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.

2006 Idaho gubernatorial election
November 7, 2006
 
Nominee Butch Otter Jerry Brady
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 237,437 198,845
Percentage 52.7% 44.1%
Election results by county
Otter:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Brady:      40-50%      50–60%      60–70%
Governor before election

Jim Risch
Republican

 Elected Governor

Butch Otter
Republican

Republican primary

Candidates

Results
County results
Republican primary results[1]
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
County results
Democratic Primary results[1]
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

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.

Idaho gubernatorial election, 2006[5]
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
  1. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2015-04-19. Retrieved 2017-04-17.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  2. Butts, Mike (2006-04-06). "No 'Pro-Life' allowed on ballot". Idaho Press-Tribune. Retrieved 2006-01-13.
  3. No ‘Pro-Life’ allowed on ballot, retrieved 12oct2006
  4. ‘Pro-Life’ Failed to receive the Idaho CP Certification For Candidacy, retrieved 12oct2006
  5. http://www.sos.idaho.gov/elect/RESULTS/2006/general/tot_stwd.htm
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