2006 California gubernatorial election
Template:Future election The 2006 California gubernatorial election is scheduled to occur on November 7 2006. The primary election took place on June 6 2006. Under the California Constitution, the Governor serves a four-year term, with a maximum limit of two terms. Incumbent Republican Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger was elected during the 2003 California recall and served out the remainder of Gray Davis' term; he is seeking a second term.
Schwarzenegger's decision to call the 2005 special election, as well as his propositions dealing with teachers' and nurses' unions and other political missteps, have brought his approval rating down to 39% as of April 2006 [1], making many Democrats optimistic about their chances of ousting him from office. Recently he has come under fire from both conservatives, for supporting several taxes on Californians, and from liberals, for refusing to sign a bill allowing gay marriage. Yet, recent polls have had Schwarzenegger either leading or within five percentage points of his two most-likely Democratic opponents.
Governor Schwarzenegger faced token opposition in the primary, and won the Republican nomination. California State Treasurer Phil Angelides won the Democratic primary and will face him in November
Regarding the Democratic nomination, the two front-runners were Angelides and Westly. (see below) Angelides has reported a recent increase in support for his campaign and has gained union support and support from the core liberal constituency.
Angelides has been charged with been a polluter when he was a real-estate developer in campaign ads.
Candidates
General Election
- Phil Angelides - California State Treasurer, Ex-State Democratic Chair & Developer
- Arnold Schwarzenegger - Actor, Businessman and Incumbent Governor of California
- Peter Camejo (Green) - 2002/2003 Green Party gubernatorial candidate, 2004 independent vice presidential candidate (Ralph Nader's running mate)
- George Fellows (Independent) - California State Budget Analyst
- Janice Jordan (Peace and Freedom) - 2004 Peace and Freedom Party vice presidential candidate (Leonard Peltier's running mate)
- Edward Noonan (American Independent) - Computer Shop Owner
- Art Olivier (Libertarian) - former mayor of Bellflower, 2000 Libertarian Party vice presidential candidate (Harry Browne's running mate)
Primary Election
Democrats
- Phil Angelides - California State Treasurer, Ex-State Democratic Chair & Developer
- Barbara Becnel - Executive Director, Neighborhood House of North Richmond and Founder, Save Stanley Tookie Williams campaign
- Joe Brouilette - High School Teacher
- Edie Bukewihge - Homemaker, Publisher & Frequent Candidate
- Jerald Gerst - Physician
- Vibert Greene - Engineer
- Frank Macaluso - Medical Doctor
- Michael Strimling - Attorney [ www.michaelstrimling.com ]
- Steve Westly - California State Controller & Ex-Internet Executive
Republicans
- Jeffrey Burns - General Contractor
- Bill Chambers - Railroad Switchman
- Robert C. Newman II - Psychologist & Farmer
- Arnold Schwarzenegger - Actor, Businessman and Incumbent Governor of California
Independents/Minor parties
- Peter Camejo (Green) - 2002/2003 Green Party gubernatorial candidate, 2004 independent vice presidential candidate (Ralph Nader's running mate)
- George Fellows (Independent) - California State Budget Analyst
- Janice Jordan (Peace and Freedom) - 2004 Peace and Freedom Party vice presidential candidate (Leonard Peltier's running mate)
- Edward Noonan (American Independent) - Computer Shop Owner
- Art Olivier (Libertarian) - former mayor of Bellflower, 2000 Libertarian Party vice presidential candidate (Harry Browne's running mate)
Primary Election
Republican Schwarzenegger faced token opposition and won overwhelmingly in the Primary held on June 6, 2006
Regarding the Democratic nomination, the two front-runners were Angelides and Westly.
A pre-election poll had Westly leading Angelides by six percentage points [2]. The Field Poll conducted on April 17, 2006 shows that both Democratic candidates have low recognition factors amongst the state's electorate, with only 45% having any opinion on Angelides and 40% for Westly. Of registered Democrats surveyed, 59% say they don't know enough about Angelides to have any opinion about him, with 58% saying the same for Westly [3].
As of May 27 2006, the Los Angeles Times reported that the race for the Democratic nomination was a virtual tie, with Angelides leading Westly by three percentage points (37%-34%), all within the 3% margin of error. Unusually, 28% of Democratic voters are undecided, and both candidates are trying to earn the undecided vote.
Angelides has reported a recent increase in support for his campaign and has gained union support and support from the core liberal constituency, while many registered Democrats believe that Westly has a greater chance of winning against incumbent governor Schwarzenegger and feel that he has a slightly "more positive" image [4]. In the end, Angelides won 47.9% of the vote to Westly's 43.4% [5].
The period for candidate nominations closed on March 24, 2006 [6].
Opinion polls
General election
Schwarzenegger v Angelides
| Source | Date | Schwarzenegger (R) | Angelides (D) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Field Poll | June 2 2006 | 46% | 39% |
| LA Times Poll | May 28 2006 | 45% | 46% |
| Public Policy Institute of California | May 25 2006 | 38% | 38% |
| Rasmussen | May 23 2006 | 45% | 45% |
| LA Times Poll | April 29 2006 | 43% | 43% |
| Rasmussen | April 17 2006 | 49% | 36% |
| Field Poll | April 14 2006 | 44% | 40% |
| Public Policy Institute of California | March 30 2006 | 41% | 29% |
| Rasmussen | March 23 2006 | 44% | 45% |
| Field Poll | March 2 2006 | 39% | 39% |
| Rasmussen | February 13 2006 | 40% | 41% |
| Field Poll | February 2 2006 | 52% | 35% |
| Rasmussen | January 25 2006 | 39% | 41% |
| Rasmussen | December 16 2005 | 40% | 44% |
| Field Poll | November 3 2005 | 41% | 47% |
| Field Poll | August 29 2005 | 40% | 43% |
| Field Poll | June 13 2005 | 42% | 46% |
Democratic primary
| Source | Date | Westly | Angelides |
|---|---|---|---|
| Survey USA | June 5 2006 | 36% | 44% |
| Survey USA | June 2 2006 | 37% | 41% |
| Field Poll | June 2 2006 | 35% | 34% |
| LA Times Poll | May 27 2006 | 34% | 37% |
| Survey USA | May 25 2006 | 32% | 44% |
| Public Policy Institute of California | May 25 2006 | 32% | 35% |
| Survey USA | May 8 2006 | 31% | 41% |
| LA Times Poll | April 29 2006 | 33% | 20% |
| Public Policy Institute of California | April 27 2006 | 26% | 20% |
| Field Poll | April 17 2006 | 37% | 26% |
| Public Policy Institute of California | March 30 2006 | 23% | 22% |
Schwarzenegger v Westly
| Source | Date | Schwarzenegger (R) | Westly (D) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Field Poll | June 2 2006 | 44% | 42% |
| LA Times Poll | May 28 2006 | 40% | 50% |
| Public Policy Institute of California | May 25 2006 | 36% | 36% |
| Rasmussen | May 23 2006 | 44% | 46% |
| LA Times Poll | April 29 2006 | 39% | 48% |
| Rasmussen | April 17 2006 | 48% | 40% |
| Field Poll | April 14 2006 | 43% | 43% |
| Public Policy Institute of California | March 30 2006 | 39% | 31% |
| Rasmussen | March 23 2006 | 44% | 45% |
| Field Poll | March 2 2006 | 37% | 41% |
| Rasmussen | February 13 2006 | 39% | 34% |
| Field Poll | February 2 2006 | 52% | 33% |
| Rasmussen | January 25 2006 | 39% | 40% |
| Rasmussen | December 16 2005 | 39% | 46% |
| Field Poll | November 3 2005 | 40% | 46% |
| Field Poll | August 29 2005 | 39% | 42% |
| Field Poll | June 13 2005 | 40% | 44% |