The 2006 Iowa gubernatorial election took place November 7, 2006. The incumbent governor, Tom Vilsack, a Democrat, had served two terms and decided not to seek a third term. In the election, Chet Culver defeated Jim Nussle to win the governorship, by a margin of 54% to 44%. , this was the last time a Democrat won the governorship of Iowa. This election marks the first time Democrats won three consecutive gubernatorial elections in the state since 1966, and the only time Democrats have ever done so for four-year terms.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Won primary

Defeated in primary

Declined to run

Results

[[File:2006 Iowa gubernatorial Democratic primary county map.svg|thumb|150px|Primary results by county: Culver {{legend|#011966|Culver—71-80%}} {{legend|#0030c0|Culver—61-70%}} {{legend|#154bef|Culver—51-60%}} {{legend|#4872f1|Culver—41-50%}} {{legend|#00ffff|Culver—31-40%}} Blouin {{legend|#006400|Blouin—51-60%}} {{legend|#59d622|Blouin—41-50%}} {{legend|#90ee90|Blouin—31-40%}} Fallon {{legend|#ddde1f|Fallon—61-70%}} {{legend|#ffff00|Fallon—51-60%}} {{legend|#f2f26c|Fallon—41-50%}} ]]

Republican primary

Candidates

Withdrew

Results

Independents

Green

Libertarian

General election

The Democratic nominee, Iowa Secretary of State Chet Culver, selected Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Patty Judge as his running mate. Judge had previously run for the Democratic nomination for Governor before dropping out to run for Lieutenant Governor. The Republican nominee, U.S. Congressman Jim Nussle, selected Sioux City businessman Bob Vander Plaats as his running mate. Vander Plaats, like Judge, had previously run for his party's nomination before dropping out to run for Lieutenant Governor.

Predictions

Polling

Endorsements

Results

Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican

Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic

Candidates

Iowa Secretary of State