2006 Oklahoma gubernatorial election
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County results Henry: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% Istook: 50–60% 60–70% | |||||||||||||||||
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Elections in Oklahoma |
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Government |
The 2006 Oklahoma gubernatorial election was held on November 7, 2006, and was a race for the Governor of Oklahoma. The incumbent Governor, Democrat Brad Henry, was re-elected with more than 60 percent of the vote, beating Republican Ernest Istook, a member of the United States House of Representatives (Congressional district 5).[1] As of 2021, this is the last time a Democrat has been elected Governor of Oklahoma or won any statewide office.
Background[]
Though Democrats had dominated state politics for most of Oklahoma's history, the Oklahoma Republican Party had recently gained control of the Oklahoma House of Representatives and held five of the state's six Congressional seats.[2] Henry's opponent, Republican Ernest Istook, was a member of the United States House of Representatives, representing Oklahoma's 5th congressional district.
As in many Southern states, Oklahoma has favored conservative Democrats to the more liberal members of the party. In his first term, Henry had supported some tax cuts and took centrist positions on many political hot button issues.
Democratic primary[]
Candidates[]
- Brad Henry, incumbent Governor of Oklahoma
- Andrew W. Marr, Jr.
Results[]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Brad Henry (incumbent) | 226,957 | 85.82 | |
Democratic | Andrew W. Marr, Jr. | 37,510 | 14.18 | |
Total votes | 264,467 | 100.00 |
Republican primary[]
Candidates[]
- Ernest Istook, U.S. Congressman
- Bob Sullivan, former Oklahoma Secretary of Energy
- James A. Williamson, Oklahoma State Senator
- Jim Evanoff
Campaign[]
Istook's strongest opponent in the primary was Bob Sullivan, who positioned himself as the only "non-career politician" in the race.[4] He ran ads featuring Gailard Sartain that attacked his opponents' "career politician" background. The Sartain ads were seen as over the top and may have hurt his chances. Sullivan said education was a top priority and had led an effort to place an initiative petition on the November 2006 ballot that would have required 65 percent of money earmarked for education be spent in the classroom.[5]
Results[]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Ernest Istook | 99,650 | 54.71 | |
Republican | Bob Sullivan | 56,347 | 30.94 | |
Republican | James A. Williamson | 17,769 | 9.76 | |
Republican | Jim Evanoff | 8,370 | 4.60 | |
Total votes | 182,136 | 100.00 |
General election[]
The incumbent Democratic Governor Brad Henry won the election with more than 66 percent of the vote, beating Republican U.S. Representative Ernest Istook.[1]
Predictions[]
Source | Ranking | As of |
---|---|---|
Sabato's Crystal Ball[6] | Safe D | November 6, 2006 |
Rothenberg Political Report[7] | Safe D | November 2, 2006 |
Real Clear Politics[8] | Safe D | November 6, 2006 |
Polling[]
Source | Date | Brad Henry (D) |
Ernest Istook (R) |
---|---|---|---|
Survey USA | November 4, 2006 | 65% | 29% |
Rasmussen | October 23, 2006 | 64% | 32% |
Sooner Poll | October 7, 2006 | 60% | 33% |
Rasmussen | September 29, 2006 | 59% | 34% |
Survey USA | September 26, 2006 | 64% | 33% |
Rasmussen | September 6, 2006 | 54% | 33% |
Survey USA | August 28, 2006 | 60% | 34% |
Sooner Poll | July 17, 2006 | 57% | 29% |
Rasmussen | May 7, 2006 | 50% | 39% |
Results[]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Brad Henry (incumbent) | 616,135[1] | 66.5 | +23.2 | |
Republican | Ernest Istook | 310,327[1] | 33.5 | –9.1 | |
Total votes | 926,462 | 100.0 | n/a | ||
Democratic hold |
See also[]
References[]
- ^ Jump up to: a b c d 2006 election results for governor (accessed May 28, 2010).
- ^ Gaddie, Ronald Keith, "Oklahoma Republican Party Archived 2011-09-03 at the Wayback Machine," Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture Archived May 31, 2010, at the Wayback Machine (accessed May 28, 2010).
- ^ Jump up to: a b "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2012-02-25. Retrieved 2011-01-23.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- ^ Robert J. Sullivan, Jr.
- ^ Allen, Cindy, "Governor, his challengers debate about leadership role," Enid News & Eagle, June 8, 2006 (accessed May 28, 2010).
- ^ "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.
External links[]
- Official campaign websites (Archived)
- Oklahoma gubernatorial elections
- 2006 Oklahoma elections
- 2006 United States gubernatorial elections