Oklahoma gubernatorial election, 2006
Encyclopedia
The Oklahoma gubernatorial election of 2006 was held on November 7, 2006, and was a race for the Governor of Oklahoma
. The incumbent Governor, Democrat
Brad Henry
, was re-elected with more than 60 percent of the vote, beating Republican
Ernest Istook
, a member of the United States House of Representatives
(Congressional district 5
).
had dominated state politics for most of Oklahoma
's history, the Oklahoma Republican Party
had recently gained control of the Oklahoma House of Representatives
and held five of the state's six Congressional seats. Henry's opponent, Republican
Ernest Istook
, was a member of the United States House of Representatives
, representing Oklahoma's 5th congressional district
.
As in many Southern states, Oklahoma has favored conservative Democrats
to the more liberal members of the party. In his first term, Henry had supported some tax cuts and took centrist positions on many political hot button issues.
that attacked his opponents' "career politician" background. The Sartain ads were seen as over the top and may have hurt his chances. Sullivan said education was a top priority and had led an effort to place an initiative petition on the November 2006 ballot that would have required 65 percent of money earmarked for education be spent in the classroom.
Governor Brad Henry
won the election with more than 60 percent of the vote, beating Republican
U.S. Representative
Ernest Istook
.
Governor of Oklahoma
The governor of the state of Oklahoma is the head of state for the state of Oklahoma, United States. Under the Oklahoma Constitution, the governor is also the head of government, serving as the chief executive of the Oklahoma executive branch, of the government of Oklahoma...
. The incumbent Governor, Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
Brad Henry
Brad Henry
Charles Bradford "Brad" Henry was the 26th Governor of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. A member of the Democratic Party, he was elected governor in 2002...
, was re-elected with more than 60 percent of the vote, beating Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
Ernest Istook
Ernest Istook
Ernest James Istook Jr. is a former Republican member of the United States House of Representatives from Oklahoma's 5th congressional district. He held his congressional seat for 14 years, completing seven terms in the House...
, a member of the United States House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
(Congressional district 5
Oklahoma's 5th congressional district
Oklahoma's Fifth Congressional District is a U.S. congressional district in Oklahoma, which elects a representative to the United States House of Representatives. It borders all of the other congressional districts in the state except the state's first congressional district...
).
Background
Though DemocratsDemocratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
had dominated state politics for most of Oklahoma
Oklahoma
Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
's history, the Oklahoma Republican Party
Oklahoma Republican Party
The Oklahoma Republican Party is a political party affiliated with the United States Republican Party . Along with the Oklahoma Democratic Party, it is one of the two major parties in Oklahoma politics.-Voter base:...
had recently gained control of the Oklahoma House of Representatives
Oklahoma House of Representatives
The Oklahoma House of Representatives is the lower house of the Oklahoma Legislature, the legislative body of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. Its members are responsible for introducing and voting on bills and resolutions, providing legislative oversight for state agencies, and helping to craft the...
and held five of the state's six Congressional seats. Henry's opponent, Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
Ernest Istook
Ernest Istook
Ernest James Istook Jr. is a former Republican member of the United States House of Representatives from Oklahoma's 5th congressional district. He held his congressional seat for 14 years, completing seven terms in the House...
, was a member of the United States House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
, representing Oklahoma's 5th congressional district
Oklahoma's 5th congressional district
Oklahoma's Fifth Congressional District is a U.S. congressional district in Oklahoma, which elects a representative to the United States House of Representatives. It borders all of the other congressional districts in the state except the state's first congressional district...
.
As in many Southern states, Oklahoma has favored conservative Democrats
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
to the more liberal members of the party. In his first term, Henry had supported some tax cuts and took centrist positions on many political hot button issues.
Results
Candidates
- Ernest IstookErnest IstookErnest James Istook Jr. is a former Republican member of the United States House of Representatives from Oklahoma's 5th congressional district. He held his congressional seat for 14 years, completing seven terms in the House...
, U.S. Congressman - Bob SullivanRobert J. Sullivan, Jr.Robert J. "Bob" Sullivan, Jr. is an American politician from Oklahoma and a Republican candidate in the 2006 Oklahoma gubernatorial election. Sullivan had previously served as the Oklahoma Secretary of Energy under Governor of Oklahoma Frank Keating from 2002 to 2003.Sullivan lost in the July 25,...
, former Oklahoma Secretary of EnergyOklahoma Secretary of EnergyThe Oklahoma Secretary of Energy is a member of the Oklahoma Governor's Cabinet. The Secretary is appointed by the Governor, with the consent of the Oklahoma Senate, to serve at the pleasure of the Governor... - James A. Williamson, Oklahoma State Senator
- Jim Evanoff
Campaign
Istook's strongest opponent in the primary was Sullivan, who positioned himself as the only "non-career politician" in the race. He ran ads featuring Gailard SartainGailard Sartain
Gailard Sartain is an American comedic and serious actor, often playing characters with roots in the South. He is also an accomplished and successful painter and illustrator.-Early years and education:...
that attacked his opponents' "career politician" background. The Sartain ads were seen as over the top and may have hurt his chances. Sullivan said education was a top priority and had led an effort to place an initiative petition on the November 2006 ballot that would have required 65 percent of money earmarked for education be spent in the classroom.
Results
General election
The incumbent DemocratDemocratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
Governor Brad Henry
Brad Henry
Charles Bradford "Brad" Henry was the 26th Governor of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. A member of the Democratic Party, he was elected governor in 2002...
won the election with more than 60 percent of the vote, beating Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
U.S. Representative
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
Ernest Istook
Ernest Istook
Ernest James Istook Jr. is a former Republican member of the United States House of Representatives from Oklahoma's 5th congressional district. He held his congressional seat for 14 years, completing seven terms in the House...
.
Polling
| Source | Date | Henry (D) | Istook (R) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Survey USA | November 4, 2006 | 65% | 29% |
| Rasmussen | October 23, 2006 | 64% | 32% |
| Sooner Poll | October 7, 2006 | 60% | 33% |
| Rasmussen | September 29, 2006 | 59% | 34% |
| Survey USA | September 26, 2006 | 64% | 33% |
| Rasmussen | September 6, 2006 | 54% | 33% |
| Survey USA | August 28, 2006 | 60% | 34% |
| Sooner Poll | July 17, 2006 | 57% | 29% |
| Rasmussen | May 7, 2006 | 50% | 39% |