The 2006 United States Senate election in Rhode Island was held November 7, 2006. Incumbent Republican Lincoln Chafee sought re-election to a second full term in office, the seat he had held since 1999, when he was appointed to fill the vacancy created by the death of his father John Chafee. He lost to Democratic nominee, former state Attorney General Sheldon Whitehouse by a 7 point margin. As of 2022, this was the last time the Republican candidates won the counties of Bristol and Washington.