The 2006 Iowa gubernatorial election took place on November 7, 2006. The incumbent governor, Tom Vilsack, a Democrat, had served two terms and decided not to seek a third term. In the election, Chet Culver defeated Jim Nussle to win the governorship, by a margin of 54% to 44%.
, this was the last time a Democrat won the governorship of Iowa. This election marks the first time Democrats won three consecutive gubernatorial elections in the state since 1966, and the only time Democrats have ever done so for four-year terms.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Won primary Chet Culver, Iowa Secretary of State (1999–2007), son of former United States Senator John Culver Running mate: Patty Judge, Secretary of Agriculture of Iowa (1999–2007) and former State Senator
Defeated in primary Mike Blouin, former director of the Iowa Department of Economic Development (2003–2005), former U.S. Representative for IA-02 (1975–1979), and 1st director of the Information Security Oversight Office (1979–1980) Running mate: Andrea McGuire, physician Ed Fallon, Iowa State Representative (1993–2006) Sal Mohamed, engineer and 2004 Democratic candidate for Congress
Declined to run
Sally Pederson, Lieutenant Governor of Iowa (1999–2007)
Results
Republican primary
Candidates Jim Nussle, U.S. Representative
Withdrew Bob Vander Plaats, president and CEO of The Family Leader, to become Nussle's running-mate for the general election
Results
Independents
Green Wendy Barth, peace activist and software engineer from Cedar Rapids
Libertarian Kevin Litten, pharmacist from Cedar Rapids
General election The Democratic nominee, Iowa Secretary of State Chet Culver, selected Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Patty Judge as his running mate. Judge had previously run for the Democratic nomination for Governor before dropping out to run for Lieutenant Governor. The Republican nominee, U.S. Congressman Jim Nussle, selected Sioux City businessman Bob Vander Plaats as his running mate. Vander Plaats, like Judge, had previously run for his party's nomination before dropping out to run for Lieutenant Governor.
Predictions Source Ranking As of The Cook Political Report November 6, 2006 Sabato's Crystal Ball November 6, 2006 Rothenberg Political Report November 2, 2006 Real Clear Politics November 6, 2006
Polling Source Date ChetCulver (D) JimNussle (R)Des Moines RegisterDes Moines Register November 3, 2006 52% 43%RasmussenRasmussen October 27, 2006 49% 45%Research 2000Research 2000 October 17, 2006 49% 44%Des Moines RegisterDes Moines Register October 14, 2006 46% 39%RasmussenRasmussen October 5, 2006 42% 42%Des Moines RegisterDes Moines Register September 17, 2006 44% 44%Research 2000Research 2000 September 14, 2006 48% 43%Zogby/WSJZogby/WSJ September 11, 2006 43% 46%RasmussenRasmussen September 1, 2006 42% 40%Zogby/WSJ August 28, 2006 48% 45%RasmussenRasmussen August 3, 2006 41% 38%Zogby/WSJ July 24, 2006 45% 47%Zogby/WSJ June 21, 2006 46% 47%Research 2000Research 2000 May 22–24, 2006 49% 41%RasmussenRasmussen May 2, 2006 46% 40%RasmussenRasmussen April 5, 2006 40% 38%RasmussenRasmussen February 15, 2006 41% 40%RasmussenRasmussen January 12, 2006 40% 40%RasmussenRasmussen November 28, 2005 41% 38%
Endorsements
Results
Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican Audubon (Largest city: Audubon) Carroll (Largest city: Carroll) Cherokee (Largest city: Cherokee) Dallas (Largest city: Waukee) Delaware (Largest city: Manchester) Guthrie (Largest city: Guthrie Center) Greene (largest city: Jefferson) Monona (Largest city: Onawa)
Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic Allamakee (Largest city: Waukon) Hancock (Largest city: Garner) Iowa (Largest city: Williamsburg) Jefferson (Largest city: Fairfield) Madison (Largest city: Winterset) Winneshiek (Largest city: Decorah) Woodbury (Largest city: Sioux City) Louisa (largest city: Wapello) Sac (largest city: Sac City) Calhoun (Largest city: Rockwell City)
By congressional district Culver won four of five congressional districts, including one that elected a Republican. District Culver Nussle Representative58%41%Jim Nussle (109th Congress)Bruce Braley (110th Congress)60%38%Jim Leach (109th Congress)Dave Loebsack (110th Congress) 54% 44%Leonard Boswell 54% 45%Tom Latham 43% 55%Steve King
See also 2006 United States gubernatorial elections State of Iowa Governors of Iowa
References
External links
Candidates Culver's Campaign Website Nussle's Campaign Website Barth's Campaign Website Litten's Campaign Website Fallon's Campaign Website Mohamed's Campaign Website
Iowa Secretary of State Summary Election Results