2006 Pennsylvania gubernatorial election

none January 2025 September 2023 2006 Pennsylvania gubernatorial election Pennsylvania presidential no 2002 Pennsylvania gubernatorial election 2002 2010 Pennsylvania gubernatorial election 2010 November 7, 2006 150x150px Image:Governor Rendell (169339909) (cropped).jpg Ed Rendell Catherine Baker Knoll Democratic Party (United States) 2,470,517 60.36% Image:Lynn Swann official photo (cropped).jpg Lynn Swann Jim Matthews Republican Party (United States) 1,622,135 39.64% 260px County results 260px Congressional district results 260px Precinct results 1 250px Rendell: #7996e2 50–60% #6674de 60–70% #584CDE 70–80%#3933e5 80–90% #0D0596 >90%Swann: #e27f7f 50–60% #d75d5d 60–70% #d72f30 70–80% #C21B18 80–90% #A80000 >90%Tie: #ae8bb1 50% #808080 No data Governor Ed Rendell Democratic Party (United States) Ed Rendell Democratic Party (United States) The 2006 Pennsylvania gubernatorial election was held on November 7, 2006, and included the races for the governor of Pennsylvania and lieutenant governor of Pennsylvania. Incumbent Democratic Governor Ed Rendell successfully ran for re-election. Pennsylvania's first female lieutenant governor, Catherine Baker Knoll, was also running for re-election. As of 2025, this is the most recent gubernatorial election in which the Democratic candidate has carried the following counties: Clearfield, Columbia, Elk, Mercer, Pike, Susquehanna, Warren, Washington, Wayne and Wyoming. This is the last time any statewide race in Pennsylvania resulted in a candidate getting over 60% of the vote. Background Rendell and Knoll had the advantage of incumbency, important in the swing state of Pennsylvania. Rendell's approval rating as of May 2006 was 62%.Survey USA In the 2000 Presidential election, then-Vice President Al Gore won the state 50.6%-46.4% over then-Texas Governor George W. Bush. In 2004, Senator John Kerry carried the state 50.9%-48.4% over incumbent President Bush. Although the state had voted Democratic in eight of the past 12 presidential elections, its Congressional delegation had been majority Republican for years. The counties of Philadelphia and Allegheny were the Democratic strongholds, while the central part of the state was where the Republican Party fared best. The 2005 statewide party registration had Democrats out-numbering Republicans in the state with 3,841,429 to 3,292,656, with 939,252 registered independent voters.2005 Municipal Election Democratic primary Michael Morrill, the Green Party's nominee for governor in 2002, considered challenging Rendell on a progressive liberal platform. However, on February 13, 2006, Morrill stated that he would not run, citing the toll his 2002 race had taken on his family.http://www.morrillmajority.org/ Morrill Majority 2021-06-10 2017-05-10 https://web.archive.org/web/20170510125231/http://morrillmajority.org/ dead Morrill release https://web.archive.org/web/20060322063529/http://www.politicspa.com/pressreleasedetailed.asp?id=1189 2006-03-22 Rendell thus ran unopposed. Results Democratic primary results Democratic Party (United States) Ed Rendell (incumbent) 654,985 100.00 Republican primary Candidates Declared Lynn Swann, Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Fame wide receiver and chairman of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports Withdrew Jim Panyard, former president of the Pennsylvania Manufacturers Association Jeff Piccola, majority whip of the Pennsylvania State Senate from Susquehanna Township William Scranton III, former lieutenant governor and the 1986 nominee Declined Bruce Castor, district attorney of Montgomery County and candidate for attorney general in 2004 Jane Earll, state senator from Erie County and nominee for lieutenant governor in 2002GOP Shortlist for Governor PoliticsPA The Publius Group 2002 https://web.archive.org/web/20021108103838/http://www.politicspa.com/FEATURES/ShortList06.htm http://www.politicspa.com/FEATURES/ShortList06.htm November 8, 2002 dead Melissa Hart, U.S. representative from Pittsburgh (ran for re-election) Rick Santorum, U.S. senator (ran for re-election) Mark Schweiker, former governor Pat Toomey, former U.S. representative from Allentown and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2004 Campaign Lynn Swann, Jeff Piccola, Jim Panyard and Bill Scranton III all announced their intention to run in the Republican primary for governor in 2006. Scranton, who served two terms as lieutenant governor of Pennsylvania, was the son of popular former governor William Scranton, and a member of the wealthy Scranton family, was the early front-runner. However, a series of blunders by his campaign,Inquirer.com: Philadelphia local news, sports, jobs, cars, homes http://articles.philly.com/2006-01-27/news/25411116_1_bill-scranton-campaign-manager-first-black-governor https://web.archive.org/web/20151120102827/http://articles.philly.com/2006-01-27/news/25411116_1_bill-scranton-campaign-manager-first-black-governor dead November 20, 2015 and a lack of momentum from the Piccola and Panyard campaigns, moved Swann into presumptive nominee status.Lynn Swann Goes Deep https://www.si.com/vault/2006/02/27/8370760/lynn-swann-goes-deep The state Republican party then endorsed Swann, leading the three other candidates to drop out ahead of the March deadline to file for the primary. Results Republican primary results Republican Party (United States) Lynn Swann 583,658 100.00 General election Candidates Ed Rendell, incumbent governor of Pennsylvania (Democratic)Ed Rendell's Campaign Website Lynn Swann, former Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Fame wide receiver and chairman of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports (Republican)Lynn Swann's Campaign Website Running mate: Jim Matthews, Montgomery County commissioner and brother of Chris Matthews Withdrew Marakay Rogers, attorney and 2004 attorney general nomineeGreen Party (Green) Failed to submit signatures Russ Diamond, 2005 General Assembly pay raise whistleblower (Independent)Russ Diamond's Campaign Website http://www.russdiamond.org/ dead https://web.archive.org/web/20160715194108/http://russdiamond.org/ 2016-07-15 2018-12-01 Running mate: Tom Lingenfelter, former Republican state committeeman and perennial candidate Hagan Smith, building contractor and chair of Butler County Constitution Party (Constitution)Hagan For Governor site https://web.archive.org/web/20060129012500/http://www.hagan4gov.com/index_001.htm 2006-01-29 Four candidates were campaigning for governor,Politics1: Pennsylvania but only two went on to appear on the ballot in November. Constitution candidate Hagan Smith and Independent candidate Russ Diamond were unable to secure the necessary signatures to appear on the ballot. On August 11, Green Party candidate Marakay Rogers withdrew her nominating papers, following a challenge by Pennsylvania Democrats, who alleged that more than 69,000 signatures on the petitions were fake names, unregistered voters or illegible.Green Party candidates give up http://www.dailynews.com/news/ci_4170340 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110926204547/http://www.dailynews.com/news/ci_4170340 2011-09-26 2006-08-15 Los Angeles Daily News The challenge followed a Republican drive to collect signatures to put Green candidate Carl Romanelli on the ballot in the Senate race.Green Party candidate withdrawsMay 2026 medicmedic Rogers continued to campaign, hoping that a federal appeals court would rule favorably in a lawsuit seeking to overturn the state's signature requirement for third-party candidates.Minor parties sue https://web.archive.org/web/20070930041454/http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=15911078&BRD=2212&PAG=461&dept_id=465812&rfi=6 2007-09-30 Analysis thumb|200px|right|Former Steeler Lynn Swann courts voters tailgating before a football game between Pennsylvania's two football teams, the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia EaglesRitter Kara August 2006 Ex-Steeler looks to sway support of Eagles' fans The Philadelphia Inquirer http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_kmtpi/is_200608/ai_n16967992 https://web.archive.org/web/20081206045542/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_kmtpi/is_200608/ai_n16967992 usurped December 6, 2008 In July 2005, a Zogby Poll showed Rendell with only a 47% to 41% lead over Lynn Swann. Some speculated that controversy over Act 72, proposed Medicaid cuts, and possibly even a legislative pay increase that was signed into law, had reduced the governor's popularity.Sabato Larry J. What Were They Thinking? https://centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/ljs2006041201/ Sabato's Crystal Ball Center for Politics 30 December 2025 April 12, 2006 Rendell led in other recent polls by significantly higher margins. Following that poll, Rendell's supporters pointed out that he had raised more money than his opponents,March 2010 which they felt would help him spread his message.March 2010 They also pointed out that as a sitting governor, Rendell had all the traditional advantages of an incumbent.Madonna analysis https://web.archive.org/web/20051214003402/http://www.fandm.edu/x7706.xml 2005-12-14Franklin & Marshall College (Terry Madonna) Center for Politics & Public Affairs https://web.archive.org/web/20051218202657/http://www.fandm.edu/politics.xml 2005-12-18 Swann hoped to perform strongly in the conservative "T" section of the state (the central and northern regions) and in his native western Pennsylvania area.March 2010 Swann canvassed for votes among tailgating voters in Philadelphia before the Steelers game against the Eagles. On February 7, Swann served as master of ceremonies for the Pittsburgh Steelers's Super Bowl XL victory parade before 250,000 people.A quarter-million thanks https://web.archive.org/web/20080324171425/http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_421528.html March 24, 2008 Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Polls in early February showed Swann and Rendell in a statistical tie.Rendell, Swann in dead heat https://web.archive.org/web/20080408042942/http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_422413.html 2008-04-08 Pittsburgh Tribune-Review However, Swann's momentum did not survive an effective barrage of advertising from Rendell in early spring, and he had trouble keeping up with Rendell's effective fundraising.Barnes Tom Roddy Dennis B. November 8, 2006 Rendell cruises to 2nd term as governor Pittsburgh Post-Gazette http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06312/736519-178.stm https://web.archive.org/web/20070217202953/http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06312/736519-178.stm dead February 17, 2007 Swann's focus on reform never caught traction, possibly as a result of his vocal support for Chip Brightbill and Robert Jubelirer, legislative leaders who were defeated in the May 2006 primary election.Deparle Jason May 18, 2006 G.O.P. Conservatives Topple Veteran State Lawmakers in Pennsylvania The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/18/us/18repubs.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=Brightbill&st=nyt&oref=slogin May 22, 2010 Predictions Source Ranking As of The Cook Political Report2006 Governor Race Ratings for November 6, 2006 https://cookpolitical.com/races/report_pdfs/2006_gov_ratings_nov6.pdf The Cook Political Report October 1, 2006 June 5, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080605094803/https://cookpolitical.com/races/report_pdfs/2006_gov_ratings_nov6.pdf dead Solid D November 6, 2006 Sabato's Crystal BallElection Eve 2006: THE FINAL PREDICTIONS https://centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/articles/ljs2006110601/ Sabato's Crystal Ball 6 November 2006 June 25, 2021 Likely D November 6, 2006 Rothenberg Political Report2006 Gubernatorial Ratings https://www.insideelections.com/ratings/governor/2006-gubernatorial-ratings Senate Ratings The Rothenberg Political Report June 25, 2021 Safe D November 2, 2006 Real Clear PoliticsElection 2006 https://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/writeup/election_2006-21.html Real Clear Politics June 25, 2021 Likely D November 6, 2006 Polling Poll source Date(s) administered EdRendell (D) LynnSwann (R)Temple/Inquirer PollTemple/Inquirer Poll September 24, 2006 60% 33%RasmussenRasmussen September 22, 2006 56% 36%Zogby/WSJZogby/WSJ September 11, 2006 51.6% 42.1%Zogby/WSJ August 28, 2006 48.4% 43.5%RasmussenRasmussen August 25, 2006 50% 38%Strategic VisionStrategic Vision August 17, 2006 51% 41%QuinnipiacQuinnipiac August 16, 2006 57% 38%RasmussenRasmussen July 26, 2006 50% 40%Zogby/WSJ July 24, 2006 47.5% 41.1%Strategic VisionStrategic Vision July 20, 2006 49% 36%RasmussenRasmussen June 26, 2006 50% 36%QuinnipiacQuinnipiac June 22, 2006 55% 31%Zogby/WSJ June 21, 2006 47.7% 43.4%Strategic VisionStrategic Vision June 15, 2006 49% 38%RasmussenRasmussen May 25, 2006 52% 34%QuinnipiacQuinnipiac May 12, 2006 55% 33%Strategic VisionStrategic Vision May 10, 2006 49% 41%Keystone PollKeystone Poll May 3, 2006 49% 35%RasmussenRasmussen April 29, 2006 41% 44%IssuesPA/Pew PollIssuesPA/Pew Poll April 17–26, 2006 30% 29%MuhlenbergMuhlenberg April 17–24, 2006 45% 39%Strategic VisionStrategic Vision April 13, 2006 44% 42%QuinnipiacQuinnipiac April 5, 2006 47% 37%IssuesPA/Pew PollIssuesPA/Pew Poll March 30, 2006 29% 35%RasmussenRasmussen March 28, 2006 44% 41%Strategic VisionStrategic Vision March 15, 2006 44% 44%MuhlenbergMuhlenberg May 2017 InternetArchiveBot yes March 4, 2006 46% 43%RasmussenRasmussen February 21, 2006 46% 43%QuinnipiacQuinnipiac February 15, 2006 48% 36%Keystone PollKeystone Poll February 9, 2006 45% 42%Strategic VisionStrategic Vision January 25, 2006 44% 46%RasmussenRasmussen January 19, 2006 43% 45%Strategic VisionStrategic Vision December 21, 2005 45% 41%QuinnipiacQuinnipiac December 13, 2005 48% 35%Strategic VisionStrategic Vision November 16, 2005 45% 42%RasmussenRasmussen November 7, 2005 50% 36%Strategic VisionStrategic Vision October 19, 2005 46% 41%Keystone PollKeystone Poll September 2005 53% 33%Strategic VisionStrategic Vision September 12, 2005 48% 43%Strategic VisionStrategic Vision August 2, 2005 47% 41% Rasmussen July 20, 2005 47% 41%Keystone Poll June 2005 42% 32%Keystone Poll March 2005 59% 29% Debate + 2006 Pennsylvania gubernatorial election debate No. Number Date Host Moderator Link Democratic RepublicanKey:black #90ff90  P  Participant  black #FFFFDD  A  Absent  black #ff9090  N  Not invited  black #CCFFCC  I  Invited #f0e68c W Withdrawn Ed Rendell Lynn Swann1 Oct. 4, 2006 KDKA-TVPittsburgh Post-GazettePoint Park University Ken Rice C-SPAN P P Results Pennsylvania gubernatorial election, 2006The Pennsylvania Manual, p. 7-18.The Pennsylvania Manual, p. 7-84. Democratic Party (United States) Ed Rendell (incumbent) 2,470,517 60.33 Republican Party (United States) Lynn Swann 1,622,135 39.61 2,670 0.06 4,095,322 100.00 50.05 Democratic Party (United States) Results by county Countyhttps://www.electionreturns.pa.gov/General/CountyBreakDownResults?officeId=3&districtId=1&ElectionID=15&ElectionType=G&IsActive=0&isRetention=0 2006 General Election (Official Returns) Commonwealth of Pennsylvania 1 January 2025 Ed RendellDemocratic Lynn SwannRepublican Margin Total votes cast # % # % # % Adams 13,034 43.28% 17,084 56.72% -4,050 -13.44% 30,118 Allegheny 275,227 59.92% 184,063 40.08% 91,164 19.84% 459,290 Armstrong 9,552 41.27% 13,595 58.73% -4,403 -17.46% 23,147 Beaver 35,510 54.99% 29,069 45.01% 6,441 9.98% 64,579 Bedford 6,372 38.29% 10,270 61.71% -3,898 -23.42% 16,642 Berks 66,837 57.16% 50,096 42.84% 16,741 14.32% 116,933 Blair 15,435 39.85% 23,295 60.15% -7,860 -20.30% 54,809 Bradford 8,485 44.30% 10,670 55.70% -2,185 -11.40% 19,155 Bucks 163,739 70.11% 69,798 29.89% 93,941 40.21% 233,537 Butler 24,936 39.24% 38,613 60.76% -13,677 -21.52% 63,549 Cambria 31,856 60.84% 20,506 39.16% 11,350 21.68% 52,362 Cameron 793 44.50% 989 55.50% -196 -11.00% 1,782 Carbon 10,633 60.59% 6,917 39.41% 3,176 21.18% 17,550 Centre 23,415 53.87% 20,051 46.13% 3,364 7.74% 43,466 Chester 112,960 65.15% 60,437 34.85% 52,523 30.30% 173,397 Clarion 5,451 42.07% 7,505 57.93% -2,054 -15.86% 12,956 Clearfield 12,938 50.21% 12,830 49.79% 108 0.42% 25,768 Clinton 5,464 55.73% 4,341 44.27% 1,123 11.46% 9,805 Columbia 9,281 50.55% 9,078 49.45% 203 1.10% 18,359 Crawford 11,695 41.92% 16,202 58.08% -4,507 -16.16% 27,897 Cumberland 32,737 41.48% 46,189 58.52% -13,452 -17.04% 78,926 Dauphin 39,711 45.64% 47,294 54.36% -7,853 -9.28% 87,005 Delaware 154,249 73.93% 54,043 26.07% 99,846 47.86% 208,652 Elk 6,907 60.56% 4,499 39.44% 2,408 21.12% 11,406 Erie 50,042 58.12% 36,059 41.88% 13,983 16.24% 86,101 Fayette 22,603 59.33% 15,492 40.67% 7,111 18.66% 38,095 Forest 929 46.73% 1,059 53.27% -130 -7.46% 1,988 Franklin 16,945 39.42% 26,043 60.58% -9,098 -21.16% 42,988 Fulton 1,670 38.49% 2,669 61.51% -999 -23.02% 4,339 Greene 7,055 55.44% 5,670 44.56% 1,385 10.88% 12,725 Huntingdon 5,490 40.39% 8,103 59.61% -2,613 -19.22% 13,593 Indiana 12,953 49.17% 13,390 50.83% -437 -1.67% 26,343 Jefferson 5,402 38.11% 8,774 61.89% -3,372 -23.78% 14,176 Juniata 2,748 35.49% 4,995 64.51% -2,247 -29.02% 7,743 Lackawanna 56,966 72.98% 21,905 27.02% 35,871 45.96% 78,061 Lancaster 62,934 41.79% 87,668 58.21% -24,734 -16.42% 150,602 Lawrence 17,557 55.06% 14,329 44.94% 3,228 10.12% 31,886 Lebanon 16,813 42.47% 22,775 57.53% -5,962 -15.06% 39,588 Lehigh 59,338 63.11% 34,692 36.89% 24,646 26.22% 94,030 Luzerne 64,628 67.55% 31,051 32.45% 33,577 35.10% 95,679 Lycoming 14,777 41.17% 21,116 58.83% -6,339 -17.66% 35,893 McKean 5,044 46.13% 5,890 53.87% -846 -7.74% 10,934 Mercer 19,888 52.17% 18,237 47.83% 1,651 4.34% 38,125 Mifflin 4,730 38.23% 7,642 61.77% -2,912 -23.54% 12,372 Monroe 21,430 60.36% 14,071 39.64% 7,359 20.72% 35,501 Montgomery 211,651 71.66% 83,718 28.34% 127,933 43.32% 295,369 Montour 2,764 47.47% 3,059 52.53% -295 -5.06% 5,823 Northampton 53,007 63.80% 30,081 36.20% 22,926 27.60% 83,088 Northumberland 13,470 50.62% 13,140 49.38% 330 1.24% 26,610 Perry 4,477 30.93% 9,998 69.07% -5,521 -38.14% 14,475 Philadelphia 383,339 89.39% 45,502 10.61% 337,837 78.78% 428,841 Pike 7,393 53.02% 6,551 46.98% 842 6.04% 13,944 Potter 2,035 36.78% 3,498 63.22% -1,463 -26.44% 5,533 Schuylkill 26,327 55.76% 20,886 44.24% 5,441 11.52% 47,213 Snyder 4,073 36.12% 7,203 63.88% -3,130 -27.76% 11,276 Somerset 12,499 45.41% 15,028 54.59% -2,529 -14.18% 27,527 Sullivan 1,264 49.78% 1,275 50.22% -11 -0.44% 2,539 Susquehanna 8,239 54.52% 6,874 45.48% 1,365 9.04% 15,113 Tioga 5,126 41.02% 7,370 58.98% -2,244 -17.96% 12,496 Union 5,006 43.50% 6,503 56.50% -1,497 -13.00% 11,509 Venango 7,906 44.80% 9,742 55.20% -1,836 -10.40% 17,648 Warren 7,278 55.46% 5,846 44.54% 1,432 10.92% 13,124 Washington 38,422 52.73% 34,440 47.27% 3,982 5.46% 72,862 Wayne 8,143 51.61% 7,635 48.38% 508 3.23% 15,778 Westmoreland 60,145 46.27% 69,854 53.73% -9,709 -7.46% 129,999 Wyoming 5,518 53.87% 4,726 46.13% 792 7.74% 10,244 York 55,276 43.92% 70,592 56.08% -15,316 -12.16% 125,868Totals2,470,51760.36%1,622,13539.64%848,38220.72%4,092,652 Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic Cambria (largest municipality: Johnstown) Clinton (largest city: Lock Haven) Clearfield (largest city: DuBois) Columbia (largest city: Bloomsburg) Elk (largest city: St. Marys) Mercer (largest municipality: Hermitage) Centre (largest municipality: State College) Erie (largest municipality: Erie) Monroe (largest borough: Stroudsburg) Northumberland (largest borough: Sunbury) Pike (largest municipality: Matamoras) Susquehanna (largest municipality: Forest City) Wayne (largest municipality: Honesdale) Wyoming (largest municipality: Tunkhannock) Warren (largest city: Warren) right 260px Swing by county 260px Trend relative to the state by county Legend #d40000 Republican — >15% #ff0000 Republican — +12.5−15% #ff2a2a Republican — +10−12.5% #ff5555 Republican — +7.5−10% #ff8080 Republican — +5−7.5% #ffaaaa Republican — +2.5−5% #ffd5d5 Republican — +0−2.5% #d5f6ff Democratic — +0−2.5% #aaeeff Democratic — +2.5−5% #77e3ff Democratic — +5−7.5% #4bdbff Democratic — +7.5-10% #09ceff Democratic — +10−12.5% #00bdec Democratic — +12.5−15% #00a1c8 Democratic — >15% 260px County flips Legend Democratic #92c5de Hold #0671b0 Flip Republican #f48882 Hold See also 2006 United States Senate election in Pennsylvania 2006 United States gubernatorial elections 2005 Pennsylvania General Assembly pay raise controversy References 2 Sources Trostle Sharon The Pennsylvania Manual 2007 118 Pennsylvania Department of General Services Harrisburg 978-0-8182-0318-3 External links Campaign websites (archived) Ed Rendell Lynn Swann 2006 Gubernatorial Category:2006 United States gubernatorial elections