The 2006 Alaska gubernatorial general election took place on November 7, 2006. The former mayor of
Wasilla,
Sarah Palin
Sarah Louise Palin (; Heath; born February 11, 1964) is an American politician, commentator, and author who served as the ninth governor of Alaska from 2006 until her resignation in 2009. She was the 2008 Republican vice presidential nomi ...
, defeated incumbent governor Frank Murkowski in the Republican primary, and then went on to defeat former governor
Tony Knowles in the general election. Palin became the first governor of the state to be born after Alaskan statehood.
Palin would later become the unsuccessful Republican vice presidential nominee in 2008, before resigning as governor in 2009.
Republican primary
Candidates
*
John Binkley,
Fairbanks businessman and former State Senator from Bethel
* Gerald Heikes
* Merica Hlatcu
*
Frank Murkowski, incumbent Governor since 2003
*
Sarah Palin
Sarah Louise Palin (; Heath; born February 11, 1964) is an American politician, commentator, and author who served as the ninth governor of Alaska from 2006 until her resignation in 2009. She was the 2008 Republican vice presidential nomi ...
, former mayor of
Wasilla (19962003) and chair of the
Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (200304)
Incumbent
Frank Murkowski (R), first elected governor in 2002, ran for reelection but was defeated in a landslide in the
Republican primary by former Wasilla mayor
Sarah Palin
Sarah Louise Palin (; Heath; born February 11, 1964) is an American politician, commentator, and author who served as the ninth governor of Alaska from 2006 until her resignation in 2009. She was the 2008 Republican vice presidential nomi ...
on August 22, 2006. Murkowski's approval rating at the time of the election was 19%.
Murkowski also faced opposition from former state lawmaker and
Fairbanks businessman
John Binkley.
Results
Democratic primary
Candidates
*
Eric Croft, State Representative from
Spenard,
Anchorage
Anchorage, officially the Municipality of Anchorage, is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Alaska. With a population of 291,247 at the 2020 census, it contains nearly 40 percent of the state's population. The Anchorage metropolita ...
*
Tony Knowles, former Governor of Alaska (19952003)
* Bruce Lemke
Former two-term Governor
Tony Knowles and state lawmaker
Eric Croft competed for the
Democratic ticket for governor. Knowles had a substantial lead over Croft, both at the polls and with fund raising.
Results
General election
Candidates
*
Andrew Halcro, president and CEO of
Avis Alaska and former State Representative from Anchorage (Independent)
*
Tony Knowles, former Governor of Alaska (19952003) (Democratic)
* David Massie (Green)
*
Sarah Palin
Sarah Louise Palin (; Heath; born February 11, 1964) is an American politician, commentator, and author who served as the ninth governor of Alaska from 2006 until her resignation in 2009. She was the 2008 Republican vice presidential nomi ...
, former mayor of
Wasilla (19962003) and chair of the
Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (200304) (Republican)
* Billy Toien, candidate for governor in 2002 (Libertarian)
*
Don Wright, bush pilot and perennial candidate (Alaska Independence)
Campaign
Republican candidate Sarah Palin, Democratic candidate Tony Knowles, and independent candidate Andrew Halcro faced each other in the general election. Anchorage businessman
Andrew Halcro ran as an Independent in the race for governor. Halcro has served in the Alaska State legislature in the past, and is known as a fiscal hawk. Halcro collected about 4,000 signatures to be placed on the general election ballot without party affiliation. Despite Knowles' experience, Palin was able to win.
Predictions
Polling
Results
See also
*
2006 United States gubernatorial elections
References
*Christiansen, Scott
Grooming the gov: Frank Murkowski seems to be in an endless battle with reporters. That may be just the way he likes it.''Anchorage Press''. June 22, 2005.
*Moore, Jason
Croft takes first step into governor's race KTUU. June 16, 2005.
External links
Office of the Governor of AlaskaSarah Palin for GovernorEric Croft for GovernorEthan Berkowitz for Lt. GovernorTony Knowles for Governor
{{Sarah Palin
2006
2006 was designated as the International Year of Deserts and Desertification.
Events
January
* January 1– 4 – Russia temporarily cuts shipment of natural gas to Ukraine during a price dispute.
* January 12 – A stampede during t ...
Governor
A governor is an politician, administrative leader and head of a polity or Region#Political regions, political region, in some cases, such as governor-general, governors-general, as the head of a state's official representative. Depending on the ...
Alaska
Alaska ( ) is a non-contiguous U.S. state on the northwest extremity of North America. Part of the Western United States region, it is one of the two non-contiguous U.S. states, alongside Hawaii. Alaska is also considered to be the north ...
Sarah Palin
November 2006 in the United States