United States Senate election in New Mexico, 2006

United States Senate election in New Mexico, 2006

November 7, 2006

125px Nominee Jeff Bingaman Allen McCulloch Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 394,365 163,826 Percentage 70.6% 29.3%

200px County results

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

The 2006 United States Senate election in New Mexico took place on November 7, 2006. The primares were held on June 6, 2006. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman won re-election to a fifth term.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Jeff Bingaman, incumbent U.S. Senator

Results

Democratic primary results
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Jeff Bingaman (inc.)	115,198	100.00
Total votes			115,198	100.00

Republican primary

Candidates

• Joe Carraro, New Mexico State Senator
• Allen McCulloch, Urologist
• 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
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), OBGYN

Campaign

Bingaman had a 60% approval rating in one poll. 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.

Polling

Source	Date	Bingaman (D)	McCulloch (R)
Albuquerque Journal/Research & Polling	October 3, 2006	65%	19%
Rasmussen	June 30, 2006	59%	33%

Results

United States Senate election in New Mexico, 2006

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Jeff Bingaman (inc.)	394,365	70.61%	+8.90%
	Republican	Allen McCulloch	163,826	29.33%	-8.92%
	Write-ins		376	0.06%
Majority			230,539	41.27%	+17.83%
Turnout			558,567
	Democratic hold		Swing

Bingaman won every county in the state with at least 56% of the vote.

External links

• Bingaman's campaign website
• McCulloch's campaign website
• Pfeffer's campaign website
• Pfeffer announces candidacy
• New Mexico Democratic party
• New Mexico Republican party

Preceded by 2002 Pete Domenici

New Mexico U.S. Senate elections 2006

Succeeded by 2008