2006 Governor's Chairs by State

The Green Papers: 2006 Midterm Election

2006 Governor's Chairs
by State

28 Republican
22 Democratic

36 Governor's Chairs up for election in 2006

36 Elected

14 Governor's Chairs not up for election in 2006

9 Open Governor's Chairs (voluntary retirement, seeking other political office, term limits)

26 Incumbents renominated by same party

1 Incumbent lost primary - no longer a candidate for this office

1 Republican

213 Candidates seeking a Governor's Chair (Candidates may run under the banner of multiple parties. Hence, the number of parties may be greater than the number of candidates.)

This is a list of the current Governors' chairs, the incumbents occupying them, and the candidacy status of said incumbents. Chairs up for election in the year 2006 are marked as such.

Friday May 26, 2006: The United States Senate confirmed Governor Dirk Kempthorne of Idaho as Secretary of the Interior by a vote of 85 yeas, 8 nays and 7 not voting. Governor Kempthorne was first elected Governor of Idaho in 1998 and re-elected in 2002. He served in U.S. Senate (elected: 1992) and was nominated by President George W. Bush to be the Secretary of the Interior on 16 March 2006. Upon the confirmation of Governor Kempthorne, Lieutenant Governor James E. "Jim" Risch (Republican) ascended to the position of Governor of Idaho. Mr. Risch was was first elected as Lieutenant Governor in 2002 and was renominated for Lieutenant Governor in the 23 May 2006 Republican Primary.

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Gubernatorial Links



Alabama 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2002, 2006. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

		Republican	Governor Bob Riley • Re-elected Tuesday 7 November 2006 • First elected: 2002 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 7 November 2006 • The current Governor is unaffected by the State's term limit. • Renominated - 6 June 2006 Primary
		Polls: Leans Republican - Republican Governor Bob Riley

Alaska 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2002, 2006. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

Lost		Republican	Governor Frank H. Murkowski • First elected: 2002 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 7 November 2006 • The current Governor is unaffected by the State's term limit. • Lost Primary / No Longer Running - 22 August 2006 Primary
		Polls: Leans Republican - Republican Sarah H. Palin
			Open Chair (no incumbent)

Arkansas 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2002, 2006. Term Limit: No one can serve more than 2 4-year terms in a lifetime
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

Open		Republican	Governor Mike Huckabee • As Lieutenant Governor, succeeded to the office upon the resignation of Governor Jim Guy Tucker (Democrat): 15 July 1996; first elected to a full term: 1998; re-elected: 2002 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 7 November 2006 • The current Governor is affected by a term limit and cannot run for re-election. • Open Chair
		Polls: Leans Democratic - Party switch - Democratic Attorney General Mike Beebe
			Open Chair (no incumbent)

California 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2002, 2006. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

		Republican	Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger • Re-elected Tuesday 7 November 2006 • First elected: 2003 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 7 November 2006 • The current Governor is unaffected by the State's term limit. • Renominated - 6 June 2006 Primary
		Polls: Leans Republican - Republican Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger

Colorado 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2002, 2006. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

Open		Republican	Governor Bill Owens • First elected: 1998; re-elected: 2002 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 7 November 2006 • The current Governor is affected by a term limit and cannot run for re-election. • Open Chair - At term limit
		Polls: Leans Democratic - Current Republican - Possible Democratic takeover - Democratic Willliam "Bill" Ritter, Jr. vs. Republican Congressman Robert Louis "Bob" Beauprez
			Open Chair (no incumbent)

Connecticut 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2002, 2006. Term Limit: None
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

		Republican	Governor M. Jodi Rell • Re-elected Tuesday 7 November 2006 • succeeded to the Governorship, 1 July 2004, upon the resignation of Governor John Rowland who had announced said resignation on 21 June 2004. • Chair up for election: Tuesday 7 November 2006 • Renominated - 20 May 2006 Convention
		Polls: Republican Governor M. Jodi Rell

Florida 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2002, 2006. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

Open		Republican	Governor John Ellis "Jeb" Bush • First elected: 1998; re-elected: 2002 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 7 November 2006 • The current Governor is affected by a term limit and cannot run for re-election. • Open Chair
		Polls: Leans Republican - Republican Attorney General Charlie Crist
			Open Chair (no incumbent)

Georgia 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2002, 2006. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

		Republican	Governor Sonny Perdue • Re-elected Tuesday 7 November 2006 • First elected: 2002 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 7 November 2006 • The current Governor is unaffected by the State's term limit. • Renominated - 18 July 2006 Primary
		Polls: Leans Republican - Republican Governor Sonny Perdue

Hawaii 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2002, 2006. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

		Republican	Governor Linda Lingle • Re-elected Tuesday 7 November 2006 • First elected: 2002 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 7 November 2006 • The current Governor is unaffected by the State's term limit. • Renominated - 23 September 2006 Primary
		Polls: Republican Governor Linda Lingle

Idaho 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2002, 2006. Term Limit: None
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

Open		Republican	Governor James E. "Jim" Risch • Ascended to the position of Governor 26 May 2006 upon the confirmation of Governor Dirk Kempthorne as Secretary of the Interior. • Chair up for election: Tuesday 7 November 2006 • Open Chair - Governor James E. "Jim" Risch is a candidate for Lt. Governor in 2006
		Polls: Republican Congressman C.L. "Butch" Otter
			Open Chair (no incumbent)
	Governor Dirk Kempthorne, who was first elected in 1998, re-elected in 2002, and also served in U.S. Senate (elected: 1992) was nominated by President George W. Bush to be the Secretary of the Interior on 16 March 2006. The United States Senate confirmed the nomination on 26 May 2006 by a vote of 85 yeas, 8 nays and 7 not voting.

Indiana 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2004, 2008. Term Limit: No more than 2 4-year terms in any 3-term period
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

		Republican	Governor Mitchell E. "Mitch" Daniels, Jr. • First elected: 2004 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 4 November 2008 • The current Governor is unaffected by the State's term limit.

Kentucky 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2003, 2007. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

		Republican	Governor Ernie Fletcher • First elected: 2003 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 6 November 2007 • The current Governor is unaffected by the State's term limit. • 3 June 2006: Governor Fletcher announced that his 2007 running mate is Finance Cabinet Secretary Robbie Rudolph.

Maryland 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2002, 2006. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

		Republican	Governor Robert L. "Bob" Ehrlich, Jr. • First elected: 2002 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 7 November 2006 • The current Governor is unaffected by the State's term limit. • Renominated - 12 September 2006 Primary
		Polls: Toss-up - WATCH - Republican Governor Robert L. "Bob" Ehrlich, Jr. vs. Democratic Martin O'Malley

Massachusetts 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2002, 2006. Term Limit: None
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

Open		Republican	Governor Mitt Romney • First elected: 2002 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 7 November 2006 • Open Chair - 14 December 2005: Not a candidate for re-election in 2006.
		Polls: Leans Democratic - Democratic Pickup - Democratic Deval L. Patrick
			Open Chair (no incumbent)

Minnesota 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2002, 2006. Term Limit: None
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

		Republican	Governor Tim Pawlenty • Re-elected Tuesday 7 November 2006 • First elected: 2002 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 7 November 2006 • Renominated - 12 September 2006 Primary
		Polls: Toss-up - Republican Governor Tim Pawlenty vs. Democratic-Farmer Labor Attorney General Mike Hatch

Mississippi 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2003, 2007. Term Limit: No one can serve more than 2 4-year terms in a lifetime
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

		Republican	Governor Haley Barbour • First elected: 2003 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 6 November 2007 • The current Governor is unaffected by the State's term limit.

Missouri 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2004, 2008. Term Limit: No one can serve more than 2 4-year terms in a lifetime
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

		Republican	Governor Matt Blunt • First elected: 2004 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 4 November 2008 • The current Governor is unaffected by the State's term limit.

Nebraska 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2002, 2006. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

		Republican	Governor Dave Heineman • Re-elected Tuesday 7 November 2006 • Succeeded to the Governor's Chair upon the 20 January 2005 resignation of Governor Mike Johanns. • Chair up for election: Tuesday 7 November 2006 • The current Governor is unaffected by the State's term limit. • Renominated - 9 May 2006 Primary
		Polls: Republican Governor Dave Heineman

Nevada 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2002, 2006. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

Open		Republican	Governor Kenny C. Guinn • First elected: 1998; re-elected: 2002 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 7 November 2006 • The current Governor is affected by a term limit and cannot run for re-election. • Open Chair
		Polls: Leans Republican - Republican Congressman James Arthur "Jim" Gibbons vs. Democratic Dina Titus
			Open Chair (no incumbent)

New York 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2002, 2006. Term Limit: None
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

Open		Republican	Governor George E. Pataki • First elected: 1994; re-elected: 1998, 2002 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 7 November 2006 • Open Chair - on 27 July 2005, Gov. Pataki announced he will not be seeking re-election to a fourth term in 2006.
		Polls: Was Republican. Democratic Attorney General Eliot L. Spitzer
			Open Chair (no incumbent)

North Dakota 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2004, 2008. Term Limit: None
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

		Republican	Governor John Hoeven • First elected: 2000; re-elected: 2004 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 4 November 2008

Ohio 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2002, 2006. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

Open		Republican	Governor Bob Taft • First elected: 1998; re-elected: 2002 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 7 November 2006 • The current Governor is affected by a term limit and cannot run for re-election. • Open Chair - At term limit
		Polls: Leans Democratic - Currently Republican, likely to switch parties. Democratic Congressman Ted Strickland
			Open Chair (no incumbent)

Rhode Island 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2002, 2006. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

		Republican	Governor Donald L. Carcieri • Re-elected Tuesday 7 November 2006 • First elected: 2002 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 7 November 2006 • The current Governor is unaffected by the State's term limit. • Renominated - 12 September 2006 Primary
		Polls: Leans Republican - WATCH - Republican Governor Donald L. Carcieri vs. Democratic Lieutenant Governor Charles J. "Charlie" Fogarty

South Carolina 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2002, 2006. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

		Republican	Governor Marshall C. "Mark" Sanford, Jr. • Re-elected Tuesday 7 November 2006 • First elected: 2002 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 7 November 2006 • The current Governor is unaffected by the State's term limit. • Renominated - 13 June 2006 Primary
		Polls: Leans Republican - Republican Governor Marshall C. "Mark" Sanford, Jr.

South Dakota 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2002, 2006. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

		Republican	Governor Mike Rounds • Re-elected Tuesday 7 November 2006 • First elected: 2002 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 7 November 2006 • The current Governor is unaffected by the State's term limit. • Renominated - 6 June 2006 Primary
		Polls: Republican Governor Mike Rounds

Texas 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2002, 2006. Term Limit: None
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

		Republican	Governor Rick Perry • Re-elected Tuesday 7 November 2006 • Lt. Gov. Rick Perry became Governor 21 December 2000 when George W. Bush resigned to take the office of President of the United States. First elected to a full term: 2002 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 7 November 2006 • Renominated - 7 March 2006 Primary
		Polls: Republican Governor Rick Perry

Utah 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2004, 2008. Term Limit: None
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

		Republican	Governor Jon M. Huntsman, Jr. • First elected: 2004 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 4 November 2008

Vermont 2 year term, Election Cycle: 2004, 2006. Term Limit: None
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

		Republican	Governor James H. "Jim" Douglas • Re-elected Tuesday 7 November 2006 • First elected: 2002; re-elected: 2004. • Chair up for election: Tuesday 7 November 2006 • Renominated - 12 September 2006 Primary
		Polls: Leans Republican - Republican Governor James H. "Jim" Douglas

Political Parties Parties appear in parenthesis and italics when a candidate receives the endorsement of a given Party and/or official sources indicate a candidate's association with a particular Party but only where the Party in question does not appear on the actual ballot as such.

Major Parties
	• Democratic
	• Democratic-Farmer Labor
	• Republican
Major Third Parties
	• Green
	• Green-Rainbow
	• Libertarian
	• Pacific Green
	• Reform
Other Third Parties
	• Alaskan Independence
	• American
	• American Constitution
	• American Independent
	• Concerned Citizens
	• Conservative
	• Constitution
	• Independence
	• Independent American
	• Liberty Union
	• Marijuana
	• Nebraska
	• Peace And Freedom
	• Populist
	• Quit Raising Taxes
	• Rent is too High
	• Right to Life
	• Socialist Party USA
	• Socialist Workers Party
	• U.S. Taxpayers
	• Veterans Party of America
	• Working Families
Independents
	• By Petition
	• Independent
	• No Party Affiliation
	• Unaffiliated
	• Unenrolled
Write-in/Scattered/otherwise not readily classifiable
	• None of these candidates
	• Scattering
	• Write-in

Notes

Candidates for office appear on this page in italics where 'The Green Papers' does not yet have independent confirmation from an election authority that this candidate is actually on the ballot.