2006 Kansas gubernatorial election

The 2006 Kansas gubernatorial election took place on November 7, 2006. Incumbent Democratic Governor Kathleen Sebelius, who sported high approval ratings ran for re-election to serve a second and final term. She was unopposed for the Democratic nomination and faced Republican State Senator Jim Barnett, who emerged from a crowded primary. Sebelius soundly defeated Barnett and cruised to re-election, which was quite a considerable feat for a Democrat in staunchly conservative Kansas. This was Sebelius's second time winning a majority and was part of a trend from 1984 to 2010 where 7 of 8 Kansas gubernatorial elections were won with a majority rather than a simple plurality. No candidate received a majority of votes in 2014, 2018 or 2022.

Candidates

 * Kathleen Sebelius, incumbent Governor of Kansas

Republican primary
[[File:2006 Kansas gubernatorial Republican primary county map.svg|thumb|150px|Primary results by county: Barnett

{{legend|#6d0404|Barnett—71-80%}}

{{legend|#a70808|Barnett—61-70%}}

{{legend|#d60f0f|Barnett—51-60%}}

{{legend|#ff0000|Barnett—41-50%}}

{{legend|#f29b8a|Barnett—31-40%}}

{{legend|#f8dbd5|Barnett—21-30%}} Canfield

{{legend|#ffff00|Canfield—51-60%}}

{{legend|#f2f26c|Canfield—41-50%}}

{{legend|#f2f2a0|Canfield—31-40%}}

{{legend|#f8f8cc|Canfield—21-30%}} Jennison

{{legend|#001600|Jennison—81-90%}}

{{legend|#002400|Jennison—71-80%}}

{{legend|#003900|Jennison—61-70%}}

{{legend|#006400|Jennison—51-60%}}

{{legend|#59d622|Jennison—41-50%}}

{{legend|#90ee90|Jennison—31-40%}}

{{legend|#bfff92|Jennison—21-30%}} Crowell

{{legend|#e97c11|Crowell—31-40%}} {{legend|#cd42ca|Tie between Barnett and Canfield-31%}} ]]

Candidates

 * Jim Barnett, State Senator
 * Running mate: Susan Wagle, state senator (2001–present) and former state representative (1991-2001)
 * Ken R. Canfield, author and founder of the National Center for Fathering
 * Running mate: Kathe Decker, state representative (1993–present)
 * Rex Crowell, former State Representative
 * Running mate: Brian Shepherd
 * Dennis Hawver, Libertarian nominee for Governor in 2002
 * Running mate: Bret D. Landrith, attorney
 * Robin Jennison, former Speaker of the Kansas House of Representatives
 * Running mate: Dennis Wilson, state senator (2005–present) and former state representative (1995-1999)
 * Timothy V. Pickell, attorney
 * Running mate: Jeffrey McCalmon
 * Richard "Rode" Rodewald, perennial candidate
 * Running mate: Helen Kanzig

Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic

 * Sherman (largest municipality: Goodland)
 * Lane (largest municipality: Dighton)
 * Stafford (largest municipality: St. John)
 * Mitchell (largest municipality: Beloit)
 * Lincoln (largest municipality: Lincoln) (previously tied)
 * Kingman (largest municipality: Kingman)
 * Ottawa (largest municipality: Minneapolis) (previously tied)
 * Doniphan (Largest city: Wathena)
 * Linn (Largest city: Pleasanton)
 * Woodson (Largest city: Yates Center)
 * Wilson (Largest city: Neodesha)
 * Bourbon (Largest city: Fort Scott)
 * Cherokee (Largest city: Baxter Springs)
 * McPherson (largest municipality: McPherson)
 * Johnson (largest municipality: Overland Park)

Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican

 * Coffey (largest municipality: Burlington)
 * Chase (largest city: Cottonwood Falls)
 * Greenwood (largest municipality: Eureka)
 * Norton (largest municipality: Norton)
 * Pratt (largest municipality: Pratt)
 * Pottawatomie (largest municipality: Manhattan)