2006 United States Senate election in Rhode Island

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The 2006 United States Senate election in Rhode Island was held on November 7, 2006. Republican incumbent Lincoln Chafee sought re-election to a third term in office but was defeated by former Rhode Island attorney general Sheldon Whitehouse. Primary elections were held on September 12. Chafee, who faced criticism from Republican activists for his liberal positions on the issues, survived a challenge from Cranston mayor Steve Laffey, who ran as an anti-tax conservative. Many Republicans supported Chafee over electability concerns, believing that he would be more likely to hold the seat in the November election. In the Democratic primary, Whitehouse easily defeated more progressive challengers after secretary of state Matt Brown withdrew from the race. Along with Maine and Pennsylvania, this was one of the three Republican-held Senate seats up for election in a state that John Kerry won in the 2004 presidential election. After the primaries, Whitehouse consistently led in public opinion...

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