2006 Kansas gubernatorial election

The 2006 Kansas gubernatorial election took place on November 7, 2006. Incumbent Democratic Governor Kathleen Sebelius, who sported high approval ratings ran for re-election to serve a second and final term. She was unopposed for the Democratic nomination and faced Republican State Senator Jim Barnett, who emerged from a crowded primary. Sebelius soundly defeated Barnett and cruised to re-election, which was quite a considerable feat for a Democrat in staunchly conservative Kansas. This was Sebelius's second time winning a majority and was part of a trend from 1984 to 2010 where 7 of 8 Kansas gubernatorial elections were won with a majority rather than a simple plurality. No candidate received a majority of votes in 2014, 2018 or 2022.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Kathleen Sebelius, incumbent Governor of Kansas

Results

Republican primary

Candidates

• Jim Barnett, State Senator
  • Running mate: Susan Wagle, state senator (2001–present) and former state representative (1991-2001)
• Ken R. Canfield, author and founder of the National Center for Fathering
  • Running mate: Kathe Decker, state representative (1993–present)
• Rex Crowell, former State Representative
  • Running mate: Brian Shepherd
• Dennis Hawver, Libertarian nominee for Governor in 2002
  • Running mate: Bret D. Landrith, attorney
• Robin Jennison, former Speaker of the Kansas House of Representatives
  • Running mate: Dennis Wilson, state senator (2005–present) and former state representative (1995-1999)
• Timothy V. Pickell, attorney
  • Running mate: Jeffrey McCalmon
• Richard "Rode" Rodewald, perennial candidate
  • Running mate: Helen Kanzig

General election

Predictions

Polling

Results

Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic

• Sherman (largest municipality: Goodland)
• Lane (largest municipality: Dighton)
• Stafford (largest municipality: St. John)
• Mitchell (largest municipality: Beloit)
• Lincoln (largest municipality: Lincoln) (previously tied)
• Kingman (largest municipality: Kingman)
• Ottawa (largest municipality: Minneapolis) (previously tied)
• Doniphan (Largest city: Wathena)
• Linn (Largest city: Pleasanton)
• Woodson (Largest city: Yates Center)
• Wilson (Largest city: Neodesha)
• Bourbon (Largest city: Fort Scott)
• Cherokee (Largest city: Baxter Springs)
• McPherson (largest municipality: McPherson)
• Johnson (largest municipality: Overland Park)

Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican

• Coffey (largest municipality: Burlington)
• Chase (largest city: Cottonwood Falls)
• Greenwood (largest municipality: Eureka)
• Norton (largest municipality: Norton)
• Pratt (largest municipality: Pratt)
• Pottawatomie (largest municipality: Manhattan)

See also

• U.S. gubernatorial elections, 2006
• List of governors of Kansas

External links

Official campaign websites (Archived)

• Kathleen Sebelius
• Jim Barnett

References