2006 United States Senate election in New Mexico

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. This was one of five Democratic-held Senate seats up for election in a state that George W. Bush won in the 2004 presidential election.

2006 United States Senate election in New Mexico

← 2000 November 7, 2006 2012 →

Nominee Jeff Bingaman Allen McCulloch Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 394,217 163,761 Percentage 70.60% 29.33%

County results Bingaman:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%

U.S. senator before election Jeff Bingaman Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman Democratic

As of 2025, this was the last time a Democratic Senate candidate, as well as any candidate in New Mexico, has won all 33 of New Mexico's counties.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Jeff Bingaman, incumbent U.S. Senator

Results

Democratic primary results^[1]

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

Republican primary results^[1]

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[7]	March 22, 2006	53%	29%
Rasmussen[8]	June 30, 2006	59%	33%
Albuquerque Journal/Research & Polling[9]	August 31, 2006	62%	23%
Rasmussen[10]	September 7, 2006	61%	26%
Albuquerque Journal/Research & Polling[9]	October 3, 2006	65%	19%

Results

United States Senate election in New Mexico, 2006^[11]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Jeff Bingaman (incumbent)	394,217	70.60%	+8.89%
	Republican	Allen McCulloch	163,761	29.33%	−8.92%
	Write-in		364	0.06%
Majority			230,426	41.27%	+17.83%
Turnout			558,342
	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

• 2006 United States Senate elections