cubin (R), first elected to Congress
in 1994, faced a strong challenge from small businessman
Gary Trauner
(D), winning by fewer than 1,000 votes; Rankin (L) gained 4% of the
vote. In the State Legislature all 60 House seats and 15 of 30 Senate
seats were up. Republicans kept solid majorities in both chambers
of the State Legislature; their margin went from 46R-14D to 43R-17D
in the House and stayed at 23R-7D in the Senate.
| Copyright © 2006 Eric M. Appleman/Democracy in Action |
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