Minnesota gubernatorial election, 2006
Encyclopedia
The 2006 Minnesota gubernatorial election took place on November 7, 2006. Incumbent Tim Pawlenty
was endorsed by the state Republican convention on June 2, 2006, while the state Democratic-Farmer-Labor convention endorsed Mike Hatch
on June 10, 2006. The statewide party primaries took place on September 12, 2006, with Hatch defeating DFL challengers Becky Lourey
and Ole Savior and incumbent Pawlenty defeating Sue Jeffers
. In the November 7th general election Pawlenty received a plurality of the votes and defeated Hatch by a margin of one percent.
It is widely believed that Hatch's lead in the polls quickly evaporated just days before the election after his Lt. Governor candidate's response to a question about ethanol
posed by a KSAX-TV reporter.
's gaffe of not being able to identify E-85. When asked about the impact of the gasoline alternative on the economies of rural Minnesota by then KSAX-TV anchor Corey Poppe, Dutcher was unable to comment asking Poppe to define E-85.http://www.startribune.com/587/story/784334.html In the subsequent questioning about her response, Gubernatorial Candidate Mike Hatch
called a Forum Communications reporter "A Republican Whore" and promptly hung up the phone.http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/articles/index.cfm?id=27509&freebie_check&CFID=4612252&CFTOKEN=43846502&jsessionid=8830d400afe52687c441http://www.startribune.com/blogs/kersten/?p=37. The issue occurring only three days before the last poll listed here is believed to have swung the race. It put Hatch on the defensive in the last week of the campaign.
, and the Green Party candidate, Ken Pentel
. After Pawlenty opted out of spending limits, Hatch followed suit. Pawlenty outspent Hatch by $1 million. In addition, the race was affected by negative advertising by 527 groups attacking the opposition, as well as issue-oriented groups opposing liberal causes in the state.
Pawlenty made illegal immigration an issue, running ads accusing Hatch of trying to give college tuition to illegal immigrants. Hatch responded with an ad saying that illegal immigration laws had not been enforced under Pawlenty's tenure. Pawlenty also ran ads accusing Hatch of being responsible for raising health care costs, a claim that Hatch disputed. Pawlenty campaigned on a record of leading the state through hard times, balancing record budget deficits without raising major state tax rates, and without diminishing the state's "nation-leading" status on most socio-economic indicators.
Pawlenty won by piling up big margins in suburban counties as well as in central and southern Minnesota regions anchored by St. Cloud
and Rochester, MN. In his victory speech, noting the fact that he would have to deal with both a DFL House and Senate, Pawlenty said that it was "a time tonight to be humble and time to be grateful."
He promised that "the next four years are going to be different than the last four years" and that he would build "a common agenda" with DFLers who swept legislative and constitutional offices.
Hatch ran ahead in Minneapolis, St. Paul
and their inner-ring suburbs. He had big margins in the DFL strongholds around Duluth
and the Iron Range.
In his concession speech, Hatch advocated that legislators get back to "sitting down and getting to know each other in private" in order to establish common ground for bipartisan legislation, and called for an end to partisan rancor. Had the Hatch/Dutcher ticket been successful, he stated that it would have been one of the first goals of his administration. http://www.startribune.com/10134/story/786531.html
Other
Tim Pawlenty
Timothy James "Tim" Pawlenty , also known affectionately among supporters as T-Paw, is an American politician who served as the 39th Governor of Minnesota . He was a Republican candidate for President of the United States in the 2012 election from May to August 2011...
was endorsed by the state Republican convention on June 2, 2006, while the state Democratic-Farmer-Labor convention endorsed Mike Hatch
Mike Hatch
Michael Allen Hatch is an American politician, and was Attorney General of Minnesota from 1999 to 2007. In 2006, he was the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party nominee for governor of Minnesota...
on June 10, 2006. The statewide party primaries took place on September 12, 2006, with Hatch defeating DFL challengers Becky Lourey
Becky Lourey
Becky Lourey is an American politician, a former Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party state senator and state representative, and a former Minnesota gubernatorial candidate. Her son, Matt, served in the U.S...
and Ole Savior and incumbent Pawlenty defeating Sue Jeffers
Sue Jeffers
Sue Jeffers is a small business owner and former candidate for Governor of Minnesota. Jeffers challenged incumbent Tim Pawlenty for the Republican Party nomination in the 2006 Minnesota gubernatorial election, after declining endorsement from the Libertarian Party of Minnesota...
. In the November 7th general election Pawlenty received a plurality of the votes and defeated Hatch by a margin of one percent.
It is widely believed that Hatch's lead in the polls quickly evaporated just days before the election after his Lt. Governor candidate's response to a question about ethanol
Ethanol
Ethanol, also called ethyl alcohol, pure alcohol, grain alcohol, or drinking alcohol, is a volatile, flammable, colorless liquid. It is a psychoactive drug and one of the oldest recreational drugs. Best known as the type of alcohol found in alcoholic beverages, it is also used in thermometers, as a...
posed by a KSAX-TV reporter.
General Election
- Tim PawlentyTim PawlentyTimothy James "Tim" Pawlenty , also known affectionately among supporters as T-Paw, is an American politician who served as the 39th Governor of Minnesota . He was a Republican candidate for President of the United States in the 2012 election from May to August 2011...
(RRepublican Party of MinnesotaThe Republican Party of Minnesota is the Minnesota branch of the United States Republican Party. Elected by the party’s state central committee in June 2009, its chairman is Tony Sutton, and its deputy-chairman is Michael Brodkorb.-Early history:...
) - Incumbent Governor, Ex-State House Majority Leader. Was endorsed by the state Republican party after winning the first ballot, unopposed. - Mike HatchMike HatchMichael Allen Hatch is an American politician, and was Attorney General of Minnesota from 1999 to 2007. In 2006, he was the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party nominee for governor of Minnesota...
(DFLMinnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor PartyThe Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party is a major political party in the state of Minnesota and the state affiliate of the Democratic Party. It was created on April 15, 1944, with the merger of the Minnesota Democratic Party and the Farmer–Labor Party...
) - Attorney General & Ex-State Commerce Commissioner. After seeking the party endorsement for governor two times in the past, and was hoping that the third time would be the charm. Hatch got the strongest showing in the statewide caucus straw poll, and continued to hold his lead into the party convention, in which he received endorsement after seven ballots. - Peter HutchinsonPeter HutchinsonPeter Hutchinson is an American politician, businessman and philanthropy executive from the U.S. state of Minnesota. He ran as the Independence Party of Minnesota candidate for Governor of Minnesota in 2006....
(IPIndependence Party of MinnesotaThe Independence Party of Minnesota , formerly the Reform Party of Minnesota, is the third largest political party in Minnesota, behind the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party and Republican Party . It is the political party of former Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura , and endorsed former U.S...
) - Ex-State Finance Commissioner, Ex-Minneapolis Schools Superintendent & Consultant. Won the party straw poll in March, and was endorsed at the June 24th convention as the party favorite. - Ken PentelKen PentelKen Pentel is an American politician, and a candidate for Governor of Minnesota for the Ecology Democracy Party. Pentel was the gubernatorial candidate for the Green party three previous times, in 1998, 2002, and 2006.-Biography:...
(GGreen Party of MinnesotaThe Green Party of Minnesota is the fourth largest political party in Minnesota and was founded in 1994 on the Four Pillars of the Green Party: Ecological Wisdom, Social and Economic Justice, Grassroots Democracy, and Nonviolence and Peace...
)
Former Candidates
- Sue JeffersSue JeffersSue Jeffers is a small business owner and former candidate for Governor of Minnesota. Jeffers challenged incumbent Tim Pawlenty for the Republican Party nomination in the 2006 Minnesota gubernatorial election, after declining endorsement from the Libertarian Party of Minnesota...
(RRepublican Party of MinnesotaThe Republican Party of Minnesota is the Minnesota branch of the United States Republican Party. Elected by the party’s state central committee in June 2009, its chairman is Tony Sutton, and its deputy-chairman is Michael Brodkorb.-Early history:...
) - Owner of Minneapolis bar Stub and Herbs, known for her opposition to smoking bans and non-public use of eminent domain. A self-described Libertarian RepublicanLibertarian RepublicanA libertarian Republican is a person who subscribes to libertarian philosophy while typically voting for and being involved with the United States Republican Party.Sometimes the terms republitarian or liberty Republican are used as well...
. Also endorsed by the Libertarian PartyLibertarian Party (United States)The Libertarian Party is the third largest and fastest growing political party in the United States. The political platform of the Libertarian Party reflects its brand of libertarianism, favoring minimally regulated, laissez-faire markets, strong civil liberties, minimally regulated migration...
and the Minnesota and National chapters of the Republican Liberty CaucusRepublican Liberty CaucusThe Republican Liberty Caucus is a political action organization dedicated to promoting the ideals of individual liberty, limited government and free market economics within the Republican Party in the United States. It is part of the libertarian wing of the Republican Party...
. Even though she was included in neither the statewide caucus straw poll nor the party endorsement process, she challenged Pawlenty for the Republican nomination in the September primary. The Libertarian Party withdrew their endorsement, as Minnesota law does not allow fusion candidates. - Becky LoureyBecky LoureyBecky Lourey is an American politician, a former Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party state senator and state representative, and a former Minnesota gubernatorial candidate. Her son, Matt, served in the U.S...
(DFLMinnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor PartyThe Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party is a major political party in the state of Minnesota and the state affiliate of the Democratic Party. It was created on April 15, 1944, with the merger of the Minnesota Democratic Party and the Farmer–Labor Party...
) - State Senator, Ex-State Representative, Businesswoman and 2002 Candidate. Was eliminated from the nomination process after the fourth ballot at the state convention. Challenged the party endorsement in the statewide primary. - Steve Kelley (DFLMinnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor PartyThe Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party is a major political party in the state of Minnesota and the state affiliate of the Democratic Party. It was created on April 15, 1944, with the merger of the Minnesota Democratic Party and the Farmer–Labor Party...
) - State Senator, Ex-State Rep., Attorney & 2000 US Senate Candidate. Withdrew his nomination on June 10, 2006 after failing to defeat Hatch in the endorsement fight, throwing his support behind Hatch's campaign. - Kelly DoranKelly DoranKelly J. Doran is a Minnesota businessman. He ran for Governor as a member of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, but ended his bid in March 2006, stating that the campaign was too difficult for his family.-Background:...
(DFLMinnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor PartyThe Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party is a major political party in the state of Minnesota and the state affiliate of the Democratic Party. It was created on April 15, 1944, with the merger of the Minnesota Democratic Party and the Farmer–Labor Party...
) - Real estate developer and former 2006 U.S. Senate candidate. Withdrew his nomination on March 24, 2006. - Ole Savior (DFLMinnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor PartyThe Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party is a major political party in the state of Minnesota and the state affiliate of the Democratic Party. It was created on April 15, 1944, with the merger of the Minnesota Democratic Party and the Farmer–Labor Party...
) - Artist and frequent candidate. After only receiving one vote (out of 1,500) in the first ballot, was eliminated from the party endorsement process. Challenged the endorsement in September. - Bud Philbrook (DFLMinnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor PartyThe Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party is a major political party in the state of Minnesota and the state affiliate of the Democratic Party. It was created on April 15, 1944, with the merger of the Minnesota Democratic Party and the Farmer–Labor Party...
) - Ex-State Rep., Non-Profit Group Executive Director & Attorney. Withdrew his nomination on October 24, 2005. - Pam Ellison (IPIndependence Party of MinnesotaThe Independence Party of Minnesota , formerly the Reform Party of Minnesota, is the third largest political party in Minnesota, behind the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party and Republican Party . It is the political party of former Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura , and endorsed former U.S...
) - Consultant, Ex-Gubernatorial Aide and 2000 Congressional Candidate. - Jonathon "The Impaler" SharkeyJonathon SharkeyJonathon Albert "The Impaler" Sharkey is an American professional wrestler and perennial candidate. He resides in Florida and initially attempted to run for President as a Republican in 2012...
(VWP) - Self-proclaimed vampireVampireVampires are mythological or folkloric beings who subsist by feeding on the life essence of living creatures, regardless of whether they are undead or a living person...
. Sharkey's campaign was jeopardized on January 30, 2006 when he was arrested in Princeton, MinnesotaPrinceton, MinnesotaAs of the census of 2000, there were 3,933 people, 1,624 households, and 998 families residing in the city. The population density was 887.7 people per square mile . There were 1,670 housing units at an average density of 376.9 per square mile...
on felony charges stemming from allegations of stalkingStalkingStalking is a term commonly used to refer to unwanted and obsessive attention by an individual or group to another person. Stalking behaviors are related to harassment and intimidation and may include following the victim in person and/or monitoring them via the internet...
and flight, in Indiana. Sharkey's campaign website has been taken down. It was discovered that the stalking charge had been dismissed on September 29, 2003 when Sharkey pleaded guilty to two counts of invasion of privacy and was ordered to submit to mental health treatment. At his trial on July 18, 2006, he was found not guilty of the felony escape charge. Nevertheless, Sharkey's arrest and jailing effectively terminated his campaign.
Election Campaign
Pawlenty refused state subsidies opting instead to not accept mandatory spending limits that were associated with those subsidies. His campaign raised new records in money for a Gubernatorial Campaign in Minnesota.E-85 Incident
One big issue that was seen to hurt the DFL nominees was Lt. Governor candidate Judi DutcherJudi Dutcher
Judith H. Dutcher is an attorney and former politician who served as the Minnesota State Auditor from 1995 – 2003 as both a Republican and Democrat . She was the first woman to serve as Minnesota State Auditor....
's gaffe of not being able to identify E-85. When asked about the impact of the gasoline alternative on the economies of rural Minnesota by then KSAX-TV anchor Corey Poppe, Dutcher was unable to comment asking Poppe to define E-85.http://www.startribune.com/587/story/784334.html In the subsequent questioning about her response, Gubernatorial Candidate Mike Hatch
Mike Hatch
Michael Allen Hatch is an American politician, and was Attorney General of Minnesota from 1999 to 2007. In 2006, he was the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party nominee for governor of Minnesota...
called a Forum Communications reporter "A Republican Whore" and promptly hung up the phone.http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/articles/index.cfm?id=27509&freebie_check&CFID=4612252&CFTOKEN=43846502&jsessionid=8830d400afe52687c441http://www.startribune.com/blogs/kersten/?p=37. The issue occurring only three days before the last poll listed here is believed to have swung the race. It put Hatch on the defensive in the last week of the campaign.
Polling
| Source | Date | Hatch (DFL) | Pawlenty (R) | Hutchinson (IP) | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Star Tribune Minnesota Poll | November 4, 2006 | 45% | 40% | 7% | 7% |
| University of Minnesota | October 28, 2006 | 45% | 39% | 7% | |
| Mason-Dixon | October 27, 2006 | 44% | 43% | 7% | |
| St. Cloud State University | October 27, 2006 | 46% | 36% | 7% | |
| Rasmussen | October 25, 2006 | 45% | 44% | 2% | |
| Zogby/WSJ | October 19, 2006 | 45% | 44.9% | ||
| Star Tribune Minnesota Poll | October 14, 2006 | 46% | 37% | 7% | 6% |
| Rasmussen | October 4, 2006 | 50% | 46% | 2% | |
| Survey USA | September 28, 2006 | 44% | 45% | 6% | 3% |
| Pioneer Press/MPR Poll | September 22, 2006 | 39% | 42% | 5% | 11% |
| The Humphrey Institute | September 21, 2006 | 44% | 42% | 6% | 5% |
| Star Tribune Minnesota Poll | September 16, 2006 | 42% | 42% | 7% | 5% |
| Zogby/WSJ | September 11, 2006 | 42.2% | 40.5% | ||
| Gallup | September 5, 2006 | 44% | 43% | ||
| Rasmussen | September 1, 2006 | 39% | 45% | 7% | |
| Zogby/WSJ | August 28, 2006 | 43.1% | 40.6% | 5-9% | |
| Rasmussen | August 7, 2006 | 36% | 46% | 6% | |
| Survey USA | July 24, 2006 | 36% | 50% | 8% | |
| Zogby/WSJ | July 24, 2006 | 42.9% | 43.1% | ||
| Star Tribune Minnesota Poll | July 15, 2006 | 41% | 43% | ||
| Rasmussen | June 30, 2006 | 47% | 42% | ||
| Zogby/WSJ | June 21, 2006 | 39.8% | 45.0% | ||
| Rasmussen | May 10, 2006 | 49% | 39% | ||
| Rasmussen | February 28, 2006 | 45% | 40% | ||
| Rasmussen | January 29, 2006 | 44% | 47% | ||
Election results
On November 7, 2006, Tim Pawlenty narrowly won the general election, 46.7% to 45.7%, in a four-way race between himself, DFL candidate Mike Hatch, the Independence Party candidate, Peter HutchinsonPeter Hutchinson
Peter Hutchinson is an American politician, businessman and philanthropy executive from the U.S. state of Minnesota. He ran as the Independence Party of Minnesota candidate for Governor of Minnesota in 2006....
, and the Green Party candidate, Ken Pentel
Ken Pentel
Ken Pentel is an American politician, and a candidate for Governor of Minnesota for the Ecology Democracy Party. Pentel was the gubernatorial candidate for the Green party three previous times, in 1998, 2002, and 2006.-Biography:...
. After Pawlenty opted out of spending limits, Hatch followed suit. Pawlenty outspent Hatch by $1 million. In addition, the race was affected by negative advertising by 527 groups attacking the opposition, as well as issue-oriented groups opposing liberal causes in the state.
Pawlenty made illegal immigration an issue, running ads accusing Hatch of trying to give college tuition to illegal immigrants. Hatch responded with an ad saying that illegal immigration laws had not been enforced under Pawlenty's tenure. Pawlenty also ran ads accusing Hatch of being responsible for raising health care costs, a claim that Hatch disputed. Pawlenty campaigned on a record of leading the state through hard times, balancing record budget deficits without raising major state tax rates, and without diminishing the state's "nation-leading" status on most socio-economic indicators.
Pawlenty won by piling up big margins in suburban counties as well as in central and southern Minnesota regions anchored by St. Cloud
St. Cloud, Minnesota
St. Cloud is a city in the U.S. state of Minnesota and the largest population center in the state's central region. The population was 65,842 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Stearns County...
and Rochester, MN. In his victory speech, noting the fact that he would have to deal with both a DFL House and Senate, Pawlenty said that it was "a time tonight to be humble and time to be grateful."
He promised that "the next four years are going to be different than the last four years" and that he would build "a common agenda" with DFLers who swept legislative and constitutional offices.
Hatch ran ahead in Minneapolis, St. Paul
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Saint Paul is the capital and second-most populous city of the U.S. state of Minnesota. The city lies mostly on the east bank of the Mississippi River in the area surrounding its point of confluence with the Minnesota River, and adjoins Minneapolis, the state's largest city...
and their inner-ring suburbs. He had big margins in the DFL strongholds around Duluth
Duluth, Minnesota
Duluth is a port city in the U.S. state of Minnesota and is the county seat of Saint Louis County. The fourth largest city in Minnesota, Duluth had a total population of 86,265 in the 2010 census. Duluth is also the second largest city that is located on Lake Superior after Thunder Bay, Ontario,...
and the Iron Range.
In his concession speech, Hatch advocated that legislators get back to "sitting down and getting to know each other in private" in order to establish common ground for bipartisan legislation, and called for an end to partisan rancor. Had the Hatch/Dutcher ticket been successful, he stated that it would have been one of the first goals of his administration. http://www.startribune.com/10134/story/786531.html
External links
Campaign Websites- Kelly Doran for Governor
- Mike Hatch for Governor (2006/11/15)
- Pam Ellison for Governor
- Peter Hutchinson for Governor (2006/12/19)
- Sue Jeffers for Governor
- Steve Kelley for Governor
- Becky Lourey for Governor
- Tim Pawlenty for Governor
- Jonathon "The Impaler" Sharkey for Governor
Other
- Minnesota Governor Candidates Directory and E-Debate- from E-Democracy.Org