Maine gubernatorial election, 2006
Encyclopedia
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. Woodcock struggled to focus on his plans for taxes and the economy such as combining the positions of registered nurse
and dental hygienist
, and imposing punitive "tax flourishes" upon small business owners, which Republicans believed would resonate harder with voters.
Baldacci, Merrill and LaMarche stressed economic development strategies rather than cutting taxes. Baldacci toasted the state's new and successful community college
system, as well as DirigoChoice, his health care initiative. 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. LaMarche boasted of universal health care
as a long-term boon to the Maine economy.
Incumbent
The incumbent, in politics, is the existing holder of a political office. This term is usually used in reference to elections, in which races can often be defined as being between an incumbent and non-incumbent. For example, in the 2004 United States presidential election, George W...
Democrat John Baldacci
John Baldacci
John Elias Baldacci is an American politician who served as the 73rd Governor of the U.S. state of Maine from 2003 until 2011. A Democrat, he also served as a member of the United States House of Representatives from 1995 to 2003....
was then re-elected to his second term.
In the general election, Baldacci, Woodcock, Green Independent Party candidate Pat LaMarche
Pat LaMarche
Patricia Helen "Pat" LaMarche is an American political figure and activist with the Green Party; she was the party's vice-presidential candidate in the 2004 U.S...
, and independents Barbara Merrill
Barbara Merrill
Barbara Merrill is an American politician from Maine. Elected as a Democrat to the state legislature, she left the party in 2006 to become an independent candidate for Governor of Maine....
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. Woodcock struggled to focus on his plans for taxes and the economy such as combining the positions of registered nurse
Registered nurse
A registered nurse is a nurse who has graduated from a nursing program at a university or college and has passed a national licensing exam. A registered nurse helps individuals, families, and groups to achieve health and prevent disease...
and dental hygienist
Dental hygienist
thumb|right|300px|Dental hygienist holding a scalerA dental hygienist is a licensed dental professional who specializes in preventive oral health, typically focusing on techniques in oral hygiene. Local dental regulations determine the scope of practice of dental hygienists...
, and imposing punitive "tax flourishes" upon small business owners, which Republicans believed would resonate harder with voters.
Baldacci, Merrill and LaMarche stressed economic development strategies rather than cutting taxes. Baldacci toasted the state's new and successful community college
Community college
A community college is a type of educational institution. The term can have different meanings in different countries.-Australia:Community colleges carry on the tradition of adult education, which was established in Australia around mid 19th century when evening classes were held to help adults...
system, as well as DirigoChoice, his health care initiative. Merrill called for a rail link to Canada's Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
which would be paid for by hosting slot machines on the trains which traveled on these rails. LaMarche boasted of universal health care
Universal health care
Universal health care is a term referring to organized health care systems built around the principle of universal coverage for all members of society, combining mechanisms for health financing and service provision.-History:...
as a long-term boon to the Maine economy.
Candidates
- John BaldacciJohn BaldacciJohn Elias Baldacci is an American politician who served as the 73rd Governor of the U.S. state of Maine from 2003 until 2011. A Democrat, he also served as a member of the United States House of Representatives from 1995 to 2003....
, incumbent Governor of MaineGovernor of MaineThe governor of Maine is the chief executive of the State of Maine. Before Maine was admitted to the Union in 1820, Maine was part of Massachusetts and the governor of Massachusetts was chief executive.... - Christopher Miller, internet Service Provider
Results
Candidates
- Chandler E. WoodcockChandler E. WoodcockChandler E. Woodcock is a former Republican state Senator from Maine, and was the Republican candidate for Governor of Maine in 2006. He won a close primary election by 3% on June 13, 2006, against David F. Emery and Peter Mills. He faced Democratic incumbent John E. Baldacci in the November 7th...
, Maine State Senator - Dave Emery, former U.S. Congressman
- Peter Mills, Maine State Senator
Results
Green Independent Party
- Pat LaMarchePat LaMarchePatricia Helen "Pat" LaMarche is an American political figure and activist with the Green Party; she was the party's vice-presidential candidate in the 2004 U.S...
- Businesswoman, 2004United States presidential election, 2004The United States presidential election of 2004 was the United States' 55th quadrennial presidential election. It was held on Tuesday, November 2, 2004. Republican Party candidate and incumbent President George W. Bush defeated Democratic Party candidate John Kerry, the then-junior U.S. Senator...
Green Party nominee for Vice-President, 1998Maine gubernatorial election, 1998The 1998 Maine gubernatorial election took place on November 3, 1998. Independent Governor Angus King defeated Republican Party challenger James Longley, Jr., former congressman from Maine's first district and son of former Maine Governor James B...
Green Party nominee for Governor
Independents
- Barbara MerrillBarbara MerrillBarbara Merrill is an American politician from Maine. Elected as a Democrat to the state legislature, she left the party in 2006 to become an independent candidate for Governor of Maine....
, Maine State RepresentativeMaine House of RepresentativesThe Maine House of Representatives is the lower house of the Maine Legislature. The House consists of 151 members representing an equal amount of districts across the state. Each voting member of the House represents around 8,450 citizens of the state... - Phillip Morris Napier, 2002Maine gubernatorial election, 2002The Maine gubernatorial election of 2002 took place on November 5, 2002. Incumbent Independent Governor Angus King was term limited, and unable to seek re-election...
candidate for Governor
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
See also
- U.S. gubernatorial elections, 2006