2006 United States Senate election in Wyoming explained

The 2006 United States Senate election in Wyoming was held November 7, 2006. The primaries were on August 22, 2006, in which both incumbent Republican Craig Thomas and his Democratic challenger were unopposed. Thomas won re-election to a third term, but died of leukemia on June 4, 2007; fellow Republican John Barrasso was subsequently appointed and has held the seat since.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Dale Groutage, engineer

Results

Republican primary

Candidates

• Craig Thomas, incumbent U.S. Senator

Results

General election

Candidates

• Dale Groutage (D), engineer
• Craig Thomas (R), incumbent U.S. Senator

Campaign

Thomas was a very popular two term incumbent, having a 68% approval rating.^[1] Despite doing very well 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.^[2]

Debates

• Complete video of debate, October 22, 2006

Predictions

Source	Ranking	As of
align=left	The Cook Political Report[3]		November 6, 2006
align=left	Sabato's Crystal Ball[4]		November 6, 2006
align=left	Rothenberg Political Report[5]		November 6, 2006
align=left	Real Clear Politics[6]		November 6, 2006

Polling

Source	Date	Thomas (R)	Groutage (D)
Rasmussen[7]	May 8, 2006		64%	25%
Rasmussen[8]	July 20, 2006		59%	32%
Mason-Dixon[9]	October 16, 2006		67%	26%
Aspen Media & Market Research[10]	October 18, 2006		70%	22%

Results

Thomas won at least 56% of the vote in every county in Wyoming.

See also

• 2006 United States Senate elections

Notes and References

1. Web site: Archived copy . June 13, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160303182825/http://legacy.rasmussenreports.com/MembersOnly/2006%20State%20Polls/July%202006/WY_070606%20Toplines.htm . March 3, 2016 . dead .
2. https://archive.today/20130210000800/http://www.wyomingnews.com/articles/2006/10/16/election_2006/races/united_states/house_of_representatives/ushouse273.txt Candidates face off for first time – Wyoming Tribune Eagle Online
3. Web site: 2006 Senate Race Ratings for November 6, 2006 . The Cook Political Report . https://web.archive.org/web/20080605093937/https://cookpolitical.com/races/report_pdfs/2006_sen_ratings_nov6.pdf . September 30, 2021. June 5, 2008 .
4. Web site: Election Eve 2006: THE FINAL PREDICTIONS . Sabato's Crystal Ball . June 25, 2021.
5. Web site: 2006 Senate Ratings . Senate Ratings . The Rothenberg Political Report . June 25, 2021.
6. Web site: Election 2006 . Real Clear Politics . June 25, 2021.
7. https://web.archive.org/web/20060518051932/http://www.rasmussenreports.com/2006/State%20Polls/April%202006/Wyoming%20April.htm Rasmussen
8. https://web.archive.org/web/20060827193255/http://www.rasmussenreports.com/2006/State%20Polls/July%202006/wyGovSenate.htm Rasmussen
9. http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2006/10/16/news/wyoming/45-poll.txt Mason-Dixon
10. http://trib.com/news/state-and-regional/article_d723cfe2-f4ac-5a92-a8f5-0c1e0c8d582d.html Aspen Media & Market Research