2006 United States House of Representatives elections in Kentucky explained

Election Name:2006 United States House of Representatives elections in Kentucky
Country:Kentucky
Type:legislative
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:2004 United States House of Representatives elections in Kentucky
Previous Year:2004
Next Election:2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Kentucky
Next Year:2008
Seats For Election:All 6 Kentucky seats to the United States House of Representatives
Election Date:November 7, 2006
Party1:Republican Party (United States)
Last Election1:5
Seats1:4
Seat Change1: 1
Popular Vote1:611,780
Percentage1:48.80%
Swing1: 13.42%
Party2:Democratic Party (United States)
Last Election2:1
Seats2:2
Seat Change2: 1
Popular Vote2:601,723
Percentage2:48.00%
Swing2: 11.18%

The 2006 House elections in Kentucky occurred on November 7, 2006, to elect the members of the State of Kentucky's delegation to the United States House of Representatives. Kentucky had six seats in the House, apportioned according to the 2000 United States census.

These elections occurred simultaneously with the United States Senate elections of 2006, the United States House elections in other states, and various state and local elections.

Overview

United States House of Representatives elections in Kentucky, 2006[1]
PartyVotesPercentageSeats+/–
Republican611,78048.80%4-1
Democratic601,72348.00%2+1
Libertarian39,2493.13%0-
Constitution7740.06%0-
Totals1,253,526100.00%6

District 1

Election Name:2006 Kentucky's 1st congressional district election
Country:Kentucky
Type:presidential
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:2004 United States House of Representatives elections in Kentucky#District 1
Previous Year:2004
Next Election:2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Kentucky#District 1
Next Year:2008
Image1:File:Wayne Edward Whitfield.jpg
Nominee1:Ed Whitfield
Party1:Republican Party (United States)
Popular Vote1:123,618
Percentage1:59.6%
Nominee2:Tom Barlow
Party2:Democratic Party (United States)
Popular Vote2:83,865
Percentage2:40.4%
U.S. Representative
Before Election:Ed Whitfield
Before Party:Republican Party (United States)
After Election:Ed Whitfield
After Party:Republican Party (United States)

See also: Kentucky's 1st congressional district.

Incumbent Republican Congressman Ed Whitfield faced off against former Congressman Thomas Barlow, the Democratic nominee, winning by a solid margin, but less than he is used to in this west Kentucky-based district.

District 2

Election Name:2006 Kentucky's 2nd congressional district election
Country:Kentucky
Type:presidential
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:2004 United States House of Representatives elections in Kentucky#District 2
Previous Year:2004
Next Election:2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Kentucky#District 2
Next Year:2008
Image1:File:Ron Lewis, official 109th Congressional photo.jpg
Nominee1:Ron Lewis
Party1:Republican Party (United States)
Popular Vote1:118,548
Percentage1:55.4%
Nominee2:Mike Weaver
Party2:Democratic Party (United States)
Popular Vote2:95,415
Percentage2:44.6%
U.S. Representative
Before Election:Ron Lewis
Before Party:Republican Party (United States)
After Election:Ron Lewis
After Party:Republican Party (United States)

See also: Kentucky's 2nd congressional district.

Incumbent Ron Lewis (R) was sought a sixth term in this conservative, west-central Kentucky district. Lewis has had no trouble winning reelection after succeeding longtime Democrat William Natcher. His special election victory turned out to be the first sign of the Republican wave later that year. But when first elected, he had promised to serve only six full terms. He was challenged by state Representative Mike Weaver, whose background in business and War Veteran of both Korea and Vietnam made it hard to portray him as a liberal. However, Weaver had trouble raising money. Ultimately, Weaver was unable to capitalize on the Democratic wave sweeping the country, and lost to Lewis.

Endorsements

District 3

Election Name:2006 Kentucky's 3rd congressional district election
Country:Kentucky
Type:presidential
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:2004 United States House of Representatives elections in Kentucky#District 3
Previous Year:2004
Next Election:2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Kentucky#District 3
Next Year:2008
Image1:File:John-Yarmuth-111th.jpg
Nominee1:John Yarmuth
Party1:Democratic Party (United States)
Popular Vote1:122,489
Percentage1:50.6%
Nominee2:Anne Northup
Party2:Republican Party (United States)
Popular Vote2:116,568
Percentage2:48.2%
U.S. Representative
Before Election:Anne Northup
Before Party:Republican Party (United States)
After Election:John Yarmuth
After Party:Democratic Party (United States)

See also: Kentucky's 3rd congressional district.

Incumbent Anne Northup (R) had been a target for the Democrats since her election in 1996; in 2004 and 2000, John Kerry and Al Gore both won her Louisville-centered congressional district by two percent, and Bill Clinton won the district by double-digit margins during the 1990s. While Northup had generally run close races, she won 60% of the vote in the 2004 election. Redistricting after the 2000 census added a few more suburban Republicans to the district, according to Congressional Quarterly. The Democratic candidate was John Yarmuth, the founder of local free publication LEO. In spite of Northup's electoral success, excellent constituent services, and popularity among blue-collar voters in southern Louisville, Democrats saw this race as winnable, calling attention to Northup's 91% lockstep voting record with an unpopular President Bush. Northup led in most polls until October, when Yarmuth began to gain. By election night, the race had become highly competitive. House Majority Leader John Boehner referred to Northup as the Republicans' "canary in the coal mine", meaning that her fortunes would portend the outcome of House elections nationwide. This proved to be a correct assessment, as on election night, Yarmuth defeated Northup and Republicans lost control of the House.

District 4

Election Name:2006 Kentucky's 4th congressional district election
Country:Kentucky
Type:presidential
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:2004 United States House of Representatives elections in Kentucky#District 4
Previous Year:2004
Next Election:2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Kentucky#District 4
Next Year:2008
Image1:File:Geoff-Davis-110th.jpg
Nominee1:Geoff Davis
Party1:Republican Party (United States)
Popular Vote1:105,845
Percentage1:51.7%
Nominee2:Ken Lucas
Party2:Democratic Party (United States)
Popular Vote2:88,822
Percentage2:43.4%
U.S. Representative
Before Election:Geoff Davis
Before Party:Republican Party (United States)
After Election:Geoff Davis
After Party:Republican Party (United States)

See also: Kentucky's 4th congressional district.

First-term incumbent Geoff Davis (R) was being challenged by retired U.S. Air Force Major Ken Lucas (D), who held the seat from 1999 to 2005. Lucas defeated Davis 51% to 48% in 2002, and retired in 2004, adhering to a pledge of serving only three consecutive terms in the House. Lucas was among the most conservative Democrats in Congress and remains well known in the district, which includes most of Kentucky's share of the Cincinnati metropolitan area. Brian Houillion (L) entered the race on June 19. In late July The Washington Post also rated the race as a toss-up.[2] However, Davis is an aggressive campaigner who had spent much time in the district, which ultimately paid off, as Davis defeated Lucas by a surprisingly wide margin.

District 5

Election Name:2006 Kentucky's 5th congressional district election
Country:Kentucky
Type:presidential
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:2004 United States House of Representatives elections in Kentucky#District 5
Previous Year:2004
Next Election:2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Kentucky#District 5
Next Year:2008
Image1:File:Hal rogers.jpg
Nominee1:Hal Rogers
Party1:Republican Party (United States)
Popular Vote1:147,201
Percentage1:73.8%
Nominee2:Kenneth Stepp
Party2:Democratic Party (United States)
Popular Vote2:52,367
Percentage2:26.2%
U.S. Representative
Before Election:Hal Rogers
Before Party:Republican Party (United States)
After Election:Hal Rogers
After Party:Republican Party (United States)

See also: Kentucky's 5th congressional district.

Incumbent Republican Congressman Hal Rogers faced off against Democratic nominee Kenneth Stepp, who was not a serious contender for the seat considering this east Kentucky district's strong conservative tendencies.

District 6

Election Name:2006 Kentucky's 6th congressional district election
Country:Kentucky
Type:presidential
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:2004 United States House of Representatives elections in Kentucky#District 6
Previous Year:2004
Next Election:2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Kentucky#District 6
Next Year:2008
Image1:File:A.B. Chandler.jpg
Nominee1:Ben Chandler
Party1:Democratic Party (US)
Popular Vote1:158,765
Percentage1:85.5%
Nominee2:Paul Ard
Party2:Libertarian Party (US)
Popular Vote2:27,015
Percentage2:15.5%
Map Size:300px
U.S. Representative
Before Election:Ben Chandler
Before Party:Democratic Party (US)
After Election:Ben Chandler
After Party:Democratic Party (US)

See also: Kentucky's 6th congressional district.

Opposed by only Libertarian candidate Paul Ard, incumbent Democratic Congressman Ben Chandler faced no serious obstacle in his bid for a third term.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives.
  2. https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/custom/2006/07/22/CU2006072200370.html Eight Issues That Will Shape the 2006 Elections (washingtonpost.com)