View source for 2006 Minnesota gubernatorial election

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{{Use American English|date=January 2025}}
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{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2021}}
{{Infobox election
| election_name = 2006 Minnesota gubernatorial election
| country = Minnesota
| flag_year = 1983
| type = presidential
| ongoing = no
| previous_election = 2002 Minnesota gubernatorial election
| previous_year = 2002
| next_election = 2010 Minnesota gubernatorial election
| next_year = 2010
| election_date = November 7, 2006
| image1 = File:Tim Pawlenty official photo.jpg
| nominee1 = '''[[Tim Pawlenty]]'''
| running_mate1 = '''[[Carol Molnau]]'''
| party1 = Republican Party (United States)
| popular_vote1 = '''1,028,568'''
| percentage1 = '''46.69%'''
| image2 = File:MikeHatchMinnesota2006-08-21 crop.jpg
| image_size = x150px
| nominee2 = [[Mike Hatch]]
| running_mate2 = [[Judi Dutcher]]
| party2 = Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party
| popular_vote2 = 1,007,460
| percentage2 = 45.73%
| image3 = 3x4.svg 
| nominee3 = [[Peter Hutchinson (politician)|Peter Hutchinson]]
| running_mate3 = [[Maureen Reed]]
| party3 = Independence Party of Minnesota
| popular_vote3 = 141,735
| percentage3 = 6.43%
| map_image = {{switcher |[[File:2006 Minnesota gubernatorial election results map by county.svg|280px]] |County results |[[File:MN Governor 2006.svg|280px]] |Precinct results |default=1}}
| map_size = 270px
| map_caption = '''Pawlenty:''' {{legend0|#FFB2B2|40–50%}} {{legend0|#E27F7F|50–60%}} {{legend0|#d75d5d|60–70%}} {{legend0|#D72F30|70–80%}} {{legend0|#C21B18|80–90%}} {{legend0|#A80000|>90%}}<br />'''Hatch:''' {{legend0|#A5B0FF|40–50%}} {{legend0|#7996e2|50–60%}} {{legend0|#6674de|60–70%}} {{legend0|#584cde|70–80%}} {{legend0|#3933e5|80–90%}} {{legend0|#0D0596|>90%}}<br />'''Tie:''' {{legend0|#d2b1d9|40–50%}} {{legend0|#ae8bb1|50%}} {{legend0|#808080|No votes}}
| title = Governor
| before_election = [[Tim Pawlenty]]
| before_party = Republican Party of Minnesota
| after_election = [[Tim Pawlenty]]
| after_party = Republican Party of Minnesota
}}
{{ElectionsMN}}
The '''2006 Minnesota gubernatorial election''' took place on November 7, 2006. Incumbent [[Tim Pawlenty]] was endorsed by the state Republican convention on June 2, 2006, while the state Democratic–Farmer–Labor convention endorsed [[Mike Hatch]] on June 10, 2006. The party primaries took place on September 12, 2006, with Hatch defeating DFL challengers [[Becky Lourey]] and Ole Savior and incumbent Pawlenty defeating [[Sue Jeffers]]. In the November 7 general election, Pawlenty received a plurality of the votes, defeating Hatch by a margin of 1%. As a result, this election was the closest race of the [[2006 United States gubernatorial elections|2006 gubernatorial election cycle]].

As of {{CURRENTYEAR}}, it is the last time a Republican won a statewide race in Minnesota.

==Democratic–Farmer–Labor primary==
===Candidates===
====Declared====
* [[Mike Hatch]], 28th [[Minnesota Attorney General]] since 1999, former [[Minnesota Department of Commerce|Minnesota Commissioner of Commerce]] (1983–89), and former State Party Chair of the [[Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party]] (1980–83). Hatch received the strongest support of all candidates in the statewide caucus straw poll, and continued to hold his lead into the party convention, in which he received the endorsement after seven ballots. Hatch's running mate was 18th [[Minnesota State Auditor]] (since 1995) [[Judi Dutcher]].
* [[Becky Lourey]], [[Minnesota Senate|State Senator]] from senate district 8 since 1997, former [[Minnesota House of Representatives|State Representative]] from legislative districts 8B (1993–97) and 14B (1991–93), businesswoman, activist, and [[homemaker]]. Lourey lost the DFL endorsement race to Mike Hatch, but continued to seek the DFL nomination in the primary election. Her running mate was businessman, former [[National Football League|NFL]] [[defensive back]] (1976–79), and former Minneapolis Planning Commission member (1992–2001) [[Tim Baylor]].
* Ole Savior, artist and [[perennial candidate]]. At the DFL state convention, Savior was eliminated on the first ballot for the party endorsement, after winning just one vote out of 1,500, but he continued to seek the nomination in the primary. Savior's running mate was Dan Fischer.

====Withdrawn====
* [[Kelly Doran]], [[real estate developer]]. Doran withdrew his candidacy on March 24, 2006.
* [[Steve Kelley (politician)|Steve Kelley]], [[Minnesota Senate|State Senator]] from senate district 44 since 1997, former [[Minnesota House of Representatives|State Representative]] from legislative district 44A (1993–97), and [[Attorney at law|attorney]]. Kelley withdrew his candidacy on June 10, 2006, after failing to defeat Hatch in the endorsement fight, throwing his support behind Hatch's campaign.
* [[Bud Philbrook]], former [[Minnesota House of Representatives|State Representative]] from legislative district 48B (1975–77), non-profit executive director, and [[Attorney at law|attorney]]. Philbrook withdrew his candidacy on October 24, 2005.

===Results===
{{Election box begin no change
|title = Democratic–Farmer–Labor gubernatorial primary election, 2006<ref name="primaryresults">{{cite web|url=http://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/Results/Governor/56?officeInElectionId=132|title=MN Election Results|website=electionresults.sos.state.mn.us|access-date=April 6, 2018}}</ref>
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Mike Hatch
| party = Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party
| votes = 231,643
| percentage = 73.20
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Becky Lourey
| party = Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party
| votes = 77,430
| percentage = 24.47
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Ole Savior
| party = Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party
| votes = 7,397
| percentage = 2.34
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 316,470
| percentage = 100.00
}}
{{Election box end}}

==Independence primary==
===Candidates===
* [[Pam Ellison]], 2000 congressional candidate, former gubernatorial aide, and consultant. Ellison's running mate was Kari Johnson.
* [[Peter Hutchinson (politician)|Peter Hutchinson]], former [[Minnesota Department of Revenue|Minnesota Commissioner of Finance]] (1989–91), former Superintendent of Minneapolis Public Schools (1993–97), and consultant. Hutchinson won the [[Independence Party of Minnesota|Independence Party]] straw poll in March, and was endorsed at the June 24 convention. Hutchinson's running mate was physician and former [[University of Minnesota]] [[Board of Regents]] member (1997–2005) and chair (2001–03) [[Maureen Reed]].

===Results===
{{Election box begin no change
|title = Independence gubernatorial primary election, 2006<ref name="primaryresults"/>
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Peter Hutchinson
| party = Independence Party of Minnesota
| votes = 7,725
| percentage = 66.09
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Pam Ellison
| party = Independence Party of Minnesota
| votes = 3,964
| percentage = 33.91
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 11,689
| percentage = 100.00
}}
{{Election box end}}

==Republican primary==
===Candidates===
* [[Sue Jeffers]], [[Minneapolis]] bar owner and noted opponent of [[smoking ban]]s and non-public use of [[eminent domain]]. A self-described [[Libertarian Republican]], Jeffers was also endorsed by the [[Libertarian Party of Minnesota|Libertarian Party]] (which later withdrew its endorsement, as Minnesota law does not allow [[fusion candidate]]s) and the Minnesota and National chapters of the [[Republican Liberty Caucus]]. Though included in neither the statewide caucus straw poll nor the party endorsement process, Jeffers challenged Governor Pawlenty for the Republican nomination in the September primary. Her running mate was Ruth Hendrycks.
* [[Tim Pawlenty]], incumbent 39th [[Governor of Minnesota]] since 2003, former [[Majority Leader of the Minnesota House of Representatives]] (1999–2003), former [[Minnesota House of Representatives|State Representative]] from legislative district 38B (1993–2003), former [[Eagan, Minnesota|Eagan]] City Councilor (1989–93), former member of the Eagan Planning Commission, [[Attorney at law|attorney]], and businessman. Pawlenty was endorsed by the state Republican party after winning the first ballot, unopposed. His running mate was incumbent 46th [[Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota]] (since 2003) [[Carol Molnau]].

===Results===
{{Election box begin no change
|title = Republican gubernatorial primary election, 2006<ref name="primaryresults"/>
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Tim Pawlenty (incumbent)
| party = Republican Party of Minnesota
| votes = 147,622
| percentage = 88.87
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Sue Jeffers
| party = Republican Party of Minnesota
| votes = 18,490
| percentage = 11.13
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 166,112
| percentage = 100.00
}}
{{Election box end}}

==Other candidates==
===Nominated by petition===
* Walt E. Brown ([[Independent (United States)|Independent]]; used the ballot designation "Quit Raising Taxes"). Brown's running mate was Wesley C. Nelson.
* Leslie Davis ([[American Party (1969)|American]]). Davis's running mate was Gregory K. Soderberg.
* Ken Pentel ([[Green Party of Minnesota|Green]]). Pentel's running mate was Danene Provencher.

===Former candidates===
* [[Jonathon Sharkey|Jonathon "The Impaler" Sharkey]] ([[VWP Party|VWP]]) – Self-proclaimed [[vampire]]. Sharkey's campaign was jeopardized on January 30, 2006, when he was arrested in [[Princeton, Minnesota]] on felony charges stemming from allegations of [[stalking]] and flight, in Indiana.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://wcco.com/topstories/local_story_031105113.html |title = wcco.com - 'Impaler' Claims He Did Nothing Wrong  |access-date=June 18, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060716080857/http://wcco.com/topstories/local_story_031105113.html |archive-date=July 16, 2006 }}</ref> Sharkey's campaign website was taken down. It was discovered that the stalking charge had been dismissed on September 29, 2003,<ref>[http://www.theimpalerforpresident2008.us/images/Dismissal_of_Charges.JPG Scanned copy of Prosecutor's Motion to Dismiss] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090324192213/http://www.theimpalerforpresident2008.us/images/Dismissal_of_Charges.JPG |date=March 24, 2009 }}</ref> when Sharkey pleaded guilty to two counts of invasion of privacy and was ordered to submit to mental health treatment.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.in.gov/judiciary/opinions/pdf/12110605jts.pdf|title=Sharkey v. Indiana, Ind. App. (2006)|website=in.gov|access-date=April 6, 2018}}</ref> At his trial on July 18, 2006, he was found not guilty of the felony escape charge. Nevertheless, Sharkey's arrest and jailing effectively terminated his campaign.

==General election==
On November 7, 2006, Tim Pawlenty narrowly won the general election, 46.7% to 45.7%, in a four-way race between himself, DFL candidate Mike Hatch, Independence Party candidate [[Peter Hutchinson (politician)|Peter Hutchinson]], and Green Party candidate Ken Pentel. After Pawlenty opted out of spending limits, Hatch followed suit. Outspending Hatch by $1&nbsp;million, Pawlenty's campaign set a new spending record for a Minnesota gubernatorial campaign. The race was also affected by negative advertising by 527 groups, as well as issue-oriented groups opposing liberal causes in the state.

A major issue in the campaign that was considered to have hurt the DFL nominees was lieutenant gubernatorial candidate [[Judi Dutcher]]'s response to a question about [[E-85]]. When asked about the impact of the gasoline alternative on the economies of rural Minnesota by then [[KSAX-TV]] anchor [[Corey Poppe]], Dutcher was unable to comment, asking Poppe to define E-85.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.startribune.com/587/story/784334.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061114135949/http://www.startribune.com/587/story/784334.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 14, 2006|title=GOP jumps on Dutcher's E85 misstep|date=November 14, 2006|access-date=April 6, 2018}}</ref> In the subsequent questioning about her response, gubernatorial candidate [[Mike Hatch]] reportedly called a Forum Communications reporter "a Republican whore" and promptly hung up the phone.<ref>http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/articles/index.cfm?id=27509&freebie_check&CFID=4612252&CFTOKEN=43846502&jsessionid=8830d400afe52687c441{{dead link|date=February 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>http://www.startribune.com/blogs/kersten/?p=37{{dead link|date=February 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Hatch claimed he had said "hack", not "whore", but the incident, occurring only three days before the last poll listed in this article, is believed to have swung the race. It put Hatch on the defensive in the campaign's last week.

Additionally, Pawlenty made illegal immigration an issue, running ads accusing Hatch of trying to give illegal immigrants college tuition. Hatch responded with an ad saying that illegal immigration laws had not been enforced under Pawlenty's tenure. Pawlenty also ran ads accusing Hatch of being responsible for raising [[health care prices in the United States|health care costs]], a claim Hatch disputed. Pawlenty campaigned on a record of leading the state through hard times, balancing record budget deficits without raising major state tax rates or diminishing the state's "nation-leading" status on most socioeconomic indicators.

Pawlenty won by piling up large margins in suburban counties as well as in central and southern Minnesota regions anchored by [[St. Cloud, Minnesota|St. Cloud]] and [[Rochester, Minnesota|Rochester]]. In his victory speech, noting that he would have to deal with a DFL [[85th Minnesota Legislature|House and Senate]], Pawlenty said it was "a time tonight to be humble and time to be grateful." He promised that "the next four years are going to be different than the last four years" and that he would build "a common agenda" with DFLers who swept legislative and constitutional offices.

Hatch ran ahead in [[Minneapolis]], [[Saint Paul, Minnesota|St. Paul]] and their inner-ring suburbs, and won by large margins around [[Duluth, Minnesota|Duluth]] and the [[Iron Range]]. In his concession speech, Hatch advocated that legislators get back to "sitting down and getting to know each other in private" to establish common ground for bipartisan legislation, and called for an end to partisan rancor. Had the Hatch/Dutcher ticket been successful, he stated that this would have been one of his administration's first goals.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.startribune.com/10134/story/786531.html |title = Hatch concedes to Pawlenty  |access-date=November 8, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070926222607/http://www.startribune.com/10134/story/786531.html |archive-date=September 26, 2007 }}</ref>

=== Predictions ===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! Source
! Ranking
! As of
|-
| align=left | [[The Cook Political Report]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=2006 Governor Race Ratings for November 6, 2006|url=https://cookpolitical.com/races/report_pdfs/2006_gov_ratings_nov6.pdf|website=The Cook Political Report|access-date=October 1, 2006|archive-date=June 5, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080605094803/https://cookpolitical.com/races/report_pdfs/2006_gov_ratings_nov6.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}
| November 6, 2006
|-
| align=left | [[Sabato's Crystal Ball]]<ref>{{cite web | title=Election Eve 2006: THE FINAL PREDICTIONS | url=https://centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/articles/ljs2006110601/ | website=Sabato's Crystal Ball | access-date=June 25, 2021}}</ref>
| {{USRaceRating|Tilt|D|flip}}
| November 6, 2006
|-
| align=left | [[Stuart Rothenberg|Rothenberg Political Report]]<ref>{{cite web | title=2006 Gubernatorial Ratings | url=https://www.insideelections.com/ratings/governor/2006-gubernatorial-ratings | work=Senate Ratings | publisher=The Rothenberg Political Report | access-date=June 25, 2021}}</ref>
| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}
| November 2, 2006
|-
| align=left | [[Real Clear Politics]]<ref>{{cite web | title=Election 2006 | url=https://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/writeup/election_2006-21.html| publisher=Real Clear Politics | access-date=June 25, 2021}}</ref>
| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}
| November 6, 2006
|}

===Polling===
====Two-way====
{| class="wikitable"
! width=190px | Source
! width=130px | Date 
! width=100px | Mike<br />Hatch (DFL)
! width=100px | Tim<br />Pawlenty (R)
! width=80px | Undecided
|-
| align=left |[[University of Minnesota]]<ref>[http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2006/governor/mn/minnesota_governor_race-57.html University of Minnesota]</ref>
| align=center| October 28, 2006
| {{party shading/DFL}} align=center|'''45%'''
| align=center| 39%
| align=center| 7%
|-
| align=left |[[Mason-Dixon Polling & Research Inc.|Mason-Dixon]]<ref>[http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2006/governor/mn/minnesota_governor_race-57.html Mason-Dixon]</ref>
| align=center| October 27, 2006
| {{party shading/DFL}} align=center| '''44%'''
| align=center| 43%
| align=center| 7%
|-
| align=left |[[St. Cloud State University]]<ref>[http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2006/governor/mn/minnesota_governor_race-57.html St. Cloud State University]</ref>
| align=center| October 27, 2006
| {{party shading/DFL}} align=center| '''46%'''
| align=center| 36%
| align=center| 7%
|-
| align=left |[[Rasmussen Reports|Rasmussen]]<ref name="Rasmussen">[http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2006/governor/mn/minnesota_governor_race-57.html Rasmussen]</ref>
| align=center| October 25, 2006
| {{party shading/DFL}} align=center| '''45%'''
| align=center| 44%
| align=center| 2%
|-
| align=left |[[IBOPE Zogby International|Zogby]]/[[WSJ]]<ref name="Zogby/WSJ">[https://online.wsj.com/public/resources/documents/info-flash06.html?project=elections06-ft&h=495&w=778&hasAd=1&mod=blogs Zogby/WSJ]</ref>
| align=center| October 19, 2006
| align=center| '''45%'''
| align=center| '''45%'''
| 
|-
| align=left |[[Rasmussen Reports|Rasmussen]]<ref name="Rasmussen"/>
| align=center| October 4, 2006
| {{party shading/DFL}} align=center| '''50%'''
| align=center| 46%
| align=center| 2%
|-
| align=left |[[IBOPE Zogby International|Zogby]]/[[WSJ]]<ref name="Zogby/WSJ"/>
| align=center| September 11, 2006
| {{party shading/DFL}} align=center| '''42%'''
| align=center| 41%
| 
|-
| align=left |[[Gallup, Inc.|Gallup]]<ref>[http://www.galluppoll.com:/content/default.aspx?ci=24358 Gallup]</ref>
| align=center| September 5, 2006
| {{party shading/DFL}} align=center| '''44%'''
| align=center| 43%
|
|-
| align=left |[[IBOPE Zogby International|Zogby]]/[[WSJ]]<ref name="Zogby/WSJ"/>
| align=center| July 24, 2006
| align=center| '''43%'''
| align=center| '''43%'''
|-
| align=left |[[Star Tribune Minnesota Poll]]<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20060719034818/http://www.startribune.com/784/story/554728.html Star Tribune Minnesota Poll]</ref>
| align=center| July 15, 2006
| align=center| 41%
| {{party shading/Republican}} align=center| '''43%'''
|-
| align=left |[[Rasmussen Reports|Rasmussen]]<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20060720053651/http://www.rasmussenreports.com/2006/State%20Polls/June%202006/minnesotaGovernor.htm Rasmussen]</ref>
| align=center| June 30, 2006
| {{party shading/DFL}} align=center| '''47%'''
| align=center| 42%
|-
| align=left |[[IBOPE Zogby International|Zogby]]/[[WSJ]]<ref name="Zogby/WSJ"/>
| align=center| June 21, 2006
| align=center| 40%
| {{party shading/Republican}} align=center| '''45%'''
|-
| align=left |[[Rasmussen Reports|Rasmussen]]<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20060520133131/http://www.cqpolitics.com/2006/05/mn_gov_hatch_ahead_in_poll_but.html Rasmussen]</ref>
| align=center| May 10, 2006
| {{party shading/DFL}} align=center| '''49%'''
| align=center| 39%
|-
| align=left |[[Rasmussen Reports|Rasmussen]]<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20060319210255/http://www.rasmussenreports.com/2006/State%20Polls/February%202006/Minnesota%20Governor%20February.htm Rasmussen]</ref>
| align=center| February 28, 2006
| {{party shading/DFL}} align=center| '''45%'''
| align=center| 40%
|-
| align=left |[[Rasmussen Reports|Rasmussen]]<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20060206171854/http://www.rasmussenreports.com/2006/State%20Polls/January%202006/Minnesota%20Governor%20January%2016.htm Rasmussen]</ref>
| align=center| January 29, 2006
| align=center| 44%
| {{party shading/Republican}} align=center| '''47%'''
|}

====Three-way====
{| class="wikitable"
! width=315px | Source
! width=130px | Date 
! width=100px | Mike<br />Hatch (DFL)
! width=100px | Tim<br />Pawlenty (R)
! width=100px | Peter<br />{{nowrap|Hutchinson (IP)}}
! width=100px | Undecided
|-
| align=left | Star Tribune Minnesota Poll{{Dead link|date=September 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
| align=center| November 4, 2006
| {{party shading/DFL}} align=center|'''45%'''
| align=center| 40%
| align=center| 7%
| align=center| 7%
|-
| align=left |[[Star Tribune Minnesota Poll]]<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20061018075501/http://www.startribune.com/784/story/741960.html Star Tribune Minnesota Poll]</ref>
| align=center| October 14, 2006
| {{party shading/DFL}} align=center| '''46%'''
| align=center| 37%
| align=center| 7%
| align=center| 6%
|-
| align=left |[[Survey USA]]<ref>[http://www.surveyusa.com/client/PollReportEmail.aspx?g=a3c773ac-cdc6-43ab-83bc-da241da00e38 Survey USA]</ref>
| align=center| September 28, 2006
| align=center| 44%
| {{party shading/Republican}} align=center| '''45%'''
| align=center| 6%
| align=center| 3%
|-
| align=left |[[Pioneer Press]]/[[MPR Poll]]<ref>[http://www.twincities.com/multimedia/twincities/archive/pdfs/poll1.pdf Pioneer Press/MPR Poll]</ref>
| align=center| September 22, 2006
| align=center| 39%
| {{party shading/Republican}} align=center| '''42%'''
| align=center| 5%
| align=center| 11%
|-
| align=left |[[The Humphrey Institute]]<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20060905232440/http://www.hhh.umn.edu/news/index.html The Humphrey Institute]</ref>
| align=center| September 21, 2006
| {{party shading/DFL}} align=center| '''44'''%
| align=center| 42%
| align=center| 6%
| align=center| 5%
|-
| align=left | Star Tribune Minnesota Poll{{dead link|date=February 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
| align=center| September 16, 2006
| align=center| '''42%'''
| align=center| '''42%'''
| align=center| 7%
| align=center| 5%
|-
| align=left | Rasmussen{{dead link|date=February 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
| align=center| September 1, 2006
| align=center| 39%
| {{party shading/Republican}} align=center| '''45%'''
| align=center| 7%
|-
| align=left |[[IBOPE Zogby International|Zogby]]/[[WSJ]]<ref name="Zogby/WSJ"/>
| align=center| August 28, 2006
| {{party shading/DFL}} align=center| '''43%'''
| align=center| 41%
| align=center| 5–9%
|-
| align=left |[[Rasmussen Reports|Rasmussen]]<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20060813114349/http://rasmussenreports.com/2006/State%20Polls/August%202006/minnesotaGovernor.htm Rasmussen]</ref>
| align=center| August 7, 2006
| align=center| 36%
| {{party shading/Republican}} align=center| '''46%'''
| align=center| 6%
|-
| align=left |[[Survey USA]]<ref>[http://www.surveyusa.com/client/PollReportEmail.aspx?g=cb5e456a-a797-4727-93fe-f7615e212c10 Survey USA]</ref>
| align=center| July 24, 2006
| align=center| 36%
| {{party shading/Republican}} align=center| '''50%'''
| align=center| 8%
|}

====Debate and forum====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|+ 2006 Minnesota gubernatorial election debate & candidate forum
|-
! scope="col" | {{abbr|No.|Number}}
! scope="col" | Date
! scope="col" | Host
! scope="col" | Moderator
! scope="col" | Link
! scope="col"| <small>[[Republican Party (US)|Republican]]</small>
! scope="col"| <small>[[Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party|DFL]]</small>
! scope="col"| <small>[[Independence Party of Minnesota|Independence]]</small>
|-
! colspan="5" rowspan="2" |Key:<br />{{Colors|black|#90ff90|&nbsp;P&nbsp;}} <small>Participant&nbsp;</small> {{Colors|black|#FFFFDD|&nbsp;A&nbsp;}} <small>Absent&nbsp;</small> {{Colors|black|#ff9090|&nbsp;N&nbsp;}} <small>Not invited&nbsp;</small> {{Colors|black|#CCFFCC|&nbsp;I&nbsp;}} <small>Invited {{color box|#f0e68c|W}} Withdrawn</small>
! scope="col" style="background:{{party color|Republican Party (US)}}"|
! scope="col" style="background:{{party color|Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party}}"|
! scope="col" style="background:{{party color|Independence Party of Minnesota}}"|
|-
! scope="col" | [[Tim Pawlenty]]
! scope="col" | [[Mike Hatch]]
! scope="col" | [[Peter Hutchinson (politician)|Peter Hutchinson]]
|-
!1
| style="white-space:nowrap;" | Oct. 29, 2006
| style="white-space:nowrap;" | [[KSTP-TV]]<br />[[League of Women Voters]] Minnesota Education Fund
| style="white-space:nowrap;" | Tom Hauser
| style="white-space:nowrap;" |<ref>[https://www.c-span.org/video/?195176-1/minnesota-gubernatorial-debate C-SPAN]</ref>
| {{Yes|'''P'''}}
| {{Yes|'''P'''}}
| {{Yes|'''P'''}}
|-
!2
| style="white-space:nowrap;" | Nov. 3, 2006
| style="white-space:nowrap;" | [[Almanac (American TV series)|Almanac]]<br />[[WCCO (AM)]]
| style="white-space:nowrap;" | [[Eric Eskola]]<br />[[Cathy Wurzer]]
| style="white-space:nowrap;" | [https://www.c-span.org/video/?195249-1/minnesota-gubernatorial-forum C-SPAN]
| {{Yes|'''P'''}}
| {{Yes|'''P'''}}
| {{Yes|'''P'''}}
|}

=== Results ===
{{align|right|{{Switcher| [[File:2006 Minnesota gubernatorial election swing map by county.svg|300px]]|Swing by county<br />{{collapsible list| title = Legend|{{legend|#00a1c8|Democratic — +>15%}}|{{legend|#00bdec|Democratic — +12.5-15%}}|{{legend|#09ceff|Democratic — +10-12.5%}}|{{legend|#4bdbff|Democratic — +7.5-10%}}|{{legend|#77e3ff|Democratic — +5-7.5%}}|{{legend|#AAEEFF|Democratic — +2.5-5%}}|{{legend|#D5F6FF|Democratic — +0-2.5%}}|{{legend|#FFD5D5|Republican — +0-2.5%}}|{{legend|#FFAAAA|Republican — +2.5-5%}}|{{legend|#FF8080|Republican — +5-7.5%}}|{{legend|#FF5555|Republican — +7.5-10%}}|{{legend|#FF2A2A|Republican — +10-12.5%}}|{{legend|#FF0000|Republican — +12.5-15%}}|{{legend|#D40000|Republican — +>15%}}
}}|[[File:2006 Minnesota gubernatorial election trend map by county.svg|300px]]|Trend by county<br />{{collapsible list| title = Legend|{{legend|#00a1c8|Democratic — +>15%}}|{{legend|#00bdec|Democratic — +12.5-15%}}|{{legend|#09ceff|Democratic — +10-12.5%}}|{{legend|#4bdbff|Democratic — +7.5-10%}}|{{legend|#77e3ff|Democratic — +5-7.5%}}|{{legend|#AAEEFF|Democratic — +2.5-5%}}|{{legend|#D5F6FF|Democratic — +0-2.5%}}|{{legend|#FFD5D5|Republican — +0-2.5%}}|{{legend|#FFAAAA|Republican — +2.5-5%}}|{{legend|#FF8080|Republican — +5-7.5%}}|{{legend|#FF5555|Republican — +7.5-10%}}|{{legend|#FF2A2A|Republican — +10-12.5%}}|{{legend|#FF0000|Republican — +12.5-15%}}|{{legend|#D40000|Republican — +>15%}}}}}}}}[[file:Minnesota gubernatorial election, 2006 Independence Party.svg|thumb|right|200px|County results for the Independence Party:
{{collapsible list
| title = Hutchinson
|{{legend0|#ffb580|<4%%}}
|{{legend0|#ff9a50|4-5%}}
|{{legend0|#ff8450|5-6%}}
|{{legend0|#ff7350|6-7%}}
|{{legend0|#d76143|7-8%}}
|{{legend0|#ae4e36|8%<}}
}}]]
{{Election box begin no change | title= Minnesota gubernatorial election, 2006<ref>{{cite web|url=http://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/Results/Governor/55?officeInElectionId=1706|title=MN Election Results|website=electionresults.sos.state.mn.us|access-date=April 6, 2018}}</ref>}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
  |party      = Republican Party of Minnesota
  |candidate  = [[Tim Pawlenty]] (incumbent)
  |votes      = 1,028,568
  |percentage = 46.69
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
  |party      = Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party
  |candidate  = [[Mike Hatch]]
  |votes      = 1,007,460
  |percentage = 45.73
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
  |party      = Independence Party of Minnesota
  |candidate  = [[Peter Hutchinson (politician)|Peter Hutchinson]]
  |votes      = 141,735
  |percentage = 6.43
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
  |party      = Green Party of Minnesota
  |candidate  = Ken Pentel
  |votes      = 10,800
  |percentage = 0.49
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
  |party      = Independent
  |candidate  = Walt E. Brown
  |votes      = 9,649
  |percentage = 0.44
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
  |party      = American Party (1969)
  |candidate  = Leslie Davis
  |votes      = 3,776
  |percentage = 0.17
}}
{{Election box write-in with party link no change
  |votes      = 949
  |percentage = 0.04
}}
{{Election box total no change
  |votes      = 2,202,937
  |percentage = 100.00
}}
{{Election box hold with party link without swing
  |winner     = Republican Party of Minnesota
  |loser      = Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party
}}
{{Election box end}}

====Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic====
*[[Blue Earth County, Minnesota|Blue Earth]] (Largest city: [[Mankato, Minnesota|Mankato]])
*[[Clay County, Minnesota|Clay]] (Largest city: [[Moorhead, Minnesota|Moorhead]])
*[[Grant County, Minnesota|Grant]] (Largest city: [[Elbow Lake, Grant County, Minnesota|Elbow Lake]])
* [[Aitkin County, Minnesota|Aitkin]] (largest city: [[Aitkin, Minnesota|Aitkin]])
* [[Pine County, Minnesota|Pine]] (largest city: [[Pine City, Minnesota|Pine City]])
*[[Rice County, Minnesota|Rice]] (largest city: [[Faribault, Minnesota|Faribault]])
*[[Winona County, Minnesota|Winona]] (largest city: [[Winona, Minnesota|Winona]])

====Counties that flipped from Independence to Republican====
*[[Dodge County, Minnesota|Dodge]] (Largest city: [[Kasson, Minnesota|Kasson]])
*[[Faribault County, Minnesota|Faribault]] (Largest city: [[Blue Earth, Minnesota|Blue Earth]])
*[[Waseca County, Minnesota|Waseca]] (Largest city: [[Waseca, Minnesota|Waseca]])
* [[Olmsted County, Minnesota|Olmsted]] (largest city: [[Rochester, Minnesota|Rochester]])

====Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican====
*[[Yellow Medicine County, Minnesota|Yellow Medicine]] (Largest city: [[Granite Falls, Minnesota|Granite Falls]])
*[[Lake of the Woods County, Minnesota|Lake of the Woods]] (Largest city: [[Baudette, Minnesota|Baudette]])

====Counties that flipped from Independence to Democratic====
*[[Fillmore County, Minnesota|Fillmore]] (largest city: [[Spring Valley, Minnesota|Spring Valley]])
*[[Freeborn County, Minnesota|Freeborn]] (largest city: [[Albert Lea, Minnesota|Albert Lea]])
*[[Mower County, Minnesota|Mower]] (largest city: [[Austin, Minnesota|Austin]])

==See also==
*[[U.S. gubernatorial elections, 2006]]
*[[List of Minnesota gubernatorial elections]]

==Notes==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
Campaign Websites (Archived)
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20060101043515/http://www.kellydoran.com/ Kelly Doran for Governor]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20061101200902/http://www.hatch2006.org/ Mike Hatch for Governor] 
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20060118035021/http://www.pamforgov.com/ Pam Ellison for Governor]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20061219000743/http://www.teammn.com/index.html Peter Hutchinson for Governor] 
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20090729073059/http://www.suejeffers.org/ Sue Jeffers for Governor]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20060127020320/http://www.kelleyforminnesota.org/ Steve Kelley for Governor]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20060101103947/http://www.beckylourey.org/ Becky Lourey for Governor]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20061026165331/http://www.timpawlenty.com/ Tim Pawlenty for Governor]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20060125010839/http://www.jonathonforgovernor.us/ Jonathon "The Impaler" Sharkey for Governor]
Other
*[http://www.e-democracy.org/wiki/Candidates_for_Governor_in_Minnesota Minnesota Governor Candidates Directory] and [http://e-democracy.org/e-debates E-Debate]- from E-Democracy.Org

{{Minnesota elections}}
{{2006 U.S. midterm elections}}
{{US Third Party Election}}

[[Category:2006 Minnesota elections|Gubernatorial]]
[[Category:Minnesota gubernatorial elections|2006]]
[[Category:2006 United States gubernatorial elections|Minnesota]]