Map of the results Democratic hold Republican gain Republican hold (including recall) Popular Democratic gain Nonpartisan No election
The 2012 United States gubernatorial elections were held in 12 states (including a recall election in Wisconsin on June 5) and two territories. Of the eight Democratic and four Republican seats contested, only that of North Carolina changed party hands, giving the Republicans a net gain of one governorship. These elections (except for Wisconsin) coincided with the presidential election on November 6, 2012.
Mike Pence, a six-term Republican in the U.S. House of Representatives, announced his candidacy for his party's nomination. Pence, whose announcement was anticipated by his resignation of a leading position in the GOP caucus in the House, was regarded as the favorite for election.[4] Indianapolis businessman and former Hamilton County Councilman Jim Wallace had announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination prior to Pence's entrance but failed to collect enough signatures to become an official candidate by the deadline in February 2012.[5][6][7]
Former state House Speaker John R. Gregg was unopposed for the Democratic Party's nomination.[8]
Former Survivor contestant and founder of the Rupert's Kids charity Rupert Boneham ran as the Libertarian Party candidate.[9]
Pence narrowly defeated Gregg with 49.9% of the vote to Gregg's 46.56%. Boneham received 3.95% of the vote.[10]
GovernorBrian Schweitzer was term-limited in 2012.
The declared Democratic primary candidates were state SenatorLarry Jent[15] and state Attorney General Steve Bullock.[16]
The declared Republican primary candidates included Chouteau County commissioner Jim O'Hara,[17] former state SenatorsCorey Stapleton and Ken Miller, terrorism and national security analyst Neil Livingstone,[18] former Congressman Rick Hill,[19] and Truck driver Keith Winkler.[20]
Steve Bullock and Rick Hill won their respective primaries. Bullock defeated Hill and Libertarian Ron Vandevender in the general election.[21]
GovernorJohn Lynch retired rather than running for re-election.[23]
Maggie Hassan, former Majority Leader of the New Hampshire State Senate, defeated former state senator Jackie Cilley and firefighter Bill Kennedy to become the Democratic nominee. Former Chairman of the New Hampshire Board of Education Ovide Lamontagne, who narrowly lost the Republican primary for Senate in 2010, defeated conservative activist and former state representative Kevin Smith and Bill Tarr to win the Republican nomination.[24][25] Hassan eventually won the general election.
New Hampshire does not have a position of Lieutenant Governor.
Main article: 2012 North Carolina gubernatorial election
GovernorBeverly Perdue retired rather than run for re-election.[27]
Potential Democratic candidates included Lt. Gov. Walter H. Dalton and state Rep. Bill Faison.[28]
Potential Republican candidates included former Mayor of CharlottePat McCrory (the 2008 Republican nominee for Governor);[29]Nido Qubein, President of High Point University;[30]Tom Fetzer, former Mayor of Raleigh; and former state Senator Fred Smith.[31]
Dalton and McCrory won their respective primaries, and McCrory eventually won the general election.
The Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina was elected separately.[citation needed]
GovernorJack Dalrymple succeeded John Hoeven after the latter was elected Senator and ran for a full term in 2012.[33]Drew Wrigley was his running mate. Dalrymple defeated architect Paul Sorum for the nomination.
State Senate Minority leader Ryan Taylor was the Democratic nominee. Ellen Chaffee was his running mate.[34] Dalrymple eventually won the general election.
GovernorGary Herbert, who won the 2010 gubernatorial special election to finish his predecessor's unfinished term, ran for a full four-year term in 2012.[36]
He was opposed by Democrat Peter Cooke, a businessman and retired major general. The Libertarian candidate was medical researcher Ken Larson, and the Constitution party candidate was Kirk D. Pearson. Herbert eventually won the general election.
GovernorPeter Shumlin, the victor of the Vermont gubernatorial election of 2010, ran for re-election in 2012.[38] His Republican challenger was state Senator Randy Brock.[39] Shumlin later won the general election.
Main article: 2012 Washington gubernatorial election
GovernorChristine Gregoire retired rather than run for re-election.[41]
U.S. Representative Jay Inslee is the only declared Democratic candidate.[42] Other potential Democratic candidates including state Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown, King County Executive Dow Constantine, state Treasurer Jim McIntire, Auditor General Brian Sonntag, and Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon have declined to run, or endorsed Inslee.[43][44][45][46][47][48]
State Attorney General Rob McKenna and Pastor Shahram Hadian, are the announced Republicans in the race. Seattle Port Commission President Bill Bryant is considered a potential Republican candidate.[49][50] U.S. Representative Dave Reichert decided against a bid, and threw his support to McKenna.[51] Inslee eventually won the general election.
The Lieutenant Governor will be elected separately.
The Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia ruled on January 18, 2011 that the state must hold a special gubernatorial election in 2011[53] to fill the vacancy resulting from Joe Manchin's election to the United States Senate. The special election occurred October 4, 2011 with state Senate President and acting Governor Earl Ray Tomblin won the election. Tomblin was eligible to run for a full term in 2012.
Tomblin's 2011 Republican opponent, businessman Bill Maloney, eventually became the Republican nominee.[54] Tomblin later won the election.
David Moran was the Libertarian candidate.
The Lieutenant Governor is elected by the State Senate.
Main article: 2012 Wisconsin gubernatorial recall election
GovernorScott Walker (R) survived a recall election on June 5. Walker's disapproval ratings varied between 50–51% while his approval ratings varied between 47–49% in 2011.[56] Walker led against challenger Tom Barrett (D) in polls since March, including two post-primary polls which showed Walker with a five to twelve point lead.[57][58] Walker defeated Barrett by seven percentage points,[59] becoming the first governor in U.S. history to survive a recall election.
GovernorTogiola Tulafono, who had served as Governor since 2003, was ineligible to run for re-election due to term limits.
Six candidates vied to succeed outgoing Governor Tulafono – former President of American Samoa Community College, Salu Hunkin-Finau; businessman Timothy Jones; former Attorney GeneralAfoa Moega Lutu; former President of the Development Bank of American Samoa, Lolo Letalu Matalasi Moliga; Lieutenant GovernorFaoa Aitofele Sunia; and former High Court of American Samoa justice Save Liuato Tuitele.[61][62][63] Moliga eventually won the general election.
Election results, Governor of American Samoa, November 6, 2012
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Nonpartisan
Lolo Letalu Matalasi Moliga
4,372
33.5
Nonpartisan
Faoa Aitofele Sunia
4,315
33.1
Nonpartisan
Afoa Moega Lutu
2,521
19.3
Nonpartisan
Salu Hunkin-Finau
893
6.8
Nonpartisan
Save Liuato Tuitele
763
5.8
Nonpartisan
Timothy Jones
189
1.4
Total votes
13,053
100
Runoff election results, Governor of American Samoa, November 20, 2012
Fortuño had been mentioned as a long-shot potential Republican nominee for President or Vice President in 2012.[64] However, he announced on June 26, 2011 that he would run for re-election instead of seeking the Presidency.
SenatorAlejandro García Padilla (PPD) was the net biggest challenger out of six challengers, and eventually won the general election.
Puerto Rico does not have a position of Lieutenant Governor.
^Dalrymple took office after his predecessor (John Hoeven) resigned.
^Herbert took office after his predecessor (Jon Huntsman Jr.) resigned. He was subsequently elected in the 2010 Utah gubernatorial special election.
^Tomblin took office after his predecessor (Joe Manchin) resigned. He was subsequently elected in the 2011 West Virginia gubernatorial special election.
^Tulafono took office after his predecessor (Tauese Pita Fiti Sunia) died. He was subsequently elected in the 2004 American Samoa gubernatorial election.