The 2006 elections are coming up in a few short months. You have probably heard how there’s a good chance the Democrats might take back one or both houses of Congress and several Governorships.

Recently I decided to explore the various races, and determine where I could best spend my campaign contribution dollars. I’ve compiled a list of campaigns that I will be supporting financially. Each race listed below contains the name of the Democratic candidate, their campaign web site, and a direct link to their donation page. If you are planning on contributing to any campaigns this year, hopefully my thoughts on the topic will be helpful to you.

The first on the list is the California governor race. I wish more than anything for Schwarzenegger to be ousted. If you feel the same, I recommend supporting the Phil Angelides campaign.

I’ve separated the Senate races into two-tiers. Those in my first tier are the races that are very close, where the Democrat challenger stands a chance of beating a Republican incumbent, or where the Democrat is severely underfunded in comparison to the Republican. The second tier races are also important, but I have had to prioritize so that I can afford to contribute different amounts at different times to many races.

GOVERNOR: California Phil Angelides neck and neck with governator. Web Donate UPDATE: new poll as of 7/27 shows Angelides trails Arnold by 13%.

SENATE (My Top picks): Pennsylvania Bob Casey Jr is Dem challenger and leading polls against Rick Santorum Web Donate

Montanna Jon Tester is Dem challenger and slightly leading polls Web Donate

Rhode Island Sheldon Whitehouse is Dem challenger with slight lead over incumbent Lincoln Chaffee Web Donate

Missouri Claire McCaskill is Dem challenger - neck and neck with incumbent Jim Talent Web Donate

SENATE (My Second-tier picks) Minnesota Amy Klobuchar is Dem replacement for Dayton and holds slight lead Web Donate

Ohio Sherrod Brown is Dem challenger trailing slightly Web Donate

Washington Maria Cantwell is Dem incumbent leads just slightly Web Donate

New Jersey Bob Menendez is Dem incumbent leads slightly Web Donate

Virginia James Webb is Dem challenger to George Allen Web Donate

Connecticut Ned Lamont challenging Joe Lieberman who is criticized for being too supportive of Bush Web Donate

SOURCE MATERIAL The sites I’ve been using to follow these races and prioritize are: Rasmussen Reports CQ Politics