A Regional Analysis of the 2006 Midterms

Abstract

For only the sixth time since 1900, control of both the House and Senate switched during a midterm cycle in the 2006 congressional elections. Although the magnitude of the changes was not as great as 1994, the results from 2006 more fully aligned the two parties' control of Congress with their presidential performance in the Electoral College. Democrats now dominate the Northeast in the same way Republicans dominate the South. For the first time in decades, Democrats will govern as a solidly non-Southern party. At the same time, Republicans face the challenge of overcoming the perils of regional over-representation and a drift to the right, as suggested by the recent comeback of Mississippi Senator Trent Lott. In coming cycles, election battles will focus most fiercely on the 20 competitive Midwest and Interior West states.

Recommended Citation

Klinkner, Philip A. and Schaller, Thomas F. (2006) "A Regional Analysis of the 2006 Midterms," The Forum: Vol. 4 : Iss. 3, Article 9.
DOI: 10.2202/1540-8884.1143
Available at: http://www.bepress.com/forum/vol4/iss3/art9