Maine gubernatorial election, 2006

Maine gubernatorial election, 2006

2002 ← November 7, 2006 → 2010

Nominee John Baldacci Chandler Woodcock Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 209,927 166,425 Percentage 38.11% 30.21%   Nominee Barbara Merrill Pat LaMarche Party Independent Green Popular vote 118,715 52,690 Percentage 21.55% 9.56%

County Results

Governor before election John Baldacci Democratic Elected Governor John Baldacci Democratic

The Maine gubernatorial election of 2006 took place on November 7, 2006. Incumbent Democrat John Baldacci was then re-elected to his second term.

In the general election, Baldacci, Woodcock, Green Independent Party candidate Pat LaMarche, and independents Barbara Merrill and Phillip Morris Napier appeared on the ballot.

Woodcock never gained trust among the state's moderates and independents due to his socially conservative positions on a variety of issues^{[citation needed]}. Woodcock struggled to focus on his plans for taxes and the economy such as combining the positions of registered nurse and dental hygienist^{[citation needed]}, and imposing punitive "tax flourishes" upon small business owners, which Republicans believed would resonate harder with voters^{[citation needed]}.

Baldacci, Merrill and LaMarche stressed economic development strategies rather than cutting taxes^{[citation needed]}. Baldacci toasted the state's new and successful community college system, as well as DirigoChoice, his health care initiative^{[citation needed]}. Merrill called for a rail link to Canada's Montreal which would be paid for by hosting slot machines on the trains which traveled on these rails^{[citation needed]}. LaMarche boasted of universal health care as a long-term boon to the Maine economy^{[citation needed]}.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• John Baldacci, incumbent Governor of Maine
• Christopher Miller, internet Service Provider

Results

Democratic primary results[1]
Party		Candidate	Votes	Percentage
	Democratic	John Baldacci (inc.)	40,314	75.81%
	Democratic	Christopher Miller	12,861	24.19%
Totals			53,175	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• Chandler E. Woodcock, Maine State Senator
• Dave Emery, former U.S. Congressman
• Peter Mills, Maine State Senator

Results

Republican primary results[2]
Party		Candidate	Votes	Percentage
	Republican	Chandler Woodcock	27,025	38.58%
	Republican	Peter Mills	24,631	35.17%
	Republican	Dave Emery	18,388	26.25%
Totals			70,044	100.00%

Green Independent Party

• Pat LaMarche - Businesswoman, 2004 Green Party nominee for Vice-President, 1998 Green Party nominee for Governor

Independents

• Barbara Merrill, Maine State Representative
• Phillip Morris Napier, 2002 candidate for Governor

General election

Polling

Source	Date	Baldacci (D)	Woodcock (R)	LaMarche (G)	Merrill (I)	NaPier (I)
WSCH/Voice of the Voter	November 5, 2006	36%	30%	11%	22%	1%
Sun Journal	October, 2006	42%	25%	11%	11%	--
Survey USA	October 23, 2006	42%	34%	9%	12%
Rasmussen	October 19, 2006	46%	38%
Rasmussen	September 22, 2006	44%	39%
WCSH/Voice of the Voter	September 14, 2006	42%	41%
Rasmussen	August 22, 2006	43%	42%
Rasmussen	August 2, 2006	43%	37%
Strategic Marketing Services	August 1, 2006	42%	24%
Survey USA	July 11, 2006	41%	43%
Rasmussen	June 22, 2006	45%	43%
Rasmussen	May 7, 2006	46%	33%
Rasmussen	April 7, 2006	43%	36%
Rasmussen	March 6, 2006	40%	35%
Rasmussen	February 6, 2006	30%	36%

Results

Maine gubernatorial election, 2006[3]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	John Baldacci (inc.)	209,927	38.11%	-9.04%
	Republican	Chandler Woodcock	166,425	30.21%	-11.26%
	Independent	Barbara Merrill	118,715	21.55%
	Green	Pat LaMarche	52,690	9.56%	+0.28%
	Independent	Phillip Morris Napier	3,108	0.56%
Majority			43,502	7.90%	+2.22%
Turnout			550,865
	Democratic hold		Swing

References

1. ^ http://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/2006p/pri06gd.html
2. ^ http://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/2006p/pri06gr.html
3. ^ http://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/2006g/gen06gv.html

See also

• U.S. gubernatorial elections, 2006