2006 United States Senate election in New Mexico
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The 2006 United States Senate election in New Mexico took place on November 7, 2006. The primaries were held June 6, 2006. Incumbent Democrat Jeff Bingaman won re-election to a fifth term in a landslide. As of 2023 this was the last time a Democratic candidate for Senate in New Mexico won all 33 of New Mexico's counties.
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Jeff Bingaman, incumbent U.S. Senator
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Jeff Bingaman (incumbent) | 115,198 | 100.00 | |
| Total votes | 115,198 | 100.00 | ||
Republican primary
Candidates
- Joe Carraro, State Senator
- Allen McCulloch, physician
- David Pfeffer, Santa Fe City Councilman
Campaign
Pfeffer announced on August 23, 2005, that he would be entering the primary. A former Democrat, he supported George W. Bush in 2004 and became a Republican in 2005. In his campaign announcement, Pfeffer focused mainly on border controls with Mexico. He criticised Bingaman in comparison to his own support for reform of the Social Security system and the Iraq War as well as U.S. relations with China, saying "With all due respect, I do not believe the present occupier of the junior seat from New Mexico is doing all that can and should be done on these fronts," he said of Bingaman. "I believe I can do a better job..." Pfeffer also commented that he would have a hard time raising an amount equivalent to Senator Bingaman, a problem faced by any of the latter's potential challengers.
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Allen McCulloch | 29,592 | 51.04 | |
| Republican | Joseph J. Carraro | 18,312 | 31.59 | |
| Republican | David Pfeffer | 10,070 | 17.37 | |
| Total votes | 57,974 | 100.00 | ||
General election
Candidates
- Jeff Bingaman (D), incumbent U.S. Senator
- Allen McCulloch (R), physician
Campaign
Bingaman had a 60% approval rating in one poll.[2] He faced no primary opposition. There had been speculation that Bingaman would give up the chance to run for another term to pursue a lobbyists' job in Washington.
Debates
- Complete video of debate, October 26, 2006
Predictions
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| The Cook Political Report[3] | Solid D | November 6, 2006 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[4] | Safe D | November 6, 2006 |
| Rothenberg Political Report[5] | Safe D | November 6, 2006 |
| Real Clear Politics[6] | Safe D | November 6, 2006 |
Polling
| Source | Date | Jeff Bingaman (D) | Allen McCulloch (R)
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Zogby | March 22, 2006 | 53% | 29% |
| Rasmussen | June 30, 2006 | 59% | 33% |
| Albuquerque Journal/Research & Polling | August 31, 2006 | 62% | 23% |
| Rasmussen | September 7, 2006 | 61% | 26% |
| Albuquerque Journal/Research & Polling | October 3, 2006 | 65% | 19% |
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Jeff Bingaman (incumbent) | 394,365 | 70.61% | +8.90% | |
| Republican | Allen McCulloch | 163,826 | 29.33% | -8.92% | |
| Write-in | 376 | 0.06% | |||
| Majority | 230,539 | 41.27% | +17.83% | ||
| Turnout | 558,567 | ||||
| Democratic hold | Swing | ||||
Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic
- Curry (largest village: Clovis)
- Lincoln (largest city: Roidoso)
- Roosevelt (largest city: Portales)
- San Juan (largest city: Farmington)
- Union (largest city: Clayton)
- Catron (largest city: Reserve)
See also
References
- ^ a b "Results summary" (PDF). www.sos.state.nm.us. 2006. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 14, 2012. Retrieved May 7, 2021.
- ^ SurveyUSA News Poll #5984
- ^ "2006 Senate Race Ratings for November 6, 2006" (PDF). The Cook Political Report. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 5, 2008. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
- ^ "Election Eve 2006: THE FINAL PREDICTIONS". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
- ^ "2006 Senate Ratings". Senate Ratings. The Rothenberg Political Report. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
- ^ "Election 2006". Real Clear Politics. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
- ^ "Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives". Clerk.house.gov. Retrieved May 7, 2021.
External links
- Bingaman's campaign website
- McCulloch's campaign website
- Pfeffer's campaign website
- Pfeffer announces candidacy
- New Mexico Democratic party[permanent dead link]
- New Mexico Republican party Archived January 31, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
