2006 Alaska gubernatorial election


The 2006 Alaska gubernatorial general election took place on November 7, 2006. Former Wasilla Mayor Sarah Palin defeated incumbent Governor Frank Murkowski in the Republican primary, and then went on to defeat Democratic former Governor Tony Knowles and independent Andrew Halcro in the general election. Palin became the first governor of the state to be born after Alaskan statehood.
Palin would later become the unsuccessful Republican vice presidential nominee in the 2008 United States presidential election before resigning as governor in 2009.

Republican primary

Candidates

Incumbent Frank Murkowski, first elected governor in 2002, ran for reelection but was defeated in a landslide in the Republican primary by former Wasilla mayor Sarah Palin on August 22, 2006. Murkowski's approval rating at the time of the election was 19%.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Former two-term Governor Tony Knowles and state lawmaker Eric Croft competed for the Democratic ticket for governor. Knowles had a substantial lead over Croft, both at the polls and with fundraising.

General election

Candidates