2006 New York state elections



New York held various elections on November 7, 2006. Most notably, elections were held for the state governor, attorney general, comptroller, and for the U.S. Senate, all of which saw Democrats win and build on their existing majority. While Democrats had already been a strong force in the New York City area, most of the Democratic gains in 2006 occurred upstate. Former Attorney General Eliot Spitzer won the 2006 gubernatorial election by a record margin, while Andrew Cuomo replaced him as the new attorney general. Alan Hevesi was re-elected as comptroller, despite mounting ethics concerns. Hillary Clinton was re-elected to the Senate. For the first time in over 50 years, all major statewide elected offices were held by one party. For the first time in over 60 years, they were all held by Democrats.

Republicans kept control of the State Senate, but lost the seat of Republican Nicholas Spano in Westchester County. Soon after, they lost a Long Island seat in a 2007 special election, and an upstate seat in 2008. Democrats also gained three seats to build on their supermajority in the State Assembly. Republicans did gain a seat in the Assembly in 2007 in a special election in upstate New York.

Democrats flipped three Republican-held congressional seats, all in Upstate New York. Democrat Michael Arcuri won the open seat of retiring Republican Sherwood Boehlert in the 24th Congressional District, which stretches across Central New York from Utica to Oneonta to the Finger Lakes. Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand defeated Republican incumbent John Sweeney in the 20th Congressional District, which includes Saratoga Springs and Glens Falls and takes in most of the upper Hudson Valley. Democrat John Hall defeated Republican incumbent Sue Kelly in the 19th Congressional district in the Lower Hudson Valley outside New York City.

Background
The previous governor, George Pataki, was a Republican who defeated incumbent Democrat Mario Cuomo in 1994 and was re-elected twice by wide margins, leading to a total of 12 consecutive years in the role. Republican Senator Alfonse D'Amato served until he was defeated in 1998 and before him long-time Senator Jacob Javits also served as a Republican, although he ran as a Liberal in 1980.

Controversies and resignations
All three major statewide officeholders were mired in controversy during or since their respective tenures, and at some point, all three have resigned from statewide office.

Hevesi resigned only a few months after his comptroller election after being charged with, and pleading guilty to, one count of defrauding the government. Eventually he was convicted for more corruption charges.

Spitzer announced his resignation as governor on March 11, 2008, due to his involvement in a prostitution ring. While Cuomo did not have a major scandal in the immediate aftermath of his election or during his time as attorney general, he later went on to be accused of sexual harassment while presiding as governor of New York. On August 10, 2021, Cuomo announced his resignation, effective August 24.

United States Senate
Democratic Senator Hillary Clinton was re-elected to a second 6-year term.

Governor
Eliot Spitzer, a Democrat, was elected to replace retiring George Pataki, a Republican.

Attorney General
Andrew Cuomo was elected to replace fellow Democrat Eliot Spitzer, who was elected governor.

Comptroller
Democratic Comptroller Alan Hevesi was re-elected.