Tennessee gubernatorial election, 2006

The Tennessee gubernatorial election of 2006 was held on November 7, 2006. The incumbent, Democrat Phil Bredesen, defeated Republican state Senator Jim Bryson to serve another term as Governor.

Candidates

Democratic Party

*Phil Bredesen - Incumbent Governor

Defeated in primary

*John Jay Hooker - perennial candidate
*Tim Sevier
*Walt "Combat" Ward - State probation officer

Republican Party

*Jim Bryson - state Senator

Defeated in primary

*Mark Albertini
*Wayne Bailey
*David M. Farmer
*Joe Kirkpatrick
*Timothy Thomas
*Wayne Young

Green Party

*Howard M. Switzer - Green Party candidate

Independents

*George Banks
*David Gatchell
*Stout Leinoff
*Charles E. Smith
*Carl Whitaker - Jefferson Republican Party candidate

Primaries

Both parties held their primary elections on August 3, 2006.

Democratic Governor Bredesen easily defeated the opposition, gaining 88.6% of ballots cast. Perennial candidate John Jay Hooker (also running for the Senate nomination) gained 7.2%, Tim Sevier received 2.6% of the vote, and Walt "Combat" Ward received 1.7% of the votes cast.

The Republican primaries were only slightly more competitive. Frontrunner Jim Bryson, who filed papers to enter the race at the last minute, gained an even 50.0% of the vote. Other contenders were David M. Farmer with 15.8%; Joe Kirkpatrick at 10.7%; Mark Albertini at 9.2%; Wayne Bailey at 7.5%; Wayne Young with 3.7%; and Timothy Thomas at 3.0% of the ballots cast.

General election

Bryson and Bredesen took part in the first of three planned debates on October 3 in Knoxville. [http://www.commercialappeal.com/mca/politics/article/0,1426,MCA_1496_5040706,00.html] A second debate was held in Memphis on October 8, and a third on October 14 in Nashville.

Pre-election polls indicated that Bredesen would easily win reelection: an October 3 poll showed Bredesen held a 63% to 22% lead over Bryson. [http://www.commercialappeal.com/mca/politics/article/0,1426,MCA_1496_5033596,00.html]

Results

Election box candidate with party link
party = Democratic Party (US)
candidate = Phil Bredesen (incumbent)
votes = 1,241,606
percentage = 68.6
change = +17.9Election box candidate with party link
party = Republican Party (US)
candidate = Jim Bryson
votes = 538,508
percentage = 29.7
change = -17.9Election box candidate with party link
party = Independent (politician)
candidate = Carl Whitaker
votes = 11,298
percentage = 0.6
change = +0.3Election box candidate with party link
party = Independent (politician)
candidate = George Banks
votes = 7,506
percentage = 0.4
change = "n/a"Election box candidate with party link
party = Independent (politician)
candidate = Charles E. Smith
votes = 4,062
percentage = 0.2
change = "n/a"Election box candidate with party link
party = Green Party (US)
candidate = Howard Switzer
votes = 2,681
percentage = 0.1
change = "n/a"Election box candidate with party link
party = Independent (politician)
candidate = David Gatchell
votes = 2,374
percentage = 0.1
change = "n/a"Election box candidate with party link
party = Independent (politician)
candidate = Marivuana Stout Leinoff
votes = 2,105
percentage = 0.1
change = "n/a"Election box majority
votes = 703,098
percentage = 38.9
change = Election box turnout
votes = 1,810,140
percentage =
change = Election box hold with party link
winner = Democratic Party (US)
loser =
swing =

Polling

ee also

*U.S. gubernatorial elections, 2006

External links

* [http://www.markalbertini.com Mark Albertini Campaign Site]
* [http://www.bredesen.com Bredesen Campaign Site]
* [http://www.brysonforgovernor.com Jim Bryson for Governor site]
* [http://www.combatward.com Combat Ward Governor Site]
* [http://www.carlwhitakerforgov.com Carl Whitaker for Governor]
* [http://www.carlwhitakerforgov.com Carl "Two Feathers" Whitaker site]