2006 New Mexico gubernatorial election

The 2006 New Mexico gubernatorial election was a race for the Governor of New Mexico held on November 7, 2006. Incumbent Democratic Governor Bill Richardson was running for re-election. He faced Republican John Dendahl in the general election and won by a landslide. , this was the last time a male candidate was elected Governor of New Mexico.

Democratic

 * Bill Richardson, incumbent Governor of New Mexico
 * Anselmo A. Chavez, veteran and perennial candidate

Republican

 * James R. Damron, physician
 * George Brent Bailey Jr., educator and minister

Candidates

 * Bill Richardson (Democrat), incumbent Governor of New Mexico
 * John Dendahl (Republican), former chair of the Republican Party of New Mexico

Campaign
Damron defeated Bailey in the Republican primary, but withdrew from the race on June 17, 2006 due to a lack of fundraising. John Dendahl was appointed by the Republican State Central Committee to replace him. There were no general election debates between the two candidates.

Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic

 * Chaves (largest village: Roswell)
 * Eddy (largest city: Carlsbad)
 * Lincoln (largest city: Roidoso)
 * Otero (largest city: Alamogordo)
 * San Juan (largest city: Farmington)
 * Sierra (largest city: Truth or Consequences)
 * Torrance (largest city: Moriarty)
 * Los Alamos (largest city: Los Alamos)