The Massachusetts gubernatorial election of 2006 was held on November 7, 2006. Former US Assistant Attorney General Deval Patrick was elected to a four-year term, from January 4, 2007 until January 6, 2011. In his first elected office, Patrick is the second African-American governor in the United States since Reconstruction. Every four years, Massachusetts holds elections for Governor and Lieutenant Governor, as part of the general statewide election. The Primary election was September 19, 2006.