2006 United States Senate election in Nevada

The 2006 United States Senate election in Nevada was held on November 7, 2006. Incumbent Republican John Ensign defeated Democratic nominee Jack Carter to win re-election to a second term. This election was the only Senate election in Nevada where the incumbent Republican Senator was re-elected or won re-election since 1980 and the only Senate election in Nevada for this seat where the incumbent Republican Senator was re-elected or won re-election since 1952.

Nominee

 * John Ensign, incumbent U.S. Senator

Defeated in primary

 * Ed Hamilton, businessman

Democratic primary
Popular Las Vegas mayor Oscar Goodman had said in January 2006 that he would probably run, but decisively ruled out a run in late April. Going into the 2006 cycle, many top Nevada Democrats such as State Assembly speaker Richard Perkins indicated that the party would put more efforts into the gubernatorial election than into defeating Ensign.

Nominee

 * Jack Carter, U.S Navy veteran and son of former President Jimmy Carter

Defeated in primary

 * Ruby Jee Tun, middle school science teacher

Declined to run

 * Oscar Goodman, Mayor of Las Vegas
 * Frankie Sue Del Papa, Attorney General of Nevada
 * Dina Titus, member of the Nevada Senate (ran for Governor)

Candidates

 * Jack Carter (D), Navy veteran and son of former President Jimmy Carter
 * John Ensign (R), incumbent U.S. Senator
 * David Schumann (I), retired financial analyst, 2004 nominee, and 2002 state senator nominee
 * Brendan Trainor (L), state party chair, airline quality manager, and frequent candidate

Campaign
Carter's advantages included his formidable speaking abilities and kinship with a former U.S. President. On the other hand, Ensign was also considered to be an effective speaker and as of the first quarter of 2006, held an approximately 5-1 advantage over Carter in cash-on-hand.

Debates

 * Complete video of debate, October 15, 2006

Results
Ensign won a majority of the votes in every county in the state, with his lowest percentage at 53%.