Oklahoma gubernatorial election, 2006

Oklahoma gubernatorial election, 2006

2002 ← November 7, 2006 → 2010

Nominee Brad Henry Ernest Istook Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 616,135 310,327 Percentage 66.5% 33.5%

County Results

Governor before election Brad Henry Democratic Elected Governor Brad Henry Democratic

The Oklahoma gubernatorial election of 2006 was held on November 7, 2006, and was a race for the Governor of Oklahoma. The incumbent Governor, Democrat Brad Henry, was re-elected with more than 60 percent of the vote, beating Republican Ernest Istook, a member of the United States House of Representatives (Congressional district 5).^[1]

Background

Though Democrats had dominated state politics for most of Oklahoma's history, the Oklahoma Republican Party had recently gained control of the Oklahoma House of Representatives and held five of the state's six Congressional seats.^[2] Henry's opponent, Republican Ernest Istook, was a member of the United States House of Representatives, representing Oklahoma's 5th congressional district.

As in many Southern states, Oklahoma has favored conservative Democrats to the more liberal members of the party. In his first term, Henry had supported some tax cuts and took centrist positions on many political hot button issues.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Brad Henry, incumbent Governor of Oklahoma
• Andrew W. Marr, Jr.

Results

Democratic primary results[3]
Party		Candidate	Votes	Percentage
	Democratic	Brad Henry (inc.)	226,957	85.82%
	Democratic	Andrew W. Marr, Jr.	37,510	14.18%
Totals			22,799	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• Ernest Istook, U.S. Congressman
• Bob Sullivan, former Oklahoma Secretary of Energy
• James A. Williamson, Oklahoma State Senator
• Jim Evanoff

Campaign

Istook's strongest opponent in the primary was Sullivan, who positioned himself as the only "non-career politician" in the race.^[4] He ran ads featuring Gailard Sartain that attacked his opponents' "career politician" background. The Sartain ads were seen as over the top and may have hurt his chances. Sullivan said education was a top priority and had led an effort to place an initiative petition on the November 2006 ballot that would have required 65 percent of money earmarked for education be spent in the classroom.^[5]

Results

Republican primary results[3]
Party		Candidate	Votes	Percentage
	Republican	Ernest Istook	99,650	54.71%
	Republican	Bob Sullivan	56,347	30.94%
	Republican	James A. Williamson	17,769	9.76%
	Republican	Jim Evanoff	8,370	4.60%
Totals			182,136	100.00%

General election

The incumbent Democrat Governor Brad Henry won the election with more than 60 percent of the vote, beating Republican U.S. Representative Ernest Istook.^[1]

Polling

Source	Date	Henry (D)	Istook (R)
Survey USA	November 4, 2006	65%	29%
Rasmussen	October 23, 2006	64%	32%
Sooner Poll	October 7, 2006	60%	33%
Rasmussen	September 29, 2006	59%	34%
Survey USA	September 26, 2006	64%	33%
Rasmussen	September 6, 2006	54%	33%
Survey USA	August 28, 2006	60%	34%
Sooner Poll	July 17, 2006	57%	29%
Rasmussen	May 7, 2006	50%	39%

Results

2006 gubernatorial election, Oklahoma
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Brad Henry (incumbent)	616,135[1]	66.5	+23.2
	Republican	Ernest Istook	310,327[1]	33.5	–9.1
Majority			305,808	33.0
Turnout			926,462
	Democratic hold		Swing

See also

• U.S. gubernatorial elections, 2006

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d} 2006 election results for governor (accessed May 28, 2010).
2. ^ Gaddie, Ronald Keith, "Oklahoma Republican Party," Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture (accessed May 28, 2010).
3. ^ ^{a b} http://www.ok.gov/elections/The_Archives/Election_Results/2006_Election_Results/Primary_Election_2006.html
4. ^ Robert J. Sullivan, Jr.
5. ^ Allen, Cindy, "Governor, his challengers debate about leadership role," Enid News & Eagle, June 8, 2006 (accessed May 28, 2010).

External links

• Brad Henry 2006 Gubernatorial Campaign Site
• Ernest Istook 2006 Gubernatorial Campaign Site
• Oklahoma State Election Board, primary results
• Bob Sullivan 2006 Gubernatorial Campaign Site
• Jim Williamson 2006 Gubernatorial Campaign Site