2006 Idaho gubernatorial election
The Idaho gubernatorial election of 2006 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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 Election results by county Otter: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% Brady: 40-50% 50–60% 60–70% | |||||||||||||||||
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This is the last time that a Democrat won over 40% of the vote in Idaho, and the last time any election in Idaho was decided by a single-digit margin.
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 | ||
Nominated 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]
Results
Otter won by 8.56%, the election was surprisingly close. Brady performed much better than expected, receiving 44.11% of the vote.
| 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
- "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2015-04-19. Retrieved 2017-04-17.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- Butts, Mike (2006-04-06). "No 'Pro-Life' allowed on ballot". Idaho Press-Tribune. Retrieved 2006-01-13.
- No ‘Pro-Life’ allowed on ballot, retrieved 12oct2006
- ‘Pro-Life’ Failed to receive the Idaho CP Certification For Candidacy, retrieved 12oct2006
- http://www.sos.idaho.gov/elect/RESULTS/2006/general/tot_stwd.htm