2006 Nebraska gubernatorial election

The 2006 Nebraska gubernatorial election was held on November 7, 2006; the primary election was held on May 9, 2006. Republican incumbent Dave Heineman was elected to a full term, defeating Democrat David Hahn.

Candidates

 * Dave Heineman, incumbent Governor of Nebraska
 * Dave Nabity, financial consultant, former Young Republicans state chair
 * Tom Osborne, U.S. Congressman, former football coach

Campaign
The Republican primary election had the unusual situation of an incumbent running against several members of his own party. Originally, the 2006 election would not have had an incumbent. However, this changed when Mike Johanns resigned in January 2005 to become United States Secretary of Agriculture; this elevated Lieutenant Governor Dave Heineman to the governorship. He then announced his intention to run for election to a full four-year term. The other two candidates for the Republican nomination were former Nebraska Cornhuskers football coach Tom Osborne—then serving in the United States House of Representatives—and Omaha businessman Dave Nabity.

In 2005, the three Republican candidates raised more than $2 million overall for their campaigns: Osborne $972,000; Heineman $922,000; and Nabity $150,000.

Osborne named Kate Witek, the Nebraska State Auditor, as his running mate for the office of lieutenant governor. She had previously been the running mate of Gene Spence in the 1994 Nebraska gubernatorial election. After the Osborne-Witek ticket was unsuccessful in the Republican primaries, Witek switched parties and joined the Democratic party.

Results
[[File:2006 Nebraska Gubernatorial election Republican primary results map by county.svg|thumb|center|Primary results by county. Map legend

{{legend|#D72F30|Heineman—70–80%}}

{{legend|#D75D5D|Heineman—60–70%}}

{{legend|#E27F7F|Heineman—50–60%}}

{{legend|#FFB2B2|Heineman—40–50%}}

{{legend|#FFB580|Osborne—40–50%}}

{{legend|#FF9A50|Osborne—50–60%}} ]]

Candidates

 * Glenn R. Boot, Jr., truck driver
 * David Hahn, attorney and internet development company CEO

Campaign
The Democratic primary election did not have any candidates until December 2005, when David Hahn announced his candidacy. Glenn Boot Jr. of Ashland was the other Democratic candidate, but he was disqualified due to a previous felony conviction. The election was not a high priority for Nebraska Democrats. While the main reason was focusing on getting U.S. Senator Ben Nelson reelected, it was very likely that most Democrats didn't want to face the possibility of running against the immensely popular Osborne.

Candidates

 * Barry Richards, farmer

Independent candidates

 * Mort Sullivan, perennial candidate