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2006 United States Senate election in Minnesota

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FieldValue
election_name2006 United States Senate election in Minnesota
countryMinnesota
flag_year1983
typepresidential
ongoingno
previous_election2000 United States Senate election in Minnesota
previous_year2000
next_election2012 United States Senate election in Minnesota
next_year2012
election_dateNovember 7, 2006
image_sizex150px
image1Amy Klobuchar.jpg
nominee1**Amy Klobuchar**
party1Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party
popular_vote1**1,278,849**
percentage1**58.06%**
image2Mark Kennedy, official photo portrait, color.jpg
nominee2Mark Kennedy
party2Republican Party (United States)
popular_vote2835,653
percentage237.94%
map_image
map_size270 px
map_caption**Klobuchar:**
**Kennedy:**
**Tie:**
titleU.S. Senator
before_electionMark Dayton
before_partyMinnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party
after_electionAmy Klobuchar
after_partyMinnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party

Kennedy:
Tie:
The 2006 United States Senate election in Minnesota took place on November 7, 2006. Incumbent Senator Mark Dayton announced in February 2005 that he would retire instead of seeking a second term. Fellow Democrat Amy Klobuchar won the open seat by 20.1 percentage points. Primary elections took place on September 12, 2006.

DFL primary

Candidates

  • Amy Klobuchar, Hennepin County Attorney
  • Darryl Stanton, businessman

Withdrew

  • Patty Wetterling, children's safety advocate and candidate for U.S. House in 2004

Campaign

Klobuchar gained the early endorsement of the majority of DFL state legislators in Minnesota. A poll taken of DFL state delegates showed Klobuchar beating her then closest opponent, Patty Wetterling, 66% to 15%. As of June 30, 2005, Klobuchar had more cash on hand than any other candidate, nearly $1,100,000.

Klobuchar was endorsed by EMILY's List on September 29, 2005. On January 20, 2006, Wetterling dropped out of the race and endorsed Klobuchar.

Former Senate candidate and prominent lawyer Mike Ciresi, who was widely seen as the only other serious potential DFL candidate, indicated on February 7, 2006, that he would not enter the race. That removal of her most significant potential competitor for the DFL nomination was viewed as an important boost for Klobuchar.

The only other serious candidate for the DFL endorsement was veterinarian Ford Bell. Bell, a staunch liberal, ran on a platform of implementing single-payer healthcare and immediate withdrawal from Iraq. Bell dropped out of the race on July 10, citing inability to compete financially, and also endorsed Klobuchar.

Results

Republican primary

Candidates

  • Mark Kennedy, U.S. Representative from Minnesota's 6th congressional district
  • Harold Shudlick, military veteran
  • John Ulrich, military veteran

Campaign

Kennedy had faced potential challenges from former U.S. Senator Rod Grams, as well as U.S. Representative Gil Gutknecht, but both men were persuaded by national GOP leaders to run for the House instead. (Grams lost to Representative Jim Oberstar, while Gutknecht lost his reelection bid to Tim Walz.)

Results

Independence primary

Candidates

  • Miles W. Collins
  • Robert Fitzgerald, public-access television executive
  • Stephen Williams, salesman

Results

General election

Candidates

Major

  • Robert Fitzgerald (IPM), public-access television cable TV show director
  • Mark Kennedy (R), U.S. Congressman
  • Amy Klobuchar (D), Hennepin County Attorney

Minor

  • Michael Cavlan (G), nurse and independent journalist
  • Peter Idusogie (I), businessman (write-in)
  • Ben Powers (C), quality control technician

Campaign

Major party candidates: Kennedy, Klobuchar, and Fitzgerald
Candidates Mark Kennedy, Amy Klobuchar, and Robert Fitzgerald debated on November 5, 2006.

Kennedy's routine support of President George W. Bush in House votes appeared to be a central issue for Democrats in the campaign. In June 2006, allegations were made that many references to and photos of Bush had been removed from Kennedy's official U.S. House website. In rebuttal, Republicans said that there were 72 references to Bush on the website and that the changes noted by critics had been made some time ago, as part of the normal updating process. Ben Powers was the only ballot-qualified candidate not invited to appear on Minnesota Public Television's Almanac program, despite Powers's offer to fill the space left unfilled by Klobuchar's decision not to appear with Kennedy and Fitzgerald on the program. Green candidate Michael Cavlan appeared on the program twice during the campaign as a special guest.

Debates

Predictions

SourceRankingAs of
The Cook Political ReportNovember 6, 2006
Sabato's Crystal BallNovember 6, 2006
Rothenberg Political ReportNovember 6, 2006
Real Clear PoliticsNovember 6, 2006

Polling

After the release of the Star Tribune poll on September 17, 2006, showing Klobuchar ahead by 24%, Kennedy's campaign issued a statement from Joe Pally, the campaign's communications director. He claimed that the margin was exaggerated because of bias by the Star Tribune and that the poll was "clearly more about discouraging Kennedy supporters than on reflecting the true status of one of the most closely contested Senate races in the country." This press release came in the wake of news that the Republican party was scaling back funding for Kennedy's election campaign to shore up campaigns in states seen as winnable. Kennedy's campaign frequently accused the Star Tribune of bias in favor of Klobuchar, whose father was an editorial columnist and sportswriter for the paper until his retirement. A subsequent poll by Rasmussen Reports showed a similar lead for Klobuchar, and the St. Paul Pioneer Press also showed Klobuchar with a 15% lead in September. Klobuchar won the November 7 election by more than 20 percentage points.

SourceDateKlobuchar (DFL)Kennedy (R)Fitzgerald (IPM)
RasmussenDecember 23, 2005**48%**41%
RasmussenJanuary 28, 2006**43%**42%
RasmussenFebruary 28, 2006**45%**42%
Zogby/WSJMarch 31, 2006**49%**41%
Greenberg Quinlan Rosner PollMay 9, 2006**50%**42%
RasmussenMay 10, 2006**45%**43%
Zogby/WSJJune 21, 2006**49%**41%
RasmussenJune 30, 2006**47%**44%
*Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune* Minnesota PollJuly 16, 2006**50%**31%
Zogby/WSJJuly 24, 2006**49%**43%
Bennett, Petts, and Blumenthal (D)July 24, 2006**48%**30%
SurveyUSAJuly 24, 2006**47%**42%8%
RasmussenAugust 7, 2006**50%**38%5%
Zogby/WSJAugust 28, 2006**50%**42%
RasmussenAugust 28, 2006**47%**40%8%
GallupSeptember 5, 2006**50%**40%
Zogby/WSJSeptember 11, 2006**49%**40%
*Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune* Minnesota PollSeptember 17, 2006**56%**32%3%
University of Minnesota Humphrey InstituteSeptember 21, 2006**52%**36%7%
*Minnesota Public Radio*/*Pioneer Press*/Mason-DixonSeptember 25, 2006**52%**37%1%
SurveyUSASeptember 28, 2006**51%**43%2%
RasmussenOctober 4, 2006**53%**36%6%
*Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune* Minnesota PollOctober 15, 2006**55%**34%3%
Zogby/WSJOctober 19, 2006**50%**43%
SurveyUSAOctober 24, 2006**55%**39%3%
RasmussenOctober 25, 2006**54%**39%
University of Minnesota Humphrey InstituteNovember 1, 2006**55%**33%3%
*Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune* Minnesota PollNovember 4, 2006**54%**34%4%
SurveyUSANovember 6, 2006**56%**40%2%

Endorsements

  • Wesley Clark, general, 2004 Democratic presidential candidate

Organizations

  • National Women's Political Caucus}}

Results

The race was, as expected, not close, with Klobuchar winning decisively. She did well in major cities, such as Minneapolis and St. Paul, while Kennedy did well only in smaller, less populated counties. The turnout was high, although not unusual for Minnesota, one of the highest voter turnout states. Official turnout came in at 70.64%.

Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic

  • Morrison (largest city: Little Falls)
  • Todd (largest city: Long Prairie)
  • Faribault (largest city: Blue Earth)
  • Nobles (largest city: Worthington)
  • Martin (largest city: Fairmont)
  • Cottonwood (largest city: Windom)
  • Dodge (largest city: Kasson)
  • Murray (largest city: Slayton)
  • Brown (largest city: New Ulm)
  • McLeod (largest city: Hutchinson)
  • Meeker (largest city: Litchfield)
  • Sibley (largest city: Gaylord)
  • Benton (largest city: Sauk Rapids)
  • Isanti (largest city: Cambridge)
  • Chisago (largest city: North Branch)
  • Mille Lacs (largest city: Princeton)
  • Kanabec (largest city: Mora)
  • Lake of the Woods (largest city: Baudette)
  • Roseau (largest city: Roseau)
  • Clearwater (largest city: Bagley)
  • Becker (largest city: Detroit Lakes)
  • Douglas (largest city: Alexandria)
  • Cass (largest city: Lake Shore)
  • Crow Wing (largest city: Brainerd)
  • Hubbard (largest city: Park Rapids)
  • Stearns (largest city: St. Cloud)
  • Wilkin, (largest city: Breckenridge)
  • Houston (largest city: La Crescent)
  • Anoka (largest city: Blaine)
  • Dakota (largest city: Hastings)
  • Scott (largest city: Shakopee)
  • Washington (largest city: Stillwater)
  • Carver (largest city: Chaska)
  • Wabasha (largest city: Lake City)
  • Goodhue (largest city: Red Wing)
  • Le Sueur (largest city: Le Sueur)
  • Waseca (largest city: Waseca)
  • Steele (largest city: Owatonna)
  • Olmsted (largest city: Rochester)

References

References

  1. "The latest from the StarTribune".
  2. "The Fix -- Chris Cillizza's Politics Blog on washingtonpost.com".
  3. (June 9, 2006). "Klobuchar wins DFL Senate endorsement".
  4. (July 11, 2006). "Ford Bell drops out of U.S. Senate race".
  5. "electionresults.sos.state.mn.us".
  6. "Archived copy".
  7. [http://www.startribune.com/587/story/519592.html The latest from the StarTribune]{{Dead link. (September 2018)
  8. "2006 Senate Race Ratings for November 6, 2006".
  9. (November 6, 2006). "Election Eve 2006: THE FINAL PREDICTIONS".
  10. "2006 Senate Ratings". The Rothenberg Political Report.
  11. "Election 2006". Real Clear Politics.
  12. [https://web.archive.org/web/20060920200704/http://www.startribune.com/587/story/683216.html Minnesota Poll]
  13. {{usurped
  14. "Mark Kennedy for Senate".
  15. [http://www.rasmussenreports.com/2005/Minnesota%20Senate.htm Rasmussen] {{Webarchive. link. (January 6, 2006)
  16. [https://web.archive.org/web/20060206171711/http://www.rasmussenreports.com/2006/State%20Polls/January%202006/Minnesota%20Senate%20January%2016.htm Rasmussen]
  17. [https://web.archive.org/web/20060308082759/http://www.rasmussenreports.com/2006/State%20Polls/February%202006/Minnesota%20Senate%20February.htm Rasmussen]
  18. [https://online.wsj.com/public/resources/documents/info-flash06.html?project=elections06-ft Zogby/WSJ]
  19. [https://archive.today/20130124234113/http://www.greenbergresearch.com/index.php?ID=1690 Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Poll]
  20. [https://web.archive.org/web/20060520011822/http://www.rasmussenreports.com/2006/State%20Polls/April%202006/Minnesota%20Senate%20April.htm Rasmussen]
  21. [https://web.archive.org/web/20060710215250/http://www.rasmussenreports.com/2006/State%20Polls/June%202006/minnesotaSenate.htm Rasmussen]
  22. [http://www.startribune.com/784/story/555710.html ''Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune'' Minnesota Poll] {{Dead link. (April 2019)
  23. [https://web.archive.org/web/20061003162312/http://www.dscc.org/news/roundup/20060724_klobuchar/index.htm Bennett, Petts, and Blumenthal (D)]
  24. [http://www.surveyusa.com/client/PollReportEmail.aspx?g=cb5e456a-a797-4727-93fe-f7615e212c10 SurveyUSA]
  25. [http://www.rasmussenreports.com/2006/State%20Polls/August%202006/minnesotaSenate.htm Rasmussen] {{Webarchive. link. (August 30, 2006)
  26. [https://online.wsj.com/public/resources/documents/info-flash06.html?project=elections06-ft&h=495&w=778&hasAd=1 Zogby/WSJ]
  27. [https://web.archive.org/web/20060924144134/http://www.rasmussenreports.com/2006/State%20Polls/August%202006/MinnesotaSenateAug28.htm Rasmussen]
  28. [https://web.archive.org/web/20061005190751/http://www.galluppoll.com/content/?ci=24358 Gallup]
  29. [https://web.archive.org/web/20060920200704/http://www.startribune.com/587/story/683216.html ''Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune'' Minnesota Poll]
  30. [https://archive.today/20130203003852/http://www.startribune.com/blogs/bigquestion/?p=238 University of Minnesota Humphrey Institute]
  31. [http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2006/09/22/senpoll/ ''Minnesota Public Radio''/''Pioneer Press''/Mason-Dixon]
  32. [http://www.surveyusa.com/client/PollReportEmail.aspx?g=a3c773ac-cdc6-43ab-83bc-da241da00e38 SurveyUSA]
  33. [https://web.archive.org/web/20061012033053/http://www.rasmussenreports.com/2006/State%20Polls/October%202006/MinnesotaSenate.htm Rasmussen]
  34. [https://web.archive.org/web/20061018230631/http://www.startribune.com/587/story/743115.html ''Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune'' Minnesota Poll]
  35. [https://online.wsj.com/public/resources/documents/info-elections06.html Zogby/WSJ]
  36. [http://www.surveyusa.com/client/PollReportEmail.aspx?g=09a1ddb1-ea7b-471f-9c9a-0d45cc74022d SurveyUSA]
  37. [http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2006/senate/mn/minnesota_senate_race-15.html Rasmussen]
  38. [https://web.archive.org/web/20070614022102/http://www.hhh.umn.edu/img/assets/23537/HHH%20Survey%20--%20October%202006%20Senate%20Race%20Report.pdf University of Minnesota Humphrey Institute]
  39. [http://www.startribune.com/587/story/788670.html ''Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune'' Minnesota Poll] {{Dead link. (July 2018)
  40. [http://www.surveyusa.com/client/PollReportEmail.aspx?g=f868a83c-a9d0-464b-849e-b42a2a246d19 SurveyUSA]
  41. (4 November 2006). "Amy Klobuchar (Senate -MN) | WesPAC".
  42. "Endorsements".
Info: Wikipedia Source

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