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2006 Election Coverage

Live Coverage Starts at 8 p.m.

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Jump to coverage for DC | MD | VA | Results

Starting at 8 p.m. on Election Night, join host Kojo Nnamdi for local and national updates, plus analysis from the NPR and WAMU 88.5 news teams. It's our special Election Night Coverage, starting at 8 p.m. Listen live on WAMU 88.5 or online at wamu.org.

WAMU 88.5 provides in-depth coverage of local and regional politics across its news programming. Political stories and their impacts are covered regularly in news updates and on The Kojo Nnamdi Show. In addition, every Friday at noon, The DC Politics Hour with Kojo & Jonetta offers a lively, intelligent, irreverent and thought-provoking discussion of the latest social and political issues of concern to area residents. Then at 1 p.m., Fridays, Metro Connection broadens the focus to include news, election coverage and cultural features from throughout our region.

District of Columbia

Audio archives

2006 Primary Election Coverage

2006 Election Coverage

In a city where registered Democrats outnumber Republicans nine to one, conventional wisdom holds that September's primary determined the makeup of the city's political leadership. In the race for mayor, current-Ward 4 Councilman Adrian Fenty beat a large field to win the Democratic nomination for Mayor. In the Council, Democratic primary victors included current members Vincent Gray (Chair) and Phil Mendelson (At-Large).

So now what? The presumed mayor-elect faces a challenge from Republican and Independent candidates, and he says he'll take nothing for granted. There are also other major changes to consider, including the leadership positions on the Council and the non-partisan Board of Education.

Throughout the 2006 election cycle, The DC Politics Hour with Kojo & Jonetta continues to explore the issues and personalities that inform the major races in city government. From a series of intimate interviews that go "Beyond the Soundbite," to analysis of the five people running to run the school board, Kojo and Jonetta spotlight the issues D.C. voters need to know before casting their vote.

      Maryland

      Conventionally viewed as a "Blue State," in 2002, Maryland elected Robert Ehrlich the first Republican Governor in nearly 40 years. In a state where the power of incumbency is strong, the 2006 election features open seats and competitive races for a host of offices, including Governor.

      Major polling problems marred Maryland's primary day for voters in Montgomery and Prince George's County, and brought the state unwelcome national headlines. But the second phase of voting is sure to garner more attention in races with national implications. An unwieldy list of aspirants for Maryland's first open U.S. Senate in 20 years has been narrowed to two major candidates: Republican Michael Steele and Democrat Benjamin Cardin. Governor Ehrlich also faces a tough race against Democrat Martin O'Malley, the Mayor of Baltimore.

      Throughout the 2006 election cycle, The Kojo Nnamdi Show has covered statewide and regional races, as well as political trends in the Old Line State, on its Maryland Politics Hour. Kojo hosts candidate debates and personal interviews with the newsmakers. Metro Connection goes in depth with coverage of races in Prince George's County and Montgomery County, as well as continuing coverage of Maryland's election issues.

        Virginia

        Virginia traditionally leans strongly Republican, with both U.S. Senate seats and eight of eleven Congressional seats held by the GOP. However, in 2005, the Commonwealth elected its second consecutive Democratic Governor, former Lieutenant Governor Tim Kaine. One of two states in the U.S. with off-year elections, Virginia last year held races for most offices- including Governor, Attorney General, and seats in the House of Delegates. In the 2006 election cycle, incumbent U.S. Senator George Allen (R) is challenged by Democrat James Webb, a former Republican Secretary of the Navy.

        The Kojo Nnamdi Show regularly covers politics in the Commonwealth on the Virginia Politics Hour and other shows. Metro Connection covered the Democratic Primary for the U.S. Senate seat and previewed the debate between George Allen and Jim Webb.

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