2006Final results
2006 election for Texas Governor
Governor · Texas
Rick Perry (R) won with 39.0% of the vote, defeating Chris Bell (D) by 9.2 points.
Rick PerryRepublican · winner
39.0%1,716,803
Chris BellDemocrat
29.8%1,310,353
Carole Keeton StrayhornIndependent
18.1%797,577
Richard "Kinky" FriedmanIndependent
12.4%546,869
James WernerLibertarian
0.6%26,748
James "Patriot" DillonOther party
0.0%718
4,399,068 votes
Source: English WikipediaUpdated Oct 5, 2026, 4:05 AM ET
The seat over time
D − R margin in this seat's races around 2006
Races before and after
Source: English WikipediaUpdated Oct 5, 2026, 4:05 AM ET
The candidates
Rick Perry (R)Chris Bell (D)Carole Keeton Strayhorn (I)Richard "Kinky" Friedman (I)
Also on the ballot: James Werner (Libertarian), 0.6%; James "Patriot" Dillon (Other party), 0.0%