2006 United States Senate election in Wyoming
November 7, 2006
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Thomas: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% >90% Groutage: 50–60% 60–70% Tie: 50% No votes | |||||||||||||||||
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| Elections in Wyoming |
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The 2006 United States Senate election in Wyoming was held November 7, 2006, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the state of Wyoming. Primary elections were held on August 22, 2006, in which incumbent Republican U.S. Senator and Democrat Dale Groutage won unopposed.
Incumbent U.S. Senator Thomas won re-election to a third term but died of leukemia on June 4, 2007.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Dale Groutage, engineer
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Dale Groutage | 24,924 | 100.00 | |
| Total votes | 24,924 | 100.00 | ||
Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Craig Thomas, incumbent U.S. Senator (1995-2007)
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Craig Thomas (incumbent) | 78,211 | 100.00 | |
| Total votes | 78,211 | 100.00 | ||
Background
In 2006, Thomas maintained 68% favorability and was largely expected to win reelection due to Wyoming's red lean at the federal level.[3]
General election
Candidates
- Dale Groutage (D), engineer
- Craig Thomas (R), incumbent U.S. Senator
Campaign
Despite Thomas's significant lead in the polls, Thomas agreed to a debate. An October debate was sponsored by the Casper Star-Tribune and KCWY in Casper. Thomas said the nation has made progress in its energy policy, while Groutage said the nation's energy policy has failed because Congress has done more for special interests than the people.[4]
Debates
- Complete video of debate, October 22, 2006
Predictions
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| The Cook Political Report[5] | Solid R | November 6, 2006 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[6] | Safe R | November 6, 2006 |
| Rothenberg Political Report[7] | Safe R | November 6, 2006 |
| Real Clear Politics[8] | Safe R | November 6, 2006 |
Polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Craig Thomas (R) |
Dale Groutage (D) |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aspen Media & Market Research[9] | October 18–25, 2006 | –
(LV) |
± 4.0% | 70% | 22% | 1%[b] | 7% |
| Mason-Dixon Polling & Strategy[9] | October 9–12, 2006 | 425 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 67% | 26% | – | 7% |
| Rasmussen Reports[10] | July 6, 2006 | 500 (LV) | ± 4.5% | 59% | 32% | – | 9% |
| Rasmussen Reports[11] | May 8, 2006 | 500 (LV) | ± 4.5% | 64% | 25% | – | 11% |
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Craig L. Thomas (incumbent) | 135,174 | 69.99% | −3.78% | |
| Democratic | Dale Groutage | 57,671 | 29.86% | +7.82% | |
| Write-ins | 291 | 0.15% | |||
| Majority | 77,503 | 40.13% | −11.61% | ||
| Turnout | 193,136 | ||||
| Republican hold | Swing | ||||
Notes
See also
References
- ^ "Results" (PDF). soswy.state.wy.us. Retrieved May 8, 2021.
- ^ "Results" (PDF). soswy.state.wy.us. Retrieved May 8, 2021.
- ^ "WYOMING SURVEY of 500 likely voters". Rasmussen Reports. July 6, 2006. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved June 13, 2010.
- ^ Candidates face off for first time – Wyoming Tribune Eagle Online
- ^ "2006 Senate Race Ratings for November 6, 2006" (PDF). The Cook Political Report. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 5, 2008. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
- ^ "Election Eve 2006: THE FINAL PREDICTIONS". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
- ^ "2006 Senate Ratings". Senate Ratings. The Rothenberg Political Report. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
- ^ "Election 2006". Real Clear Politics. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
- ^ a b "New poll: Thomas keeps big lead over Groutage". Casper Star Tribune. October 30, 2006. Archived from the original on May 3, 2025. Retrieved February 14, 2026.
- ^ "Wyoming: No Party Swap Seen". Rasmussen Reports. July 20, 2006. Archived from the original on August 27, 2006. Retrieved February 14, 2006.
- ^ "Wyoming House Seat in Play". Rasmussen Reports. May 8, 2006. Archived from the original on May 18, 2006. Retrieved February 14, 2006.
- ^ "Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives". Clerk.house.gov. Retrieved May 8, 2021.
External links
Official campaign websites (archived)