United States Senate election in New Mexico, 2006

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The 2006 U.S. Senate election in New Mexico took place on November 7, 2006 (the primary had been held on June 6, 2006).

Contents

[edit] Democrats

Jeff Bingaman, the incumbent, was the only candidate who filed for the Democratic primary.

There had been speculation that Bingaman would give up the chance to run for another term to pursue a lobbyists' job in Washington. Instead, Bingaman, who has been in the Senate since 1983, announced he was running for a fifth term.

In a SurveyUSA Senate Ratings poll released on August 18, 2005, Bingaman was ranked 33rd, with an approval rating of 60% of New Mexicans' versus 28% disapproval [1].

[edit] Republicans

  • Allen McCulloch - A urologist and former chemical engineer, won the primary on June 6, 2006. He has no previous political experience. [2]. McCulloch won with 52% of the vote; Carraro had 31% and Pfeffer had 17%.

[edit] Lost in primary

  • Joe Carraro - a state senator and a businessman [3]
  • Francesca Lobato - an attorney and frequent candidate [4]
  • David Pfeffer - a Santa Fe City councilman and Vietnam War veteran, 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.

[edit] Did not run

  • John Sanchez - The 2002 Republican gubernatorial nominee, Sanchez lost that year 55%-39% to Bill Richardson.
  • Heather Wilson - There had been speculation that Representative Wilson might run against Bingaman. Wilson decided to run for reelection instead; her own Congressional seat is a target of New Mexico Democrats.

[edit] Polling

Source Date Bingaman (D) McCulloch (R)
Albuquerque Journal/Research & Polling October 3, 2006 65% 19%
WSJ/Zogby Interactive September 28, 2006 57.4% 32%
WSJ/Zogby Interactive September 11, 2006 58.6% 32.7%
WSJ/Zogby Interactive August 28, 2006 58.6% 31.2%
WSJ/Zogby Interactive July 24, 2006 53.9% 31.5%
Rasmussen June 30, 2006 59% 33%
WSJ/Zogby Interactive June 21, 2006 55.1% 36.3%

[edit] Election results

2006 United States Senate election, New Mexico
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Jeff Bingaman (inc.) 394,079 70.6 +8.9
Republican Allen McCulloch 163,732 29.3 -9.0
Write-in Orlin G. Cole 376 0.1 +0.1
Majority 230,347 41.3 +17.9
Turnout 558,187
Democratic hold Swing +9.0

Bingaman won every county in the state with at least 56% of the vote.

[edit] External links

Preceded by
2002
Pete Domenici
New Mexico U.S. Senate elections
2006
Succeeded by
2008