2006 Idaho gubernatorial election

For related races, see 2006 United States gubernatorial elections.

The 2006 Idaho gubernatorial election was held on November 7, 2006. Incumbent Governor Jim Risch succeeded Dirk Kempthorne, who resigned May 26 to become Secretary of the Interior. Risch served as governor until the end of the term, but had committed to a reelection campaign for Lieutenant Governor before Kempthorne's appointment and subsequent resignation.

2006 Idaho gubernatorial election

← 2002 November 7, 2006 2010 →

Nominee Butch Otter Jerry Brady Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 237,437 198,845 Percentage 52.67% 44.11%

County results Precinct results Otter:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% Brady:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% Tie:      50%      No Votes

Governor before election Jim Risch Republican Elected Governor Butch Otter Republican

This was the last time that a Democrat won over 40% of the vote in Idaho.

Republican primary

Candidates

• Dan Adamson, businessman and attorney
• Walter Bayes, perennial candidate
• Jack Alan Johnson
• C.L. "Butch" Otter, U.S. Representative and former Lieutenant Governor of Idaho

Declined

• Jim Risch, incumbent Governor of Idaho

Results

County results

Republican primary results^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Butch Otter	96,045	70.02
	Republican	Dan Adamson	29,093	21.21
	Republican	Jack Alan Johnson	7,652	5.58
	Republican	Walter Bayes	4,385	3.20
Total votes			137,175	100.00

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Jerry Brady, newspaper publisher and 2002 Democratic nominee for governor
• Lee Chaney, laborer

County results

Democratic Primary results^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Jerry Brady	25,261	82.98
	Democratic	Lee Chaney	5,182	17.02
Total votes			30,443	100.00

General election

Candidates

• Marvin Richardson (unendorsed Constitution) – organic strawberry farmer^[2] and sawmill owner
• Jerry Brady (Democratic), newspaper publisher and 2002 Democratic nominee for governor
• Ted Dunlap (Libertarian)
• Butch Otter (Republican), U.S. Congressman, former Lieutenant Governor of Idaho

Controversy

A candidate legally named Marvin Pro-Life Richardson filed suit to force the state to print his full legal on the ballots, as filed in campaign paperwork. The Secretary of State stated that ballots themselves are supposed to be neutral, not political billboards, and declined the request.^[3] In September 2006 he changed his legal name to simply "Pro-Life" in an attempt to force the issue. However, the ballots went to the printer naming "Marvin Richardson" as the Constitution Party candidate. The party later disavowed his candidacy resulting in a candidate without a name, and without a party, appearing on the ballot.^[4]

Predictions

Source	Ranking	As of
The Cook Political Report[5]	Tossup	November 6, 2006
Sabato's Crystal Ball[6]	Tilt R	November 6, 2006
Rothenberg Political Report[7]	Lean R	November 2, 2006
Real Clear Politics[8]	Tossup	November 6, 2006

Results

Swing by county

Legend

•   Democratic—+30-35%
•   Democratic—+20-25%
•   Democratic—+10-15%
•   Democratic—+5-10%
•   Democratic—+<5%
•   Republican—+<5%
•   Republican—+5-10%

Trend by county

Legend

•   Democratic—+15-20%
•   Democratic—+10-15%
•   Democratic—+5-10%
•   Democratic—+<5%
•   Republican—+<5%
•   Republican—+5-10%
•   Republican—+10-15%
•   Republican—+15-20%
•   Republican—+20-25%

Idaho gubernatorial election, 2006^[9]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Butch Otter	237,437	52.67%	−3.61%
	Democratic	Jerry Brady	198,845	44.11%	+2.38%
	Constitution	Marvin Richardson	7,309	1.62%
	Libertarian	Ted Dunlap	7,241	1.61%	−0.38%
Majority			38,592	8.56%	−5.99%
Turnout			450,832
	Republican hold		Swing

Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic

• Teton (Largest city: Victor)
• Valley (Largest city: McCall)