2012 North Carolina gubernatorial election
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| Turnout | 67.30% | ||||||||||||||||
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 County results McCrory: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% Dalton: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% | |||||||||||||||||
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The 2012 North Carolina gubernatorial election took place on November 6, 2012, concurrently with the 2012 United States presidential election, U.S. House election, statewide judicial election, Council of State election and various local elections.
The incumbent Democratic governor, Bev Perdue, was eligible to run for reelection. However, she announced on January 26, 2012, that she would not seek a second term in office. The Democratic nominee was the incumbent lieutenant governor, Walter H. Dalton, the Republican nominee was former mayor of Charlotte Pat McCrory and the Libertarian nominee was Barbara Howe. McCrory won the election with almost 55 percent of the vote to Dalton's 43 percent, the largest margin of victory for a Republican in an open-seat race for governor since the Reconstruction Era. When he became the 74th governor of North Carolina in January 2013, the Republicans won complete control of state government for the first time since Reconstruction.
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Bruce Blackmon, physician[1]
- Walter H. Dalton, Lieutenant Governor[2]
- Gary M. Dunn,[3] salesman and UNC-Charlotte student[4]
- Bob Etheridge, former U.S. Representative[5]
- Bill Faison, state representative[6]
- Gardenia Henley, retired U.S. Agency for International Development auditor[7]
Declined
- Dan Blue, state senator[8]
- Erskine Bowles, chairman of the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform, former UNC System president, former White House Chief of Staff[9]
- Roy Cooper, Attorney General of North Carolina[10]
- Janet Cowell, state treasurer[11]
- Cal Cunningham, former state senator[12]
- Anthony Foxx, mayor of Charlotte[13]
- Kay Hagan, U.S. Senator[14]
- Jim Hunt, former governor[10]
- Allen Joines, Mayor of Winston-Salem[15]
- Mike McIntyre, U.S. Representative[16]
- Brad Miller, U.S. Representative[17]
- Richard H. Moore, former North Carolina State Treasurer and candidate for governor in 2008[18]
- Bev Perdue, incumbent governor[19]
- Heath Shuler, U.S. Representative[20]
Polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Bruce Blackmon |
Walter Dalton |
Gary Dunn |
Bob Etheridge |
Bill Faison |
Gardenia Henley |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling | May 5–6, 2012 | 500 | ± 3.1% | 2% | 34% | 4% | 29% | 4% | 4% | 24% |
| Survey USA | April 26–30, 2012 | 560 | ± 4.2% | 2% | 32% | 5% | 23% | 5% | 3% | 30% |
| Public Policy Polling | April 27–29, 2012 | 500 | ± 4.4% | 3% | 36% | 2% | 26% | 5% | 3% | 25% |
| Civitas/Survey USA | April 20–23, 2012 | 448 | ± 4.7% | 3% | 32% | 3% | 27% | 4% | 2% | 27% |
| Public Policy Polling | April 20–22, 2012 | 500 | ± 4.4% | 4% | 26% | 4% | 25% | 5% | 2% | 35% |
| Public Policy Polling | March 23–25, 2012 | 505 | ± 4.4% | 5% | 15% | 4% | 26% | 3% | 2% | 45% |
| Public Policy Polling | February 29 – March 1, 2012 | 499 | ± 4.4% | 5% | 19% | 2% | 26% | 2% | 4% | 41% |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Dan Blue |
Walter Dalton |
Bob Etheridge |
Bill Faison |
Mike McIntyre |
Brad Miller |
Richard Moore |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling | February 3–5, 2012 | 400 | ± 4.9% | 13% | 10% | 21% | 2% | 6% | 8% | 7% | 33% |
| 11% | 20% | 24% | 4% | — | — | — | 41% | ||||
| — | 22% | 25% | 6% | 7% | — | — | 40% | ||||
| — | 20% | 24% | 4% | — | 11% | — | 41% | ||||
| — | 21% | 24% | 5% | — | — | 8% | 41% | ||||
| — | 24% | 30% | 6% | — | — | — | 39% |
Debates
A series of televised debates between candidates Dalton, Etheridge and Faison, held April 16–18, was considered potentially pivotal, since "the governor’s race has so far attracted little attention, created little buzz and produced few political commercials" and "polls suggest there is still a large swath of Democratic voters who have yet to decide" for whom to vote.[21] The first debate, conducted by WRAL-TV and broadcast statewide, featured few differences between the candidates, but Faison was seen as the aggressor.[22] The second debate (conducted by UNC-TV) was more contentious, with Dalton criticizing Etheridge's support of a free trade agreement while he was in Congress, and Etheridge attacking Dalton over his attendance record on boards and commissions and his alleged failure to speak out against the actions of the majority-Republican legislature.[23] In the final debate of the series, this one conducted by WNCN-TV and the North Carolina League of Women Voters, candidates were considered to be more "muted" in their criticisms of each other. All three spoke out strongly against a voter ID bill proposed by Republicans in the state legislature. Dalton emphasized modernizing the state's economy, Etheridge continued his themes of leadership and education, and Faison most sharply attacked Republicans and called for action on the state's unemployment problem.[24]
Results
Dalton
- Dalton—81-90%
- Dalton—71-80%
- Dalton—61-70%
- Dalton—51-60%
- Dalton—41-50%
- Dalton—31-40%
Etheridge
- Etheridge—61-70%
- Etheridge—51-60%
- Etheridge—41-50%
- Etheridge—31-40%
Faison
- Faison—41-50%
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Walter H. Dalton | 425,618 | 45.8 | |
| Democratic | Bob Etheridge | 353,209 | 38.0 | |
| Democratic | Bill Faison | 51,759 | 5.6 | |
| Democratic | Gardenia Henley | 48,402 | 5.2 | |
| Democratic | Gary M. Dunn | 27,163 | 2.9 | |
| Democratic | Bruce Blackmon | 22,158 | 2.4 | |
| Total votes | 928,309 | 100 | ||
Republican primary
Candidates
- Jim Harney, businessman[26]
- Scott Jones, businessman[27]
- Jim Mahan, small businessman and former teacher[28]
- Pat McCrory, former mayor of Charlotte and nominee for governor in 2008[29]
- Charles Kenneth Moss, businessman and preacher[30][31]
- Paul Wright, attorney and former District Court and Superior Court judge[30]
Declined
- Phil Berger, State Senate President Pro Tem[32]
- Cherie Berry, state labor commissioner (running for re-election)[33]
- Peter Brunstetter, state senator[34]
- Paul Coble, former mayor of Raleigh and current chairman of the Wake County Board of Commissioners (running for Congress)[35]
- Steve Troxler, state Agriculture Commissioner (running for re-election)[36]
Polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Jim Harney |
Scott Jones |
Jim Mahan |
Pat McCrory |
Charles Moss |
Paul Wright |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling | May 5–6, 2012 | 496 | ± 4.4% | 2% | 3% | 2% | 70% | 1% | 2% | 20% |
| Survey USA | April 26–30, 2012 | 451 | ± 4.5% | 3% | 3% | 2% | 65% | 3% | 2% | 21% |
| Public Policy Polling | April 27–29, 2012 | 486 | ± 4.4% | 4% | 2% | 2% | 66% | 0% | 2% | 24% |
| Public Policy Polling | April 20–22, 2012 | 521 | ± 4.3% | 3% | 1% | 2% | 67% | 1% | 2% | 23% |
| Public Policy Polling | March 22–25, 2012 | 561 | ± 4.1% | 2% | 1% | 3% | 64% | 2% | 0% | 28% |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Pat McCrory |
Someone more conservative |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling | September 1–4, 2011 | 400 | ± 4.9% | 40% | 46% | — | 15% |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Phil Berger |
Cherie Berry |
Tom Fetzer |
Virginia Foxx |
Pat McCrory |
Patrick McHenry |
Sue Myrick |
Fred Smith |
Other/ Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling | November 19–21, 2010 | 400 | ± 4.9% | 2% | 3% | 12% | 11% | 37% | 3% | 6% | 4% | 22% |
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Pat McCrory | 744,226 | 83.4 | |
| Republican | Paul Wright | 46,986 | 5.3 | |
| Republican | Scott Jones | 30,884 | 3.5 | |
| Republican | Jim Mahan | 29,794 | 3.3 | |
| Republican | Jim Harney | 26,242 | 2.9 | |
| Republican | Charles Kenneth Moss | 13,696 | 1.5 | |
| Total votes | 891,828 | 100 | ||
General election
Candidates
- Walter H. Dalton (D), lieutenant governor
- Barbara Howe (L), nominee for governor in 2000 and 2004[37]
- Pat McCrory (R), former mayor of Charlotte and nominee for governor in 2008
Predictions
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| The Cook Political Report[38] | Lean R | November 1, 2012 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[39] | Likely R | November 5, 2012 |
| Rothenberg Political Report[40] | Likely R | November 2, 2012 |
| Real Clear Politics[41] | Likely R | November 5, 2012 |
Debates
- Complete video of debate, October 3, 2012 - C-SPAN
- Complete video of debate, October 16, 2012 - C-SPAN
- Complete video of debate, October 24, 2012 - C-SPAN
Polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Walter Dalton (D) |
Pat McCrory (R) |
Barbara Howe (L) |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling | November 3–4, 2012 | 926 | ± 3.2% | 43% | 50% | 4% | — | 3% |
| Public Policy Polling | October 29–31, 2012 | 730 | ± 3.6% | 39% | 50% | 4% | — | 7% |
| WRAL News/SurveyUSA | October 26–29, 2012 | 682 | ± 3.8% | 36% | 53% | — | — | 11% |
| Elon University | October 21–26, 2012 | 1,238 | ± 2.8% | 38% | 52% | — | 2% | 8% |
| Rasmussen Reports | October 25, 2012 | 500 | ± 4.5% | 35% | 54% | — | 1% | 10% |
| Public Policy Polling | October 23–25, 2012 | 880 | ± 3.3% | 37% | 50% | 5% | — | 8% |
| Rasmussen Reports | October 17, 2012 | 500 | ± 4.5% | 42% | 53% | — | — | 4% |
| Public Policy Polling | October 12–14, 2012 | 1,084 | ± 3% | 37% | 47% | 5% | — | 11% |
| Rasmussen Reports | October 9, 2012 | 500 | ± 4.5% | 38% | 52% | — | — | 10% |
| Gravis Marketing | October 6–8, 2012 | 1,325 | ± 2.9% | 33% | 50% | — | — | 17% |
| Rasmussen Reports | October 2, 2012 | 500 | ± 4.5% | 38% | 54% | — | 1% | 7% |
| Survey USA | September 29 – October 1, 2012 | 573 | ± 4.2% | 39% | 51% | 3% | — | 7% |
| Public Policy Polling | September 27–30, 2012 | 981 | ± 3.1% | 37% | 47% | 5% | — | 10% |
| WSJ/NBC News/Marist | September 23–25, 2012 | 1,035 | ± 3.4% | 39% | 52% | — | — | 8% |
| Civitas | September 18–19, 2012 | 600 | ± 4% | 38% | 49% | 3% | — | 10% |
| Rasmussen Reports | September 13, 2012 | 500 | ± 3.4% | 38% | 51% | 1% | — | 10% |
| Survey USA/Civitas | September 4–6, 2012 | 500 | ± 3.4% | 39% | 55% | 4% | — | 29% |
| Public Policy Polling | August 31 – September 2, 2012 | 1,012 | ± 3.4% | 39% | 45% | 5% | — | 10% |
| Elon Univ./Charlotte Observer | August 25–30, 2012 | 1,089 | ± 3.4% | 37% | 52% | — | — | 11% |
| Public Policy Polling | August 2–5, 2012 | 813 | ± 3.4% | 38% | 45% | 7% | — | 11% |
| Rasmussen Reports | July 27, 2012 | 500 | ± 4.5% | 41% | 46% | — | 3% | 10% |
| Civitas | July 16–18, 2012 | 600 | ± 4% | 37% | 47% | 6% | — | 4% |
| Public Policy Polling | July 5–8, 2012 | 775 | ± 3.5% | 36% | 43% | 9% | — | 12% |
| Survey USA | June 29 – July 1, 2012 | 558 | ± 4.2% | 44% | 46% | 7% | — | 3% |
| Rasmussen Reports | June 25, 2012 | 500 | ± 4.5% | 35% | 49% | — | 4% | 12% |
| NBC News/Marist | June 24–25, 2012 | 1,019 | ± 3.1% | 41% | 43% | — | — | 17% |
| Public Policy Polling | June 7–10, 2012 | 810 | ± 3.4% | 40% | 47% | — | — | 13% |
| Survey USA | May 18–21, 2012 | 524 | ± 4.4% | 39% | 44% | 7% | — | 10% |
| Civitas | May 19–20, 2012 | 600 | ± 4% | 38% | 48% | — | — | 12% |
| Rasmussen Reports | May 14, 2012 | 500 | ± 4.5% | 41% | 50% | — | 1% | 8% |
| Public Policy Polling | May 10–13, 2012 | 666 | ± 3.8% | 40% | 46% | — | — | 13% |
| Rasmussen Reports | April 10, 2012 | 500 | ± 4.5% | 36% | 45% | — | 5% | 14% |
| Public Policy Polling | March 8–11, 2012 | 804 | ± 3.5% | 35% | 46% | — | — | 19% |
| Civitas | February 27–28, 2012 | 600 | ± 4% | 29% | 49% | — | — | 22% |
| Public Policy Polling | January 27–29, 2012 | 554 | ± 4.2% | 35% | 50% | — | — | 15% |
| Public Policy Polling | September 30 – October 3, 2011 | 760 | ± 3.6% | 32% | 46% | — | — | 23% |
| Public Policy Polling | March 17–20, 2011 | 584 | ± 4.1% | 27% | 47% | — | — | 26% |
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Debates
Dalton and McCrory met for their first televised debate at the studios of UNC-TV on October 3, 2012. Two debates were sponsored by the North Carolina Association of Broadcasters Educational Foundation, with the third and final debate sponsored by WRAL-TV and the Rocky Mount Chamber of Commerce. Howe was not invited to participate in any of the scheduled debates. The Associated Press characterized Dalton as going "on the offensive" against McCrory in the first debate.[42] The final encounter between the two candidates, held Oct. 24 on the campus of North Carolina Wesleyan College, featured "more subdued disagreements over taxes, education, health care and mental health."[43]
- Complete video of debate, C-SPAN, October 3, 2012
- Complete video of debate, C-SPAN, October 24, 2012
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Pat McCrory | 2,440,707 | 54.62% | +7.74% | |
| Democratic | Walter H. Dalton | 1,931,580 | 43.23% | −7.04% | |
| Libertarian | Barbara Howe | 94,652 | 2.12% | −0.73% | |
| Write-in | 1,356 | 0.03% | N/A | ||
| Total votes | 4,468,295 | 100.00% | N/A | ||
| Republican gain from Democratic | |||||
See also
References
- ^ News & Observer: 90-year-old physician files in Democratic primary
- ^ Dalton makes it official: He will seek governor's office | newsobserver.com projects
- ^ State Board of Elections: candidate filing list Archived March 11, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ A Closer Look: Dunn making second run for Governor
- ^ "Former Rep. Bob Etheridge to run for governor". WTVD-TV. February 2, 2012. Archived from the original on July 18, 2013. Retrieved September 1, 2019.
- ^ Bill Faison announces run for governor :: WRAL.com
- ^ "Winston-Salem Journal". Archived from the original on February 20, 2012. Retrieved February 21, 2012.
- ^ Christensen, Rob (February 28, 2012). "Dan Blue rules out governor's race". The News & Observer. Retrieved February 28, 2012.
- ^ Bowles won't run for governor
- ^ a b Perdue will not seek re-election :: WRAL.com
- ^ Democratic state treasurer won't seek higher office in 2012 | newsobserver.com projects
- ^ [1] Archived January 30, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ News & Observer: Charlotte mayor Anthony Foxx won't run for governor
- ^ "VOTE 2012: Hagan not running for governor". WWAY NewsChannel 3. January 30, 2012. Retrieved January 30, 2012.
- ^ Graff, Laura (January 30, 2012). "Winston-Salem Mayor Allen Joines won't run for governor". Winston-Salem Journal. Retrieved January 30, 2012.
- ^ Burns, Matthew (February 10, 2012). "McIntyre withdraws name from gubernatorial run". WRAL-TV. Retrieved February 10, 2012.
- ^ "Brad Miller won't run for governor". News and Observer. February 16, 2012. Retrieved February 16, 2012.
- ^ Christensen, Rob (February 24, 2012). "Moore won't run for governor". The News & Observer. Retrieved February 24, 2012.
- ^ Frank, John (January 26, 2012). "Gov. Bev Perdue will not run for re-election". Raleigh News & Observer. Archived from the original on October 25, 2012. Retrieved January 26, 2012.
- ^ Miller, Joshua (January 31, 2012). "North Carolina: Heath Shuler Decides Against Gubernatorial Bid". Roll Call. Retrieved January 31, 2012.
- ^ News & Observer: Democratic gubernatorial candidates' hopes ride on three nights of debate
- ^ News & Observer: Little discord at NC Democratic gubernatorial debate
- ^ News & Observer: Democratic gubernatorial debate: Criticism grows sharper
- ^ News & Observer: Democratic candidates vow to veto voter ID bills
- ^ a b Election Map 2012: Live Voting Results - POLITICO.com
- ^ Barksdale, Andrew (February 23, 2012). "Jim Harney of Cumberland County is running for N.C. Governor". The Fayetteville Observer. Archived from the original on March 20, 2012. Retrieved February 24, 2012.
- ^ WRAL.com
- ^ News & Observer: Another Republican candidate for governor
- ^ "Pat McCrory '100 percent' in for NC gov race". WRAL-TV. Associated Press. December 19, 2011. Retrieved February 24, 2012.
- ^ a b "Two more Republicans join GOP contest for governor". The Times-News. Associated Press. February 24, 2012. Retrieved February 24, 2012.
- ^ WRAL/Associated Press: Other NC gov candidates still aim for top prize[permanent dead link]
- ^ Christensen, Rob (January 3, 2010). "Who has the edge in '10? The view from my murky research". The News & Observer. Retrieved December 4, 2010.
- ^ Daily Herald: N.C. labor commissioner: Focus is safety Archived March 25, 2011, at the Wayback Machine ("Berry, who was first elected to the position she occupies in 2000...plans to seek re-election in 2012.")
- ^ http://www.m2mpolitics.com/news/marriage-1967-primary-question.html
- ^ North Carolina County Commissioner Jumps Into Race : Roll Call Politics
- ^ News & Observer: Agriculture commissioner announces re-election bid
- ^ "WCNC.com". Archived from the original on October 1, 2013. Retrieved February 25, 2012.
- ^ "2012 Governor Race Ratings for November 1, 2012". The Cook Political Report. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
- ^ "PROJECTION: OBAMA WILL LIKELY WIN SECOND TERM". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
- ^ "2012 Gubernatorial Ratings". Gubernatorial Ratings. The Rothenberg Political Report. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
- ^ "2012 Elections Map - 2012 Governor Races". Real Clear Politics. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
- ^ Associated Press/News & Observer
- ^ News & Observer
- ^ https://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=11/06/2012&county_id=0&office=COS&contest=0
External links
- Campaign sites