United States Senate election in New Mexico, 2006

The 2006 U.S. Senate election in New Mexico took place on November 7, 2006 (the primary had been held on June 6, 2006). Incumbent Senator Jeff Bingaman easily won re-election as he had a 60% approval rating. He faced no primary opposition. There had been speculation that Bingaman would give up the chance to run for another term to pursue a lobbyists' job in Washington. Instead, Bingaman, who has been in the Senate since 1983, announced he was running for a fifth term.

Republican primary

Candidates

Allen McCulloch - A urologist and former chemical engineer, won the primary on June 6, 2006. He has no previous political experience. [http://www.allen4senate.com/].
Joe Carraro - a state senator and a businessman [http://www.senatorcarraro.com/]
Francesca Lobato - an attorney and frequent candidate [http://www.infoimagination.org/lobatoforsenate/]
David Pfeffer - a Santa Fe City councilman and Vietnam War veteran, Pfeffer announced on August 23, 2005, that he would be entering the primary. A former Democrat, he supported George W. Bush in 2004 and became a Republican in 2005.

Campaign

In his campaign announcement, Pfeffer focused mainly on border controls with Mexico. He criticised Bingaman in comparison to his own support for reform of the Social Security system and the Iraq War as well as U.S. relations with China, saying "With all due respect, I do not believe the present occupier of the junior seat from New Mexico is doing all that can and should be done on these fronts," he said of Bingaman. "I believe I can do a better job..." Pfeffer also commented that he would have a hard time raising an amount equivalent to Senator Bingaman, a problem faced by any of the latter's potential challengers.

Results

McCulloch won with 52% of the vote; Carraro had 31% and Pfeffer had 17%.

General election

Results

Bingaman won every county in the state with at least 56% of the vote.