2006 Idaho gubernatorial election


The Idaho gubernatorial election of 2006 was held on November 7, 2006. Incumbent Governor Jim Risch succeeded Dirk Kempthorne, who resigned May 26 to become Secretary of the Interior. Risch served as governor until the end of the term, but had committed to a reelection campaign for Lieutenant Governor before Kempthorne's appointment and subsequent resignation.

Republican primary

Candidates

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominated candidates

A candidate legally named Marvin Pro-Life Richardson filed suit to force the state to print his full legal on the ballots, as filed in campaign paperwork. The Secretary of State stated that ballots themselves are supposed to be neutral, not political billboards, and declined the request. In September 2006 he changed his legal name to simply "Pro-Life" in an attempt to force the issue. However, the ballots went to the printer naming "Marvin Richardson" as the Constitution Party candidate. The party later disavowed his candidacy resulting in a candidate without a name, and without a party, appearing on the ballot.

Results

Otter won by 8.56%, the election was surprisingly close. Brady performed much better than expected, receiving 44.11% of the vote.