The 2006 Nebraska gubernatorial election was held on November 7, 2006; the primary election was held on May 9, 2006. Republican incumbent Dave Heineman was re-elected to a full term, defeating Democrat David Hahn.
Republican primary
Candidates Dave Heineman, incumbent Governor of Nebraska Dave Nabity, financial consultant, former Young Republicans state chair Tom Osborne, U.S. Congressman, former football coach
Campaign The Republican primary election had the unusual situation of an incumbent running against several members of his own party. Originally, the 2006 election would not have had an incumbent. However, this changed when Mike Johanns resigned in January 2005 to become United States Secretary of Agriculture; this elevated Lieutenant Governor Dave Heineman to the governorship. He then announced his intention to run for election to a full four-year term. The other two candidates for the Republican nomination were former Nebraska Cornhuskers football coach Tom Osborne—then serving in the United States House of Representatives—and Omaha businessman Dave Nabity.
In 2005, the three Republican candidates raised more than $2 million overall for their campaigns: Osborne $972,000; Heineman $922,000; and Nabity $150,000.
Osborne named Kate Witek, the Nebraska State Auditor, as his running mate for the office of lieutenant governor. She had previously been the running mate of Gene Spence in the 1994 Nebraska gubernatorial election. After the Osborne-Witek ticket was unsuccessful in the Republican primaries, Witek switched parties and joined the Democratic party.
Results
Democratic primary
Candidates Glenn R. Boot Jr., truck driver David Hahn, attorney and internet development company CEO
Campaign The Democratic primary election did not have any candidates until December 2005, when David Hahn announced his candidacy. Glenn Boot Jr. of Ashland was the other Democratic candidate, but he was disqualified due to a previous felony conviction. The election was not a high priority for Nebraska Democrats. While the main reason was focusing on getting U.S. Senator Ben Nelson reelected, it was very likely that most Democrats didn't want to face the possibility of running against the immensely popular Osborne.
Results
Nebraska Party primary
Candidates Barry Richards, farmer
Results
Independent candidates Mort Sullivan, perennial candidate
General election 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 DaveHeineman (R) DavidHahn (D)RasmussenRasmussen October 19, 2006 70% 22%RasmussenRasmussen September 26, 2006 72% 18%RasmussenRasmussen August 17, 2006 71% 18%RasmussenRasmussen July 17, 2006 66% 21%
Results
By County
CountyPersonDemocraticPersonRepublicanVarious candidatesOther partiesMarginTotalvotes#%#%#%#%Adams CountyAntelope CountyArthur CountyBanner CountyBlaine CountyBoone CountyBox Butte CountyBoyd CountyBrown CountyBuffalo CountyBurt CountyButler CountyCass CountyCedar CountyChase CountyCherry CountyCheyenne CountyClay CountyColfax CountyCuming CountyCuster CountyDakota CountyDawes CountyDawson CountyDeuel CountyDixon CountyDodge CountyDouglas CountyDundy CountyFillmore CountyFranklin CountyFrontier CountyFurnas CountyGage CountyGarden CountyGarfield CountyGosper CountyGrant CountyGreeley CountyHall CountyHamilton CountyHayes CountyHitchcock CountyHolt CountyHooker CountyHoward CountyJefferson CountyJohnson CountyKearney CountyKeith CountyKeya Paha CountyKimball CountyKnox CountyLancaster CountyLincoln CountyLogan CountyLoup CountyMadison CountyMcPherson CountyMerrick CountyMorrill CountyNance CountyNance CountyNemaha CountyNuckolls CountyOtoe CountyPawnee CountyPerkins CountyPhelps CountyPierce CountyPlatte CountyPolk CountyRed Willow CountyRichardson CountyRock CountySaline CountySarpy CountySaunders CountyScotts Bluff CountySeward CountySheridan CountySioux CountyStanton CountyThayer CountyStanton CountyThurston CountyValley CountyWashington CountyWayne CountyWebster CountyWheeler CountyYork County Totals
See also Nebraska United States Senate election, 2006 U.S. gubernatorial elections, 2006
References
External links Official campaign sites (Archived) David Hahn Dave Heineman
Other election sites Politics1: Nebraska