2006 United States House of Representatives elections in Tennessee

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2006 United States House of Representatives elections in Tennessee
Flag of Tennessee.svg
  2004 November 7, 2006 (2006-11-07) 2008  

All 9 Tennessee seats to the United States House of Representatives
Turnout49.97% Decrease2.svg [1] 16.35 pp
 Majority partyMinority party
 
Party Democratic Republican
Last election54
Seats won54
Seat changeSteady2.svgSteady2.svg
Popular vote860,861799,547
Percentage50.18%46.61%
SwingIncrease2.svg 3.67%Decrease2.svg 5.71%

2004-2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Tennessee by winner.svg
2006 Tennessee United States House of Representatives election by Congressional District.svg
2006 United States House of Representatives elections in Tennessee by county.svg
     Democratic hold
     Republican hold

The 2006 congressional elections in Tennessee was held on November 7, 2006, to determine who will represent the state of Tennessee in the United States House of Representatives.

Contents

Following the 2006 elections, no seats changed hands, leaving the Tennessee delegation at a 5-4 Democratic majority.

Overview

United States House of Representatives elections in Tennessee, 2006 [2]
PartyVotesPercentageSeats+/–
Democratic 860,86150.18%5
Republican 799,54746.61%4
Independents55,0183.21%0
Totals1,715,426100.00%9

(There was 6 Write-in votes that were added to the statewide total number of votes).

Popular vote
Democratic
50.18%
Republican
46.61%
Other
3.21%
House seats
Democratic
55.56%
Republican
44.44%

By district

DistrictIncumbentResultsCandidates
District2004 CPVIRepresentativePartyFirst
elected
Tennessee 1 R+14 Bill Jenkins Republican 1996 Incumbent retired.
New member elected.
Republican hold.
  • Green check.svgY David Davis (Republican) 61.1%
  • Rick Trent (Democratic) 36.9%
Others
  • Bob Smith (Green) 0.6%
  • James Reeves (Independent) 0.6%
  • Michael Peavler (Independent) 0.5%
  • Michael Sabri (Independent) 0.2%
Tennessee 2 R+11 Jimmy Duncan Republican 1998 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green check.svgY Jimmy Duncan (Republican) 77.7%
  • John Greene (Democratic) 22.3%
Tennessee 3 R+8 Zach Wamp Republican 1994 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green check.svgY Zach Wamp (Republican) 65.7%
  • Brent Benedict (Democratic) 34.3%
Tennessee 4 R+3 Lincoln Davis Democratic 2002 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green check.svgY Lincoln Davis (Democratic) 67.5%
  • Kenneth Martin (Republican) 32.5%
Tennessee 5 D+6 Jim Cooper Democratic 1982
1994 (retired)
2002
Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green check.svgY Jim Cooper (Democratic) 68.9%
  • Tom Kovach (Republican) 28.0%
  • Virginia Welsch (Independent) 2.1%
  • Scott Knapp (Independent) 1.0%
Tennessee 6 R+4 Bart Gordon Democratic 1984 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green check.svgY Bart Gordon (Democratic) 67.1%
  • Randy Stamps (Republican) 31.4%
  • Robert Garrison (Independent) 1.1%
  • Norman Saliba (Independent) 0.5%
Tennessee 7 R+12 Marsha Blackburn Republican 2002 Incumbent re-elected.
Others
  • Katey Culver (Green) 0.8%
  • James White (Independent) 0.4%
  • William Smith (Independent) 0.4%
  • John L. Rimer (Independent) 0.3%
  • Gayl Pratt (Independent) 0.3%
Tennessee 8 EVEN John Tanner Democratic 1988 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green check.svgY John Tanner (Democratic) 73.2%
  • John Farmer (Republican) 26.8%
Tennessee 9 D+18 Harold Ford Jr. Democratic 1996 Incumbent retired to run for U.S. Senator.
New member elected.
Democratic hold.

District 1

TN01 109.gif

Incumbent Republican Congressman Bill Jenkins, approaching his seventieth birthday, declined to seek a sixth term in order to spend more time with his family, creating an open seat. This staunchly conservative district, based in northeastern Tennessee, has been held by Republicans since 1881, one of the longest streaks out of any district nationwide. Republican State Representative David Davis won a narrow victory in the Republican primary and moved on to the general election, where he defeated Democratic candidate Rick Trent, a real estate businessman, and several independent candidates by a solid, but smaller margin than is normally seen in this district.

Predictions

SourceRankingAs of
The Cook Political Report [3] Safe RNovember 6, 2006
Rothenberg [4] Safe RNovember 6, 2006
Sabato's Crystal Ball [5] Safe RNovember 6, 2006
Real Clear Politics [6] Safe RNovember 7, 2006
CQ Politics [7] Safe RNovember 7, 2006
Tennessee's 1st congressional district election, 2006
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican David Davis 108,336 61.11
Democratic Rick Trent65,53836.97
Independent Robert N. Smith1,0240.58
Independent James W. Reeves1,0030.57
Independent Michael Peavler9660.54
Independent Michael Sabri4110.23
Total votes177,278 100.00
Republican hold

District 2

TN02 109.gif

Incumbent Republican Congressman Jimmy Duncan, seeking a tenth term, faced no serious competition from two-time congressional candidate John Greene. This congressional district, based largely in the Knoxville Metropolitan Area, has been continuously held by the Republican Party since 1867 and has a long history of staunch conservatism. Duncan defeated Greene in an overwhelming landslide, as expected, winning another term in Congress.

Predictions

SourceRankingAs of
The Cook Political Report [3] Safe RNovember 6, 2006
Rothenberg [4] Safe RNovember 6, 2006
Sabato's Crystal Ball [5] Safe RNovember 6, 2006
Real Clear Politics [6] Safe RNovember 7, 2006
CQ Politics [7] Safe RNovember 7, 2006
Tennessee's 2nd congressional district election, 2006
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Jimmy Duncan (inc.) 157,095 77.72
Democratic John Greene45,02522.28
Total votes202,120 100.00
Republican hold

District 3

TN03 109.gif

This gerrymandered district, which stretches from the Chattanooga metropolitan area in southern Tennessee to Claiborne County in northern Tennessee, is strongly conservative and has been represented by Republican Congressman Zach Wamp since his initial 1994 election. Seeking a seventh term, Wamp easily dispatched Democratic nominee Brent Benedict to win re-election.

Predictions

SourceRankingAs of
The Cook Political Report [3] Safe RNovember 6, 2006
Rothenberg [4] Safe RNovember 6, 2006
Sabato's Crystal Ball [5] Safe RNovember 6, 2006
Real Clear Politics [6] Safe RNovember 7, 2006
CQ Politics [7] Safe RNovember 7, 2006
Tennessee's 3rd congressional district election, 2006
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Zach Wamp (inc.) 130,791 65.69
Democratic Brent Benedict68,32434.31
Total votes199,115 100.00
Republican hold

District 4

2006 Tennessee's 4th congressional district election
Flag of Tennessee.svg
  2004
2008  
  Lincoln Davis, official Congressional photo portrait.jpg 3x4.svg
Nominee Lincoln Davis Kenneth Martin
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote123,66662,449
Percentage66.45%33.55%

2006 TN-4 Election Results.svg
County results
Davis:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%
Martin:      50–60%

U.S. Representative before election

Lincoln Davis
Democratic

Elected U.S. Representative

Lincoln Davis
Democratic

TN04 109.gif

Incumbent Democratic Congressman Lincoln Davis has represented this district since his 2002 election, claiming the seat that Van Hilleary vacated to run for Governor of Tennessee. Though this district has become more conservative in recent years, it has a long history of electing Democratic Congressmen, including Jim Cooper, Al Gore, and Albert Gore, Sr. It stretches from the outer reaches of the Nashville metropolitan area, hugs much of the southern Tennessee border, and shoots upwards to Campbell County in northern Tennessee. Davis ultimately defeated Republican candidate Kenneth Martin in a landslide win to seize a third term in Congress.

Predictions

SourceRankingAs of
The Cook Political Report [3] Safe DNovember 6, 2006
Rothenberg [4] Safe DNovember 6, 2006
Sabato's Crystal Ball [5] Safe DNovember 6, 2006
Real Clear Politics [6] Safe DNovember 7, 2006
CQ Politics [7] Safe DNovember 7, 2006
Tennessee's 4th congressional district election, 2006
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Lincoln Davis (inc.) 123,666 66.45
Republican Kenneth Martin62,44933.55
Total votes186,115 100.00
Democratic hold

District 5

TN05 109.gif

This Democratic-leaning district, largely based in the city of Nashville, has been represented by Democratic Congressman Jim Cooper since 2002, though he had previously represented an adjacent district from 1983 to 1995. True to the district's liberal tilt, Cooper swamped Republican nominee Thomas Kovach and independent candidate Ginny Welsch to win a third term in Congress.

Predictions

SourceRankingAs of
The Cook Political Report [3] Safe DNovember 6, 2006
Rothenberg [4] Safe DNovember 6, 2006
Sabato's Crystal Ball [5] Safe DNovember 6, 2006
Real Clear Politics [6] Safe DNovember 7, 2006
CQ Politics [7] Safe DNovember 7, 2006
Tennessee's 5th congressional district election, 2006
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Jim Cooper (inc.) 122,919 69.00
Republican Thomas F. Kovach49,70227.90
Independent Ginny Welsch3,7662.11
Independent Scott Knapp1,7550.99
Total votes178,142 100.00
Democratic hold

District 6

TN06 109.gif

Incumbent Democratic Congressman Bart Gordon, a high-ranking member on the House Science and Technology Committee, sought a twelfth term in this increasingly conservative district based in the eastern suburbs of Nashville. In a testament to Gordon's moderate tenure, his widespread popularity, and the Democratic wave sweeping the country in 2006, Gordon was re-elected again with nearly seventy percent of the vote.

Endorsements

Individuals

Predictions

SourceRankingAs of
The Cook Political Report [3] Safe DNovember 6, 2006
Rothenberg [4] Safe DNovember 6, 2006
Sabato's Crystal Ball [5] Safe DNovember 6, 2006
Real Clear Politics [6] Safe DNovember 7, 2006
CQ Politics [7] Safe DNovember 7, 2006
Tennessee's 6th congressional district election, 2006
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Bart Gordon (inc.) 129,069 67.09
Republican David R. Davis60,39231.39
Independent Robert L. Garrison2,0351.06
Independent Norman R. Saliba8840.46
Total votes192,380 100.00
Democratic hold

District 7

TN07 109.gif

This staunchly conservative district, which stretches from the western suburbs of Memphis, runs along the southern border of Tennessee, and hugs the western suburbs of Nashville, is the state's wealthiest. Incumbent Republican Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn has represented this district since her election in 2002, replacing Republican Congressman Ed Bryant, who opted to run for Senate. Blackburn was victorious in her bid for a third term, defeating Democratic nominee Bill Morrison and five independents in a landslide.

Predictions

SourceRankingAs of
The Cook Political Report [3] Safe RNovember 6, 2006
Rothenberg [4] Safe RNovember 6, 2006
Sabato's Crystal Ball [5] Safe RNovember 6, 2006
Real Clear Politics [6] Safe RNovember 7, 2006
CQ Politics [7] Safe RNovember 7, 2006
Tennessee's 7th congressional district election, 2006
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Marsha Blackburn (inc.) 152,288 66.05
Democratic Bill Morrison73,36931.82
Independent Kathleen A. Culver1,8060.78
Independent Mickey White8980.39
Independent William J. Smith8480.37
Independent John L. Rimer7100.31
Independent Gayl G. Pratt6630.29
Total votes230,582 100.00
Republican hold

District 8

2006 Tennessee's 8th congressional district election
Flag of Tennessee.svg
  2004
2008  
  John S. Tanner.jpg 3x4.svg
Nominee John S. Tanner John Farmer
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote129,61047,492
Percentage73.2%26.8%

2006 Tennessee 8th Election Results.svg
County results
Tanner:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90%

U.S. Representative before election

John S. Tanner
Democratic

Elected U.S. Representative

John S. Tanner
Democratic

TN08 109.gif

This Republican-leaning district, rooted in the northwestern portion of the state, has been represented by moderate Democratic Congressman John S. Tanner since 1989. Tanner ran for re-election to a ninth term, and easily defeated Republican candidate John Farmer, carrying every county.

Predictions

SourceRankingAs of
The Cook Political Report [3] Safe DNovember 6, 2006
Rothenberg [4] Safe DNovember 6, 2006
Sabato's Crystal Ball [5] Safe DNovember 6, 2006
Real Clear Politics [6] Safe DNovember 7, 2006
CQ Politics [7] Safe DNovember 7, 2006
Tennessee's 8th congressional district election, 2006
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic John S. Tanner (inc.) 129,610 73.18
Republican John Farmer47,49226.82
Write-ins60.00
Total votes178,142 100.00
Democratic hold

District 9

TN09 109.gif

Campaign

This district, based exclusively within the city of Memphis, has the distinction of being the state's most liberal district, the only district contained within one county, and Tennessee's only African-American majority district. Incumbent Democratic Congressman Harold Ford, Jr. opted to run for Senate rather than seeking a sixth term, creating an open seat. Democratic State Senator Steve Cohen won the Democratic primary to replace Ford with a slight plurality, which is tantamount to election in this district. Cohen faced Republican nominee Mark White and Jake Ford, the younger brother of Harold Ford, Jr. Cohen defeated both opponents by a solid margin, and held the distinction of being white and representing a solidly African-American district, a rarity.

Endorsements

Steve Cohen (D)

Local officials

Jake Ford (I)

Federal officials

Predictions

SourceRankingAs of
The Cook Political Report [3] Safe DNovember 6, 2006
Rothenberg [4] Safe DNovember 6, 2006
Sabato's Crystal Ball [5] Safe DNovember 6, 2006
Real Clear Politics [6] Safe DNovember 7, 2006
CQ Politics [7] Safe DNovember 7, 2006

Results

Tennessee's 9th congressional district election, 2006
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Steve Cohen 103,341 59.88
Independent Jake Ford38,24322.16
Republican Mark White 31,00217.96
Total votes172,586 100.00
Democratic hold

See also

References

  1. "Tennessee Voter Turnout in 2006". Tennessee Secretary of State. November 7, 2006. Retrieved February 28, 2023.
  2. "Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives".
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "2006 Competitive House Race Chart" (PDF). House: Race Ratings. Cook Political Report. November 6, 2006. Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "2006 House Ratings". House Ratings. The Rothenberg Political Report. November 6, 2006. Archived from the original on November 7, 2006. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "2006 House". Sabato's Crystal Ball. November 6, 2006. Archived from the original on November 10, 2006. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Battle for the House of Representatives". realclearpolitics.com. Real Clear Politics. November 7, 2006. Archived from the original on November 9, 2006. Retrieved December 12, 2023.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Balance of Power Scorecard: House". cqpolitics.com. Congressional Quarterly Inc. Archived from the original on November 17, 2006. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
  8. "Bill Morrison (TN-07) | WesPAC". November 4, 2006. Archived from the original on November 4, 2006. Retrieved April 8, 2023.
  9. 1 2 3 Kapochunas, Rachel (November 11, 2006). "On Their Way: Cohen Rises Above Ford Family Drama in Tenn. 9". The New York Times. Retrieved August 15, 2022.