The 2006 Florida gubernatorial election took place on November 7, 2006. Incumbent Republican Governor Jeb Bush was term-limited, and could not run for reelection to a third consecutive term. The election was won by then-Republican Charlie Crist, the state's Attorney General. The election was notable in that for the first time, the state elected a Republican governor in three consecutive elections.
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| Turnout | 46.8% 8.5[1] | |||||||||||||||||||
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  Crist: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% Davis: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Turnout for the 2006 election was down 8.5% from 2002 and down 2.7% from 1998.[2] With Republicans holding the seat, the state's governorship avoided being part of the wave in which Democrats netted a gain of six governorships across the nation.[3] This remains the last time that Charlie Crist won a statewide election in Florida as well as the last election that he ran as a Republican. This was the last time until 2022 that anyone was elected governor with a majority of the vote. As of 2024, this is the last time Florida simultaneously elected a United States Senate candidate and a gubernatorial candidate of different political parties.
Democratic primary
Campaign
Jim Davis won the Democratic primary on September 5. Davis was the Congressman from Florida's 11th congressional district and served in the Florida House of Representatives, where he also served as the Majority Leader. On September 13, Davis selected former state senator and 2002 gubernatorial candidate Daryl Jones of Miami as his running mate.
The Democratic primary turned heated as it approached primary day. Rod Smith attacked Jim Davis for a 1990 legislative vote denying restitution for two black men wrongfully imprisoned for murder.[4] Davis countered that Smith was a "pawn" of the sugar industry, and that "big business" and special interests were funding many of Smith's attack ads.[4]
Candidates
Declared
- Glenn Burkett
- Carol Castagnero, retired teacher
- John M. Crotty
- Jim Davis, U.S. representative from Tampa
- Rod Smith, state senator from Gainesville
Withdrew
- Bud Chiles, son of former governor Lawton Chiles[5]
- Scott Maddox, former mayor of Tallahassee and former chairman of the Florida Democratic Party[6]
Declined
- Betty Castor, former Education Commissioner of Florida, former president of the University of South Florida, 2004 Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate[5]
Endorsements
U.S. senators
- Max Cleland, former U.S. senator from Georgia[7]
- Bob Graham, former governor of Florida and former U.S. senator from Florida[8]
U.S. representatives
- Alcee Hastings, U.S. representative (FL-23)[9]
- Pete Peterson, former U.S. representative, former United States Ambassador to Vietnam[10]
- Debbie Wasserman Schultz, U.S. representative (FL-20)[9]
- Robert Wexler, U.S. representative (FL-19)[9]
Statewide officials
- Buddy MacKay, former governor of Florida[11]
Mayors and other municipal leaders
- Frank Bruno, Volusia County Council Chairman[12]
- Steve Feren, Mayor of Sunrise[9]
- Ilene Lieberman, Broward County Commissioner[9]
- Scott Maddox, former mayor of Tallahassee[6]
- Carl Persis, Volusia County Councilman[12]
- Diana Wasserman-Rubin, Broward County Commissioner[9]
Other individuals
- Rhea Chiles, former First Lady of Florida[13]
Newspapers
Organizations
Statewide officials
- Bob Butterworth, former attorney general of Florida[16]
- Wayne Mixson, former governor of Florida[16]
State legislators
- Dave Aronberg, state senator[17]
- Skip Campbell, state senator[18]
- Steven Geller, state senator[18]
- Richard Machek, state representative[17]
- Matt Meadows, state representative[18]
- Nan Rich, state senator[12]
- Jack Seiler, state representative[18]
- Priscilla Taylor (politician), state representative[17]
Mayors and other municipal leaders
- Sharon Bock, Palm Beach Clerk of Court and Comptroller[17]
- Howard Finkelstein, Broward County Public Defender[18]
- Howard Forman, Broward County Clerk of the Court[18]
- Addie Greene, Palm Beach County Commissioner[17]
- Ron Greenstein, state representative[18]
- Carey Haughwout, Palm Beach County Public Defender[17]
- Barry Krischer, Palm Beach County State Attorney[17]
- Ed Oppel, Port of Palm Beach Commissioner[17]
- Ari Porth, state representative
- Tom Rossin, former state senator and 2002 Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor[17]
- Tim M. Ryan, state representative[18]
- Mike Satz, Broward County State Attorney
- David Turner, Gilchrist County Sheriff
- Lois Wexler, Broward County Commissioner[18]
Other individuals
- Bud Chiles, son of former governor Lawton Chiles[13]
Newspapers
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Jim Davis | 405,879 | 47.32% | |
| Democratic | Rod Smith | 353,161 | 41.17% | |
| Democratic | Carol Castagnero | 45,161 | 5.267% | |
| Democratic | Glenn Burkett | 32,984 | 3.85% | |
| Democratic | John M. Crotty | 20,629 | 2.40% | |
| Total votes | 857,814 | 100.00% | ||
Republican primary
Charlie Crist, the Republican candidate, won the primary on September 5 with 64% of the vote.[20] Crist was Florida's Attorney General at the time. Previously he was elected State Education Commissioner, and has served in the Florida Senate. He faced Bob Graham for his seat in the United States Senate in 1998. On September 13, 2006, Crist announced that State Representative Jeff Kottkamp of Cape Coral would be his running mate.
The GOP primary did not end up being very competitive. Crist touted experience in statewide offices, and a strong fundraising capability. He portrayed himself as relatively moderate on social issues, which created some misgivings among conservative Republicans in the state, but not nearly enough to sway the vote to Tom Gallagher.[4]
Candidates
Declared
- Charlie Crist, Attorney General of Florida, and nominee for U.S. Senate in 1998
- Tom Gallagher, Chief Financial Officer of Florida, former State Treasurer-Insurance Commissioner, former Education Commissioner, and candidate for governor in 1986 and 1994
- Vernon Palmer
- Michael W. St. Jean, minister
Declined
Endorsements
U.S. senators
- Connie Mack III, former U.S. senator from Florida[22]
- Mel Martinez, U.S. senator from Florida[23]
- John McCain, U.S. senator from Arizona[24]
State legislators
- Allan Bense, Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives[25]
- Victor Crist, state senator[26]
- Mike Fasano, state senator[27]
- Jeff Kottkamp, state representative[27]
- Joe Negron, state representative[28]
Mayors and other municipal leaders
- Bill Balkwill, Sarasota County Sheriff[29]
- Kevin Beary, Orange County Sheriff[12]
- Susan Benton, Highlands County Sheriff[29]
- Rick Beseler, Clay County Sheriff[29]
- Jim Coats, Pinellas County Sheriff[29]
- Robert Crowder, Martin County Sheriff[28]
- Chris Daniels, Lake County Sheriff[12]
- John Davenport, Charlotte County Sheriff[29]
- Don Eslinger, Seminole County Sheriff[12]
- Bill Farmer, Sumter County Sheriff[29]
- Donald Fleming, Flagler County Sheriff[29]
- Heather Fiorentino, Pasco County Superintendent of Schools[26]
- David Gee, Hillsborough County Sheriff[29]
- Wendell Hall, Santa Rosa County Sheriff[29]
- Ben Johnson, Volusia County Sheriff[12]
- Grady Judd, Polk County Sheriff[29]
- Ronnie Lee, Hendry County Sheriff[29]
- Jack Mariano, Pasco County Commissioner[26]
- Paul May, Okeechobee County Sheriff[29]
- Ron McNesby, Escambia County Sheriff[29]
- Charlie Morris, Okaloosa County Sheriff[29]
- Rich Nugent, Hernando County Sheriff[29]
- Steve Oelrich, Alachua County Sheriff[29]
- Jed Pittman, Pasco County Clerk of the Court[26]
- Rick Roth, Monroe County Sheriff[29]
- John Rutherford, Duval County Sheriff[29]
- Mike Scott, Lee County Sheriff[29]
- Tommy Seagraves, Nassau County Sheriff[29]
- David Shoar, St. Johns County Sheriff[29]
- Steve Simon, Pasco County Commissioner[26]
- Doug Smith, Martin County Commissioner[28]
- Charlie Wells, Manatee County Sheriff[29]
- Mike Wells, Pasco County Property Appraiser[26]
- Bob White, Pasco County Sheriff[29]
Newspapers
- The Daytona Beach News-Journal[30]
- Florida Times-Union[14]
- Orlando Sentinel[14]
- The Palm Beach Post[30]
- Sun-Sentinel[14]
- St. Petersburg Times[14]
- Tampa Tribune[14]
Organizations
- Florida Fraternal Order of Police[12]
- Florida Medical Political Action Committee[25]
- Florida Police Benevolent Association[31]
- NRA Political Victory Fund[32][33]
- Sierra Club[15]
U.S. representatives
- Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (FL-18)[34]
Statewide officials
- Bob Martinez, former governor of Florida[31]
- James C. Smith, former attorney general of Florida, Florida Secretary of State, and 1994 Republican candidate for governor[34]
State legislators
- JD Alexander, state senator[31]
- Dick Kravitz, state representative[31]
- John E. Thrasher, former Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives[34]
Mayors and other municipal leaders
- Dottie Berger MacKinnon, former Hillsborough County Commissioner[31]
- Jack Parker, Brevard County Sheriff[12]
- Roy Raymond, Indian River County Sheriff[12]
Other individuals
- James Dobson, founder of Focus on the Family[35]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Charlie Crist | 630,816 | 63.98% | |
| Republican | Tom Gallagher | 330,165 | 33.49% | |
| Republican | Vernon Palmer | 13,547 | 1.37% | |
| Republican | Michael W. St. Jean | 11,458 | 1.16% | |
| Total votes | 985,986 | 100.00% | ||
General election
Candidates
- Charlie Crist, Florida Attorney General (Republican nominee)
- Jim Davis, United States Representative from Florida's 11th congressional district (Democratic nominee)
- Max Linn, financial planner (Reform Party nominee)
- John Wayne Smith, perennial candidate (No Party Affiliation)
- Richard Paul Dembinsky, perennial candidate (No Party Affiliation)
- Karl C.C. Behm, paintball facility owner (No Party Affiliation)
Predictions
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| The Cook Political Report[37] | Lean R | November 6, 2006 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[38] | Lean R | November 6, 2006 |
| Rothenberg Political Report[39] | Likely R | November 2, 2006 |
| Real Clear Politics[40] | Lean R | November 6, 2006 |
Opinion polling
| Source | Date | Crist (R) | Davis (D) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Survey USA[41] | November 6, 2006 | 49% | 47% |
| Strategic Vision[42] | November 6, 2006 | 51% | 44% |
| Orlando Sentinel[43] | November 3, 2006 | 50% | 43% |
| Mason-Dixon[44] | November 3, 2006 | 50% | 43% |
| Strategic Vision[45] | November 2, 2006 | 50% | 44% |
| Zogby/WSJ[46] | October 31, 2006 | 49.9% | 45.1% |
| St. Petersburg Times[47] | October 28, 2006 | 48% | 42% |
| Rasmussen[48] | October 26, 2006 | 52% | 41% |
| Strategic Vision[49] | October 25, 2006 | 51% | 42% |
| Quinnipiac[50] | October 23, 2006 | 46% | 44% |
| Zogby/WSJ[46] | October 19, 2006 | 50.2% | 41% |
| Rasmussen[48] | October 18, 2006 | 46% | 41% |
| Rasmussen[51] | October 2, 2006 | 54% | 38% |
| Strategic Vision[52] | September 28, 2006 | 50% | 40% |
| Zogby/WSJ[46] | September 25, 2006 | 50.1% | 36.6% |
| Rasmussen[53] | September 19, 2006 | 45% | 40% |
| Zogby/WSJ[46] | September 11, 2006 | 50.6% | 36.4% |
| Rasmussen[54] | September 5, 2006 | 45% | 41% |
| Strategic Vision[55] | August 30, 2006 | 49% | 41% |
| Zogby/WSJ[46] | August 28, 2006 | 52.4% | 38.5% |
| Rasmussen[56] | August 1, 2006 | 47% | 42% |
| Quinnipiac[57] | July 26, 2006 | 44% | 38% |
| Strategic Vision[58] | July 26, 2006 | 49% | 39% |
| Mason-Dixon[59] | July 24, 2006 | 48% | 32% |
| Zogby/WSJ[46] | July 24, 2006 | 42.8% | 39.0% |
| Quinnipiac[60] | June 29, 2006 | 41% | 39% |
| Rasmussen[61] | June 29, 2006 | 49% | 35% |
| Strategic Vision[62] | June 28, 2006 | 49% | 41% |
| Zogby/WSJ[46] | June 21, 2006 | 42.5% | 39.8% |
| Strategic Vision[63] | May 25, 2006 | 48% | 40% |
| Quinnipiac[64] | May 24, 2006 | 37% | 40% |
| Rasmussen[65] | May 22, 2006 | 44% | 39% |
| Rasmussen[66] | April 21, 2006 | 44% | 33% |
| Quinnipiac[67] | April 19, 2006 | 37% | 39% |
| Quinnipiac[68] | February 22, 2006 | 40% | 36% |
| Rasmussen[69] | January 6, 2006 | 36% | 35% |
| Rasmussen[70] | November 16, 2005 | 38% | 41% |
| Quinnipiac[71] | November 15, 2005 | 39% | 40% |
Results
Charlie Crist won by over 7 points, winning all Republican-leaning areas of Florida, as well as the notable "swing" region along the I-4 corridor (Daytona Beach, Orlando, Tampa/St. Petersburg). Davis performed well in the Democrat-leaning south Florida, Gainesville, and Tallahassee areas. Crist under-performed compared to his predecessor Jeb Bush, but still outpaced Davis, despite the low turnout. Reform Party candidate Max Linn received nearly 2% of the vote, but his sizeable haul of over 92,500 votes was still not enough to sway the election. Crist also won 18% of the African-American electorate, which outpaced previous Republicans' efforts in attracting this voting bloc in statewide elections.
Also on the ballot the same day was a constitutional amendment to raise the requirement for all future ballot initiatives to a supermajority (60%). Previously, constitutional amendments put on the ballot required only a simple majority (50% +1) to be approved, and led to some controversial amendments being put on the ballot. Support and opposition for the amendment fell loosely along party lines with Democrats generally opposing its passage. Both Crist and Davis publicly opposed the measure,[72] but it was passed anyway by the voters with a 55% margin - a higher margin than either candidate received.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Charlie Crist/Jeff Kottkamp | 2,519,845 | 52.20% | −3.81% | |
| Democratic | Jim Davis/Daryl Jones | 2,178,289 | 45.10% | +1.94% | |
| Reform | Max Linn | 92,595 | 1.90% | +1.90% | |
| Independent | John Wayne Smith | 15,987 | 0.30% | ||
| Independent | Richard Paul Dembinsky | 11,921 | 0.20% | ||
| Independent | Karl C.C. Behm | 10,487 | 0.20% | ||
| Write-ins | 147 | 0.00% | 0 | ||
| Majority | 341,556 | 7.10% | −5.75% | ||
| Turnout | 4,829,271 | ||||
| Republican hold | Swing | ||||
Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican
Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic
- Miami-Dade (largest city: Miami)
See also
Notes
References
External links
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