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The 2012 North Carolina State Senate elections selected members to serve in the North Carolina Senate for a two-year term commencing in January 2013. Going into the election, the Senate had 31 Republican and 19 Democratic members, which constituted a two-thirds super-majority for the Republican Party. Following the election, the Senate had 33 Republican and 17 Democratic members.
Chris Carney (R-District 44), defeated by David L. Curtis (R)
Incumbents defeated in general election[]
Stan M. White (D-District 1), defeated by Bill Cook (R)
Doug Berger (D-District 18), defeated by Chad Barefoot (R)
Open seats that changed parties[]
Don Vaughan (D-District 27) did not seek re-election, seat won by Trudy Wade (R)
Newly created seats[]
District 5, won by Donald G. Davis (D)
District 22, won by Mike Woodard (D)
District 41, won by Jeff Tarte (R)
Seats eliminated by redistricting[]
Bob Atwater (D-District 18) did not seek re-election after his seat was merged with 23rd district
Harris Blake (R-District 22) did not seek re-election after his seat was merged with the 29th district
Wes Westmoreland (R-District 46) did not seek re-election after his seat was merged with the 44th district
Detailed Results[]
Districts 1-25[]
District 1[]
Incumbent Democrat Stan M. White has represented the 1st district since 2011.
North Carolina Senate 1st district general election, 2012
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Republican
Bill Cook
43,735
50.01%
Democratic
Stan M. White (incumbent)
43,714
49.99%
Total votes
87,449
100%
Republicangain from Democratic
District 2[]
Incumbent Republican Jean R. Preston has represented the 2nd district since 2007. Preston did not seek re-election. Representative Norman Sanderson won the open seat.
North Carolina Senate 2nd district general election, 2012
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Republican
Norman Sanderson
53,873
63.12%
Democratic
Greg Muse
31,479
36.88%
Total votes
85,352
100%
Republicanhold
District 3[]
Incumbent Democrat Clark Jenkins has represented the 3rd district since 2003.
North Carolina Senate 3rd district general election, 2012
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Democratic
Clark Jenkins (incumbent)
65,851
100%
Total votes
65,851`
100%
Democratichold
District 4[]
Incumbent Democrat Ed Jones has represented the 4th district since 2007.
North Carolina Senate 4th district general election, 2012
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Democratic
Ed Jones (incumbent)
63,666
72.32%
Republican
Warren Scott Nail
24,363
27.68%
Total votes
88,029
100%
Democratichold
District 5[]
The 5th district is an open seat that includes Democratic leaning areas in Greene, Pitt, Lenoir, and Wayne counties. Democrat Donald G. Davis who represented a different version of the 5th district from 2009 to 2011 won the open seat.
North Carolina Senate 5th district general election, 2012
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Democratic
Donald G. Davis
59,648
100%
Total votes
59,648
100%
Democraticwin (new seat)
District 6[]
Incumbent Republican Majority Leader Harry Brown has represented the 6th district since 2004.
North Carolina Senate 6th district general election, 2012
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Republican
Harry Brown (incumbent)
38,572
100%
Total votes
38,572
100%
Republicanhold
District 7[]
The new 7th district is the successor to the old 5th district, but is has been drawn to be more Republican leaning than its predecessor. It now includes mostly Republican leaning areas in Pitt, Lenoir, and Wayne counties. Incumbent Republican Louis Pate, who has represented the 5th district since 2011, successfully sought re-election here.
North Carolina Senate 7th district general election, 2012
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Republican
Louis Pate (incumbent)
60,120
100%
Total votes
60,120
100%
Republicanhold
District 8[]
Incumbent Republican Bill Rabon has represented the 8th district since 2011.
North Carolina Senate 8th district general election, 2012
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Republican
Bill Rabon (incumbent)
58,282
59.96%
Democratic
Danny Hefner
38,919
40.04%
Total votes
97,201
100%
Republicanhold
District 9[]
Incumbent Republican Thom Goolsby has represented the 9th district since 2011.
North Carolina Senate 9th district general election, 2012
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Republican
Thom Goolsby (incumbent)
52,955
54.16%
Democratic
Deb Butler
44,817
45.84%
Total votes
97,772
100%
Republicanhold
District 10[]
Incumbent Republican Brent Jackson has represented the 10th district since 2011.
North Carolina Senate 10th district general election, 2012
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Republican
Brent Jackson (incumbent)
48,772
100%
Total votes
48,772
100%
Republicanhold
District 11[]
Incumbent Republican Buck Newton has represented the 11th district since 2011.
North Carolina Senate 11th district general election, 2012
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Republican
Buck Newton (incumbent)
53,127
60.77%
Democratic
Clarence A. Bender
34,291
39.23%
Total votes
87,418
100%
Republicanhold
District 12[]
The new 12th district is considerably different from its predecessor. Redistricting resulted in it losing its share of Wayne County and most of Johnston County, except for a small section in the western corner where Rouzer's home is located. The new district now includes all of Harnett and Lee counties. Incumbent Republican David Rouzer, who has represented the 12th district since 2009, did not seek re-election. Rouzer instead ran for U.S House District 7. Republican Ronald J. Rabin won the open seat.
North Carolina Senate 12th district general election, 2012
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Republican
Ronald J. Rabin
37,809
50.99%
Democratic
Brad Salmon
36,337
49.01%
Total votes
100%
Republicanhold
District 13[]
Incumbent Democrat Michael P. Walters has represented the 13th district since 2009. The new 13th district lost its share of Hoke County, but now includes Columbus County.
North Carolina Senate 13th district general election, 2012
Incumbent Democrat Dan Blue has represented the 14th district since 2009.
North Carolina Senate 14th district general election, 2012
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Democratic
Dan Blue (incumbent)
72,652
100%
Total votes
72,652
100%
Democratichold
District 15[]
Incumbent Republican Neal Hunt has represented the 15th district since 2005.
North Carolina Senate 15th district general election, 2012
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Republican
Neal Hunt (incumbent)
61,981
55.82%
Democratic
Sig Hutchinson
49,050
44.18%
Total votes
111,031
100%
Republicanhold
District 16[]
Incumbent Democrat Josh Stein has represented the 16th district since 2009.
North Carolina Senate 16th district general election, 2012
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Democratic
Josh Stein (incumbent)
69,405
100%
Total votes
69,405
100%
Democratichold
District 17[]
Incumbent Republican Richard Stevens has represented the 17th district since 2003. Stevens did not seek re-election.
North Carolina Senate 17th district general election, 2012
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Republican
Tamara Barringer
57,101
53.67%
Democratic
Erv Portman
49,298
46.33%
Total votes
106,399
100%
Republicanhold
District 18[]
The new 18th district is essentially a new district, including constituents in eastern Wake County and also includes all of Franklin County. Democrat Doug Berger, who has represented 7th district since 2005, had most of his constituents drawn into the 4th and 20th districts, but he sought re-election here where is home was located. The district was expected to favor Republicans and, as expected, Berger lost re-election to Republican opponent Chad Barefoot.
North Carolina Senate 18th district general election, 2012
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Republican
Chad Barefoot
51,873
55.92%
Democratic
Doug Berger (incumbent)
40,897
44.08%
Total votes
92,770
100%
Republicangain from Democratic
District 19[]
Incumbent Republican Wesley Meredith has represented the 19th district since 2011. The new 19th district lost its share of Bladen County and traded Democratic leaning areas with Republican leaning areas to the 21st district in Cumberland County. The gerrymandered district was designed to protect the incumbent Meredith.
North Carolina Senate 19th district general election, 2012
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Republican
Wesley Meredith (incumbent)
37,308
53.88%
Democratic
George Tatum
31,936
46.12%
Total votes
69,244
100%
Republicanhold
District 20[]
Incumbent Democrat Floyd McKissick Jr. has represented the 20th district since 2007.
North Carolina Senate 20th district general election, 2012
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Democratic
Floyd McKissick Jr. (incumbent)
75,673
100%
Total votes
75,673
100%
Democratichold
District 21[]
Incumbent Democrat Eric L. Mansfield has represented the 21st district since 2011. The new district was made heavily Democratic by gaining Hoke County and losing Republican leaning areas in Cumberland County to the 19th district. Mansfield did not seek re-election, instead he ran Lieutenant Governor. Democrat Ben Clark won the open seat.
North Carolina Senate 21st district general election, 2012
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Democratic
Ben Clark
57,805
100%
Total votes
57,805
100%
Democratichold
District 22[]
The new 22nd district is a newly created constituency with no incumbent. The new district includes all of Caswell and Person counties as well as parts of Durham County, though most of the city of Durham remains in the heavily Democratic 20th district. Democrat Mike Woodard won the open seat.
North Carolina Senate 22nd district general election, 2012
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Democratic
Mike Woodard
67,484
65.38%
Republican
Milton Holmes
35,730
34.62%
Total votes
103,214
100%
Democraticwin (new seat)
District 23[]
The new 23rd district loses its share of Person County and gains Chatham County. Incumbent Democrats Eleanor Kinnaird, who has represented the 23rd district and its predecessors since 1997, and Bob Atwater, who has represented the 18th district since 2005, were both redistricted here. Atwater retired and Kinnaird ran for re-election.
North Carolina Senate 23rd district general election, 2012
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Democratic
Eleanor Kinnaird (incumbent)
71,919
66.97%
Republican
Dave Carter
35,467
33.03%
Total votes
107,386
100%
Democratichold
District 24[]
Incumbent Republican Rick Gunn has represented the 24th district since 2011.
North Carolina Senate 24th district general election, 2012
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Republican
Rick Gunn (incumbent)
51,230
79.02%
Democratic
Brandon Black
13,605
20.98%
Total votes
64,835
100%
Republicanhold
District 25[]
Incumbent Democrat Bill Purcell has represented the 25th district and its predecessors since 1997. Purcell did not seek re-election. Gene McLaurin won the open seat.
North Carolina Senate 25th district general election, 2012
Incumbent Republican President Pro Tempore Phil Berger has represented the 26th district since and its predecessors since 2001.
North Carolina Senate 26th district general election, 2012
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Republican
Phil Berger (incumbent)
58,276
61.11%
Democratic
Bobby R. Stanley
37,092
38.89%
Total votes
95,368
100%
Republicanhold
District 27[]
The new 27th district is still based in Guilford County but has been drawn to be more Republican than its predecessor. Incumbent Republican Don Vaughan has represented the 27th district since 2009. Vaughan did not seek re-election.
North Carolina Senate 27th district general election, 2012
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Republican
Trudy Wade
56,865
57.59%
Democratic
Myra Slone
41,870
42.41%
Total votes
98,735
100%
Republicangain from Democratic
District 28[]
Incumbent Democrat Gladys Robinson has represented the 28th district since 2011.
North Carolina Senate 28th district general election, 2012
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Democratic
Gladys Robinson (incumbent)
80,689
100%
Total votes
80,689
100%
Democratichold
District 29[]
The new 29th district lost its share of Montgomery County and the eastern half of Randolph County. It gained all of Moore County. Incumbent Republicans Jerry Tillman, who has represented the 29th district since 2003, and Harris Blake, who has represented the 22nd district since 2003, were both redistricted here. Blake retired and Tillman was successfully re-elected here.
North Carolina Senate 29th district general election, 2012
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Republican
Jerry Tillman (incumbent)
65,000
100%
Total votes
65,000
100%
Republicanhold
District 30[]
Incumbent Republican Don East has represented the 30th district since 2005. East died before the election, so all votes cast for him were given to Shirley B. Randleman who took the seat at the beginning of the 2013-2014 session.
North Carolina Senate 30th district general election, 2012
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Republican
Don East (incumbent)
49,417
64.32%
Democratic
Ric Marshall
27,416
35.68%
Total votes
76,833
100%
Republicanhold
District 31[]
Incumbent Republican Pete Brunstetter has represented the 31st district since 2006.
North Carolina Senate 31st district general election, 2012
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Republican
Peter Samuel (Pete) Brunstetter (incumbent)
71,806
68.98%
Democratic
Delmas Parker
32,298
31.02%
Total votes
104,104
100%
Republicanhold
District 32[]
Incumbent Democrat Linda Garrou has represented the 32nd district and its predecessors since 1999. Garrou did not seek re-election. Representative Earline Parmon won the open seat.
North Carolina Senate 32nd district general election, 2012
Incumbent Republican Tommy Tucker has represented the 35th district since 2011.
North Carolina Senate 35th district general election, 2012
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Republican
Tommy Tucker (incumbent)
62,213
100%
Total votes
62,213
100%
Republicanhold
District 36[]
Incumbent Republican Fletcher L. Hartsell Jr. has represented the 36th district and its predecessors since 1991.
North Carolina Senate 36th district general election, 2012
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Republican
Fletcher L. Hartsell Jr. (incumbent)
60,957
100%
Total votes
60,957
100%
Republicanhold
District 37[]
Incumbent Democrat Dan Clodfelter has represented the 37th district and its predecessors since 1999.
North Carolina Senate 37th district general election, 2012
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Democratic
Dan Clodfelter (incumbent)
51,376
66.98%
Republican
Michael Alan Vadini
25,325
33.02%
Total votes
76,701
100%
Democratichold
District 38[]
Incumbent Democrat Charlie Smith Dannelly has represented the 38th district and its predecessors since 1995. Dannelly initially ran for re-election but later withdrew. Democrat Joel Ford won the open seat.
North Carolina Senate 38th district general election, 2012
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Democratic
Joel Ford
65,715
80.21%
Republican
Richard Rivette
16,214
19.79%
Total votes
81,929
100%
Democratichold
District 39[]
Incumbent Republican Bob Rucho has represented the 39th district and its predecessors since 2008 and previously from 1997 to 2005.
North Carolina Senate 39th district general election, 2012
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Republican
Bob Rucho (incumbent)
61,006
61.60%
Democratic
Jack Flynn
38,025
38.40%
Total votes
99,031
100%
Republicanhold
District 40[]
Incumbent Democrat Maclom Graham has represented the 40th district since 2005.
North Carolina Senate 40th district general election, 2012
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Democratic
Malcolm Graham (incumbent)
63,925
84.11%
Republican
Earl Lyndon Philip
12,075
15.89%
Total votes
76,000
100%
Democratichold
District 41[]
The new 41st district is based in Mecklenburg County and includes Republican leaning areas in the Northern and Southeastern sections of the county connected by a narrow strip of land that runs along the county's border with Cabarrus County. The district, which has now incumbent, is expected to favor Republicans. Republican Jeff Tarte won the open seat.
North Carolina Senate 41st district general election, 2012
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Republican
Jeff Tarte
64,153
100%
Total votes
100%
Republicanwin (new seat)
District 42[]
Incumbent Republican Austin Allran has represented the 42nd district and its predecessors since 1986.
North Carolina Senate 42nd district general election, 2012
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Republican
Austin Allran (incumbent)
54,128
64.53%
Democratic
Joseph (Jody) Inglefield
29,757
35.47%
Total votes
83,885
100%
Republicanhold
District 43[]
Incumbent Republican Kathy Harrington has represented the 43rd district since 2011.
North Carolina Senate 43rd district general election, 2012
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Republican
Kathy Harrington (incumbent)
57,752
100%
Total votes
57,752
100%
Republicanhold
District 44[]
The new 44th district overlaps with much of the former 41st district represented by Republican Chris Carney since December 20, 2011. Carney sought re-election here but was defeated in the Republican primary by David L. Curtis. Curtis won the general election.
North Carolina Senate 44th district general election, 2012
Incumbent Republican Dan Soucek has represented the 45th district since 2011.
North Carolina Senate 45th district general election, 2012
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Republican
Dan Soucek (incumbent)
50,848
60.71%
Democratic
Roy J. Carter
32,913
39.29%
Total votes
83,761
100%
Republicanhold
District 46[]
The new 46th district lost its share Caldwell County but gained Cleveland County. Incumbent Republicans Wes Westmoreland, who has represented the 46th district since 2012 and Warren Daniel, who has represented the 44th district since 2011 were both redistricted here. Westmoreland did not seek re-election and Daniel successfully sought re-election here.
North Carolina Senate 46th district general election, 2012
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Republican
Warren Daniel (incumbent)
43,904
55.96%
Democratic
John T. McDevitt
32,409
41.31%
Libertarian
Richard C. Evey
2,144
2.73%
Total votes
78,457
100%
Republicanhold
District 47[]
The new 48th district lost its share of Haywood and Avery counties but gained all of Polk and Rutherford counties. Incumbent Republican Ralph Hise has represented the 47th district since 2011.
North Carolina Senate 47th district general election, 2012
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Republican
Ralph Hise (incumbent)
46,415
56.46%
Democratic
Phil Feagan
35,799
43.54%
Total votes
82,214
100%
Republicanhold
District 48[]
The new 48th District lost Polk County but gained Transylvania County. Incumbent Republican Tom Apodaca has represented the 48th district since 2003.
North Carolina Senate 48th district general election, 2012
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Republican
Tom Apodaca (incumbent)
62,736
100%
Total votes
62,736
100%
Republicanhold
District 49[]
Incumbent Democrat Martin Nesbitt has represented the 49th district since 2004.
North Carolina Senate 49th district general election, 2012
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Democratic
Martin Nesbitt (incumbent)
61,826
61.96%
Republican
RL Clark
37,953
38.04%
Total votes
99,779
100%
Democratichold
District 50[]
The new 50th district lost Transylvania County but gained all of Haywood County. Incumbent Republican Jim Davis has represented the 50th district since 2011.
North Carolina Senate 50th district general election, 2012
North Carolina General Assemblies by year convened and order
List of North Carolina state legislatures Senate President pro tempore of the Senate House of Commons House of Representatives Speakers of the House of Representatives (see Note)
North Carolina Provincial Congress (1774–1776: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th), Constitution of North Carolina (1776, 1835 Convention, 1861 Convention, 1868 redraft, 1875 Convention, Constitution of 1971)
Notes: Prior to the Constitution of 1868: the lower house of the North Carolina Legislature was known as the House of Commons and the leader of the Senate was called the Speaker of the Senate.
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