2012 North Carolina gubernatorial election

2012 North Carolina gubernatorial election
Turnout	67.30%
	McCrory: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% >90%; Dalton: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% >90%; Tie: 40–50%
Governor before election; Bev Perdue; Democratic	Elected Governor ; Pat McCrory; Republican

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, but announced on January 26, 2012, that she would not seek a second term. Incumbent lieutenant governor Walter H. Dalton won the Democratic nomination, while former mayor of Charlotte and 2008 gubernatorial nominee Pat McCrory won the Republican nomination. 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 a race for governor in history, surpassing the previous record set in 1868.

Libertarian nominee Barbara Howe took 2% of the vote. When he was inaugurated as the 74th governor of North Carolina in January 2013, the Republicans held complete control of state government for the first time since 1871. As of 2024, this is the last time a Republican was elected Governor of North Carolina, and the only time since 1988.

It was also the last time the state concurrently voted for a gubernatorial and presidential candidate of the same party, and the last time a Republican candidate won Mecklenburg County in a statewide election. This is the last time that a gubernatorial nominee and a lieutenant gubernatorial nominee of the same political party were elected governor and lieutenant governor in North Carolina.

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 H. Dalton	Gary Dunn	Bob Etheridge	Bill Faison	Gardenia Henley	Undecided
Public Policy Polling^[21]	May 5–6, 2012	500	± 3.1%	2%	34%	4%	29%	4%	4%	24%
Survey USA^[22]	April 26–30, 2012	560	± 4.2%	2%	32%	5%	23%	5%	3%	30%
Public Policy Polling^[23]	April 27–29, 2012	500	± 4.4%	3%	36%	2%	26%	5%	3%	25%
Civitas/Survey USA^[24]	April 20–23, 2012	448	± 4.7%	3%	32%	3%	27%	4%	2%	27%
Public Policy Polling^[25]	April 20–22, 2012	500	± 4.4%	4%	26%	4%	25%	5%	2%	35%
Public Policy Polling^[26]	March 23–25, 2012	505	± 4.4%	5%	15%	4%	26%	3%	2%	45%
Public Policy Polling^[27]	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 H. Dalton	Bob Etheridge	Bill Faison	Mike McIntyre	Brad Miller	Richard Moore	Undecided
Public Policy Polling^[28]	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.^[29] The first debate, conducted by WRAL-TV and broadcast statewide, featured few differences between the candidates, but Faison was seen as the aggressor.^[30] 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.^[31] 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.^[32]

Results

Democratic primary results^[33]
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	100.0

Republican primary

Candidates

Jim Harney, businessman^[34]
Scott Jones, businessman^[35]
Jim Mahan, small businessman and former teacher^[36]
Pat McCrory, former mayor of Charlotte and nominee for governor in 2008^[37]
Charles Kenneth Moss, businessman and preacher^[38]^[39]
Paul Wright, attorney and former District Court and Superior Court judge^[38]

Declined

Phil Berger, State Senate President Pro Tem^[40]
Cherie Berry, state labor commissioner (running for re-election)^[41]
Peter Brunstetter, state senator^[42]
Paul Coble, former mayor of Raleigh and current chairman of the Wake County Board of Commissioners (running for Congress)^[43]
Steve Troxler, state Agriculture Commissioner (running for re-election)^[44]

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^[21]	May 5–6, 2012	496	± 4.4%	2%	3%	2%	70%	1%	2%	20%
Survey USA^[22]	April 26–30, 2012	451	± 4.5%	3%	3%	2%	65%	3%	2%	21%
Public Policy Polling^[45]	April 27–29, 2012	486	± 4.4%	4%	2%	2%	66%	0%	2%	24%
Public Policy Polling^[46]	April 20–22, 2012	521	± 4.3%	3%	1%	2%	67%	1%	2%	23%
Public Policy Polling^[47]	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^[48]	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^[49]	November 19–21, 2010	400	± 4.9%	2%	3%	12%	11%	37%	3%	6%	4%	22%

Results

Republican primary results^[33]
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	100.0

General election

Candidates

Walter H. Dalton (D), lieutenant governor
Barbara Howe (L), nominee for governor in 2000 and 2004^[50]
Pat McCrory (R), former mayor of Charlotte and nominee for governor in 2008

Predictions

Source	Ranking	As of
The Cook Political Report^[51]	Lean R (flip)	November 1, 2012
Sabato's Crystal Ball^[52]	Likely R (flip)	November 5, 2012
Rothenberg Political Report^[53]	Likely R (flip)	November 2, 2012
Real Clear Politics^[54]	Likely R (flip)	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

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.^[55] 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."^[56]

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Walter H. Dalton (D)	Pat McCrory (R)	Barbara Howe (L)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling^[57]	November 3–4, 2012	926	± 3.2%	43%	50%	4%	—	3%
Public Policy Polling^[58]	October 29–31, 2012	730	± 3.6%	39%	50%	4%	—	7%
WRAL News/SurveyUSA^[59]	October 26–29, 2012	682	± 3.8%	36%	53%	—	—	11%
Elon University^[60]	October 21–26, 2012	1,238	± 2.8%	38%	52%	—	2%	8%
Rasmussen Reports^[61]	October 25, 2012	500	± 4.5%	35%	54%	—	1%	10%
Public Policy Polling^[62]	October 23–25, 2012	880	± 3.3%	37%	50%	5%	—	8%
Rasmussen Reports^[61]	October 17, 2012	500	± 4.5%	42%	53%	—	—	4%
Public Policy Polling^[63]	October 12–14, 2012	1,084	± 3%	37%	47%	5%	—	11%
Rasmussen Reports^[64]	October 9, 2012	500	± 4.5%	38%	52%	—	—	10%
Gravis Marketing^[65]	October 6–8, 2012	1,325	± 2.9%	33%	50%	—	—	17%
Rasmussen Reports^[66]	October 2, 2012	500	± 4.5%	38%	54%	—	1%	7%
Survey USA^[67]	September 29 – October 1, 2012	573	± 4.2%	39%	51%	3%	—	7%
Public Policy Polling^[68]	September 27–30, 2012	981	± 3.1%	37%	47%	5%	—	10%
WSJ/NBC News/Marist^[69]	September 23–25, 2012	1,035	± 3.4%	39%	52%	—	—	8%
Civitas^[70]	September 18–19, 2012	600	± 4%	38%	49%	3%	—	10%
Rasmussen Reports^[61]	September 13, 2012	500	± 3.4%	38%	51%	1%	—	10%
Survey USA/Civitas^[71]	September 4–6, 2012	500	± 3.4%	39%	55%	4%	—	29%
Public Policy Polling^[72]	August 31 – September 2, 2012	1,012	± 3.4%	39%	45%	5%	—	10%
Elon Univ./Charlotte Observer^[73]	August 25–30, 2012	1,089	± 3.4%	37%	52%	—	—	11%
Public Policy Polling^[74]	August 2–5, 2012	813	± 3.4%	38%	45%	7%	—	11%
Rasmussen Reports^[61]	July 27, 2012	500	± 4.5%	41%	46%	—	3%	10%
Civitas^[75]	July 16–18, 2012	600	± 4%	37%	47%	6%	—	4%
Public Policy Polling^[76]	July 5–8, 2012	775	± 3.5%	36%	43%	9%	—	12%
Survey USA^[77]	June 29 – July 1, 2012	558	± 4.2%	44%	46%	7%	—	3%
Rasmussen Reports^[61]	June 25, 2012	500	± 4.5%	35%	49%	—	4%	12%
NBC News/Marist^[78]	June 24–25, 2012	1,019	± 3.1%	41%	43%	—	—	17%
Public Policy Polling^[79]	June 7–10, 2012	810	± 3.4%	40%	47%	—	—	13%
Survey USA^[80]	May 18–21, 2012	524	± 4.4%	39%	44%	7%	—	10%
Civitas^[81]	May 19–20, 2012	600	± 4%	38%	48%	—	—	12%
Rasmussen Reports^[61]	May 14, 2012	500	± 4.5%	41%	50%	—	1%	8%
Public Policy Polling^[82]	May 10–13, 2012	666	± 3.8%	40%	46%	—	—	13%
Rasmussen Reports^[61]	April 10, 2012	500	± 4.5%	36%	45%	—	5%	14%
Public Policy Polling^[83]	March 8–11, 2012	804	± 3.5%	35%	46%	—	—	19%
Civitas^[84]	February 27–28, 2012	600	± 4%	29%	49%	—	—	22%
Public Policy Polling^[85]	January 27–29, 2012	554	± 4.2%	35%	50%	—	—	15%
Public Policy Polling^[86]	September 30 – October 3, 2011	760	± 3.6%	32%	46%	—	—	23%
Public Policy Polling^[87]	March 17–20, 2011	584	± 4.1%	27%	47%	—	—	26%

Hypothetical polling

Democratic primary polling with Perdue

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Bill Faison	Bev Perdue	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling^[88]	December 1–4, 2011	392	± 5.0%	23%	55%	—	23%
Public Policy Polling^[86]	September 30 – October 3, 2011	353	± 3.6%	18%	62%	—	20%

Republican primary with Ellmers, Troxler

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Renee Ellmers	Pat McCrory	Steve Troxler	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling^[48]	September 1–4, 2011	400	± 4.9%	10%	61%	—	—	29%
				—	51%	15%	—	34%
				10%	52%	19%	—	19%

General election polling
With Blue

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Dan Blue (D)	Pat McCrory (R)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling^[85]	January 27–29, 2012	554	± 4.2%	31%	49%	—	19%
Public Policy Polling^[87]	March 17–20, 2011	584	± 4.1%	28%	48%	—	16%

With Blackmon

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Bruce Blackmon (D)	Pat McCrory (R)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling^[83]	March 8–11, 2012	804	± 3.5%	33%	48%	—	18%

With Bowles

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Erskine Bowles (D)	Pat McCrory (R)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling^[85]	January 27–29, 2012	554	± 4.2%	42%	44%	—	14%
Public Policy Polling^[86]	September 30 – October 3, 2011	760	± 3.6%	42%	42%	—	16%

With Cooper

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Roy Cooper (D)	Pat McCrory (R)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling^[86]	September 30 – October 3, 2011	760	± 3.6%	39%	42%	—	19%
Public Policy Polling^[87]	March 17–20, 2011	584	± 4.1%	35%	43%	—	22%

With Foxx

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Anthony Foxx (D)	Pat McCrory (R)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling^[85]	January 27–29, 2012	554	± 4.2%	32%	50%	—	18%

With Etheridge

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Bob Etheridge (D)	Pat McCrory (R)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling^[83]	March 8–11, 2012	804	± 3.5%	36%	46%	—	18%
Public Policy Polling^[85]	January 27–29, 2012	554	± 4.2%	35%	50%	—	16%

With Faison

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Bill Faison (D)	Pat McCrory (R)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling^[85]	January 27–29, 2012	554	± 4.2%	31%	50%	—	19%
Public Policy Polling^[89]	January 5–8, 2012	780	± 3.5%	27%	47%	—	26%
Public Policy Polling^[88]	December 1–4, 2011	865	± 3.3%	26%	47%	—	26%
Public Policy Polling^[86]	September 30 – October 3, 2011	760	± 3.6%	30%	45%	—	25%

With Henley

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Gardenia Henley (D)	Pat McCrory (R)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling^[83]	March 8–11, 2012	804	± 3.5%	29%	49%	—	22%

With Hagan

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Kay Hagan (D)	Pat McCrory (R)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling^[85]	January 27–29, 2012	554	± 4.2%	41%	48%	—	11%

With Joines

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Allan Joines (D)	Pat McCrory (R)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling^[85]	January 27–29, 2012	554	± 4.2%	30%	50%	—	21%

With McIntyre

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Mike McIntyre (D)	Pat McCrory (R)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling^[85]	January 27–29, 2012	554	± 4.2%	30%	50%	—	20%

With Meeker

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Charles Meeker (D)	Pat McCrory (R)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling^[85]	January 27–29, 2012	554	± 4.2%	29%	49%	—	22%

With Miller

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Brad Miller (D)	Pat McCrory (R)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling^[85]	January 27–29, 2012	554	± 4.2%	35%	49%	—	16%

With Moore

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Richard Moore (D)	Pat McCrory (R)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling^[85]	January 27–29, 2012	554	± 4.2%	36%	47%	—	17%

With Perdue

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Bev Perdue (D)	Renee Ellmers (R)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling^[90]	September 1–4, 2011	520	± 4.3%	45%	35%	—	20%

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Bev Perdue (D)	Tom Fetzer (R)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling^[91]	November 19–21, 2010	517	± 4.3%	40%	42%	—	19%

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Bev Perdue (D)	Pat McCrory (R)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling^[89]	January 5–8, 2012	780	± 3.5%	41%	52%	—	7%
Public Policy Polling^[88]	December 1–4, 2011	865	± 3.3%	40%	50%	—	10%
Public Policy Polling^[92]	October 27–31, 2011	615	± 4.0%	39%	48%	—	13%
Public Policy Polling^[86]	September 30 – October 3, 2011	760	± 3.6%	42%	47%	—	10%
Public Policy Polling^[90]	September 1–4, 2011	520	± 4.3%	41%	45%	—	14%
Public Policy Polling^[93]	August 4–7, 2011	780	± 3.5%	39%	47%	—	14%
Civitas Institute^[94]	July 12–13, 2011	600	± 4.0%	35%	55%	—	8%
Public Policy Polling^[95]	July 7–10, 2011	651	± 3.8%	39%	47%	—	14%
Public Policy Polling^[96]	June 8–11, 2011	563	± 4.1%	39%	45%	—	16%
Public Policy Polling^[97]	May 12–15, 2011	835	± 3.4%	39%	46%	—	15%
Public Policy Polling^[98]	April 14–17, 2011	507	± 4.4%	38%	49%	—	13%
Survey USA^[99]	April 14–15, 2011	500	± 4.5%	39%	51%	5%	4%
Public Policy Polling^[87]	March 17–20, 2011	584	± 4.1%	36%	50%	—	14%
Public Policy Polling^[100]	February 16–21, 2011	650	± 3.8%	37%	49%	—	15%
Public Policy Polling^[101]	January 20–23, 2011	575	± 4.1%	40%	47%	—	14%
Civitas Institute^[102]	December 15–16, 2010	600	± 4.0%	36%	51%	—	12%
Public Policy Polling^[91]	November 19–21, 2010	517	± 4.3%	37%	49%	—	14%
Civitas Institute^[103]	June 15–18, 2010	600	± 4.0%	37%	46%	—	17%

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Bev Perdue (D)	Steve Troxler (R)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling^[90]	September 1–4, 2011	520	± 4.3%	42%	37%	—	22%

With Shuler

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Heath Shuler (D)	Pat McCrory (R)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling^[85]	January 27–29, 2012	554	± 4.2%	31%	48%	—	21%

Results

2012 North Carolina gubernatorial election^[104]
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

Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican

Alleghany (largest town: Sparta)
Beaufort (Largest city: Washington)
Caswell (Largest city: Yanceyville)
Chatham (largest municipality: Siler City)
Chowan (largest municipality: Edenton)
Columbus (largest municipality: Whiteville)
Craven (largest town: New Bern)
Dare (Largest city: Kill Devil Hills)
Duplin (Largest city: Wallace)
Forsyth (largest town: Winston-Salem)
Franklin (Largest city: Wake Forest)
Granville (largest city: Oxford)
Greene (largest municipality: Snow Hill)
Haywood (Largest city: Waynesville)
Hyde (largest community: Ocracoke)
Jackson (largest town: Cullowhee)
Jones (Largest city: Maysville)
Lee (largest municipality: Sanford)
Lenoir (largest town: Kinston)
Madison (Largest city: Mars Hill)
Mecklenburg (Largest city: Charlotte)
Montgomery (Largest city: Troy)
Nash (largest municipality: Rocky Mount)
New Hanover (largest municipality: Wilmington)
Onslow (largest town: Jacksonville)
Pamlico (largest town: Bayboro)
Perquimans (Largest city: Hertford)
Person (largest municipality: Roxboro)
Richmond (largest city: Rockingham)
Rockingham (Largest municipality: Eden)
Sampson (largest municipality: Clinton)
Swain (largest municipality: Cherokee)
Tyrrell (largest municipality: Columbia)
Wake (largest town: Raleigh)
Watauga (Largest city: Boone)
Wayne (largest town: Goldsboro)
Yancey (largest municipality: Burnsville)

By congressional district

McCrory won 10 of the state's 13 congressional districts, including one held by a Democrat.^[105]

District	McCrory	Dalton	Representative
1st	29.35%	69.26%	G. K. Butterfield
2nd	60.13%	37.63%	Renee Ellmers
3rd	59.34%	38.22%	Walter B. Jones Jr.
4th	31.29%	65.74%	David Price
5th	63.66%	34.12%	Virginia Foxx
6th	61.21%	36.51%	Howard Coble
7th	61.37%	36.63%	Mike McIntyre
8th	62.7%	35.59%	Larry Kissell
8th	62.7%	35.59%	Richard Hudson
9th	67.81%	30.47%	Sue Myrick
9th	67.81%	30.47%	Robert Pittenger
10th	61.68%	36.3%	Patrick McHenry
11th	63.14%	34.18%	Heath Shuler
11th	63.14%	34.18%	Mark Meadows
12th	26.85%	71.37%	Mel Watt
13th	59.34%	38.49%	Brad Miller
13th	59.34%	38.49%	George Holding

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 from the original on March 11, 2013.
^ "A Closer Look: Dunn making second run for Governor". wect.com.
^ "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. January 28, 2012.
^ "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.
^ Catanese, David. "Bowles won't run for governor". POLITICO.
^ ^a ^b "Perdue will not seek re-election". WRAL.com. January 26, 2012.
^ Democratic state treasurer won't seek higher office in 2012 | newsobserver.com projects
^ "Cunningham, Dellinger considering NC lieutenant governor's bids as Dalton runs for governor | the Republic". www.therepublic.com. Archived from the original on January 30, 2012.
^ 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.
^ ^a ^b Public Policy Polling
^ ^a ^b Survey USA
^ Public Policy Polling
^ Civitas/Survey USA
^ Public Policy Polling
^ Public Policy Polling
^ Public Policy Polling
^ Public Policy Polling
^ 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 "2016 Election Results: President Live Map by State, Real-Time Voting Updates". Election Hub. Archived from the original on October 27, 2016. Retrieved February 16, 2022.
^ 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.
^ "Baker's dozen seek to succeed Perdue as governor". WRAL.com. February 29, 2012.
^ 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".
^ 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.")
^ "新萄京ag65609com-(天津)有限公司". www.m2mpolitics.com.
^ "North Carolina County Commissioner Jumps Into Race : Roll Call Politics".
^ News & Observer: Agriculture commissioner announces re-election bid
^ Public Policy Polling
^ Public Policy Polling
^ Public Policy Polling
^ ^a ^b Public Policy Polling
^ Public Policy Polling
^ "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. Archived from the original on December 1, 2018. 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
^ Public Policy Polling
^ Public Policy Polling
^ WRAL News/SurveyUSA
^ Elon University Archived October 30, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g Rasmussen Reports
^ Public Policy Polling
^ Public Policy Polling
^ Rasmussen Reports
^ Gravis Marketing
^ Rasmussen Reports
^ Survey USA
^ Public Policy Polling
^ WSJ/NBC News/Marist
^ Civitas
^ Survey USA/Civitas
^ Public Policy Polling
^ Elon Univ./Charlotte Observer
^ Public Policy Polling
^ Civitas
^ Public Policy Polling
^ Survey USA
^ NBC News/Marist
^ Public Policy Polling
^ Survey USA
^ Civitas
^ Public Policy Polling
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Public Policy Polling
^ Civitas
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m Public Policy Polling
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Public Policy Polling
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Public Policy Polling
^ ^a ^b ^c Public Policy Polling
^ ^a ^b Public Policy Polling
^ ^a ^b ^c Public Policy Polling
^ ^a ^b Public Policy Polling
^ Public Policy Polling
^ Public Policy Polling
^ Civitas Institute
^ Public Policy Polling
^ Public Policy Polling
^ Public Policy Polling
^ Public Policy Polling
^ Survey USA
^ Public Policy Polling
^ Public Policy Polling
^ Civitas Institute
^ Civitas Institute
^ "NC SBE Contest Results".
^ "North carolina 2012 gov-by-cd".

External links

North Carolina State Board of Elections

Official campaign websites

[1] News & Observer: 90-year-old physician files in Democratic primary

[2] Dalton makes it official: He will seek governor's office | newsobserver.com projects

[3] "State Board of Elections: candidate filing list". Archived from the original on March 11, 2013.

[4] "A Closer Look: Dunn making second run for Governor". wect.com.

[5] "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.

[6] "Bill Faison announces run for governor". WRAL.com. January 28, 2012.

[7] "Winston-Salem Journal". Archived from the original on February 20, 2012. Retrieved February 21, 2012.

[8] Christensen, Rob (February 28, 2012). "Dan Blue rules out governor's race". The News & Observer. Retrieved February 28, 2012.

[9] Catanese, David. "Bowles won't run for governor". POLITICO.

[WRAL-10] "Perdue will not seek re-election". WRAL.com. January 26, 2012.

[11] Democratic state treasurer won't seek higher office in 2012 | newsobserver.com projects

[12] "Cunningham, Dellinger considering NC lieutenant governor's bids as Dalton runs for governor | the Republic". www.therepublic.com. Archived from the original on January 30, 2012.

[13] News & Observer: Charlotte mayor Anthony Foxx won't run for governor

[14] "VOTE 2012: Hagan not running for governor". WWAY NewsChannel 3. January 30, 2012. Retrieved January 30, 2012.

[15] Graff, Laura (January 30, 2012). "Winston-Salem Mayor Allen Joines won't run for governor". Winston-Salem Journal. Retrieved January 30, 2012.

[16] Burns, Matthew (February 10, 2012). "McIntyre withdraws name from gubernatorial run". WRAL-TV. Retrieved February 10, 2012.

[17] "Brad Miller won't run for governor". News and Observer. February 16, 2012. Retrieved February 16, 2012.

[18] Christensen, Rob (February 24, 2012). "Moore won't run for governor". The News & Observer. Retrieved February 24, 2012.

[19] 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.

[20] Miller, Joshua (January 31, 2012). "North Carolina: Heath Shuler Decides Against Gubernatorial Bid". Roll Call. Retrieved January 31, 2012.

[Public_Policy_Polling-21] Public Policy Polling

[Survey_USA-22] Survey USA

[23] Public Policy Polling

[24] Civitas/Survey USA

[25] Public Policy Polling

[26] Public Policy Polling

[27] Public Policy Polling

[28] Public Policy Polling

[29] News & Observer: Democratic gubernatorial candidates' hopes ride on three nights of debate

[30] News & Observer: Little discord at NC Democratic gubernatorial debate

[31] News & Observer: Democratic gubernatorial debate: Criticism grows sharper

[32] News & Observer: Democratic candidates vow to veto voter ID bills

[autogenerated1-33] "2016 Election Results: President Live Map by State, Real-Time Voting Updates". Election Hub. Archived from the original on October 27, 2016. Retrieved February 16, 2022.

[34] 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.

[35] "Baker's dozen seek to succeed Perdue as governor". WRAL.com. February 29, 2012.

[36] News & Observer: Another Republican candidate for governor

[37] "Pat McCrory '100 percent' in for NC gov race". WRAL-TV. Associated Press. December 19, 2011. Retrieved February 24, 2012.

[tn-38] "Two more Republicans join GOP contest for governor". The Times-News. Associated Press. February 24, 2012. Retrieved February 24, 2012.

[39] "WRAL/Associated Press: Other NC gov candidates still aim for top prize".

[40] Christensen, Rob (January 3, 2010). "Who has the edge in '10? The view from my murky research". The News & Observer. Retrieved December 4, 2010.

[41] 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.")

[42] "新萄京ag65609com-(天津)有限公司". www.m2mpolitics.com.

[43] "North Carolina County Commissioner Jumps Into Race : Roll Call Politics".

[44] News & Observer: Agriculture commissioner announces re-election bid

[45] Public Policy Polling

[46] Public Policy Polling

[47] Public Policy Polling

[publicpolicypolling.com-48] Public Policy Polling

[49] Public Policy Polling

[50] "WCNC.com". Archived from the original on October 1, 2013. Retrieved February 25, 2012.

[51] "2012 Governor Race Ratings for November 1, 2012". The Cook Political Report. Retrieved November 30, 2018.

[52] "PROJECTION: OBAMA WILL LIKELY WIN SECOND TERM". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Archived from the original on December 1, 2018. Retrieved November 30, 2018.

[53] "2012 Gubernatorial Ratings". Gubernatorial Ratings. The Rothenberg Political Report. Retrieved November 30, 2018.

[54] "2012 Elections Map - 2012 Governor Races". Real Clear Politics. Retrieved November 30, 2018.

[55] Associated Press/News & Observer

[56] News & Observer

[57] Public Policy Polling

[58] Public Policy Polling

[59] WRAL News/SurveyUSA

[60] Elon University Archived October 30, 2012, at the Wayback Machine

[Rasmussen_Reports-61] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g Rasmussen Reports

[62] Public Policy Polling

[63] Public Policy Polling

[64] Rasmussen Reports

[65] Gravis Marketing

[66] Rasmussen Reports

[67] Survey USA

[68] Public Policy Polling

[69] WSJ/NBC News/Marist

[70] Civitas

[71] Survey USA/Civitas

[72] Public Policy Polling

[73] Elon Univ./Charlotte Observer

[74] Public Policy Polling

[75] Civitas

[76] Public Policy Polling

[77] Survey USA

[78] NBC News/Marist

[79] Public Policy Polling

[80] Survey USA

[81] Civitas

[82] Public Policy Polling

[ReferenceA-83] Public Policy Polling

[84] Civitas

[ReferenceB-85] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m Public Policy Polling

[ReferenceC-86] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Public Policy Polling

[ReferenceD-87] Public Policy Polling

[ReferenceE-88] Public Policy Polling

[ReferenceF-89] Public Policy Polling

[ReferenceG-90] Public Policy Polling

[ReferenceH-91] Public Policy Polling

[92] Public Policy Polling

[93] Public Policy Polling

[94] Civitas Institute

[95] Public Policy Polling

[96] Public Policy Polling

[97] Public Policy Polling

[98] Public Policy Polling

[99] Survey USA

[100] Public Policy Polling

[101] Public Policy Polling

[102] Civitas Institute

[103] Civitas Institute

[104] "NC SBE Contest Results".

[105] "North carolina 2012 gov-by-cd".

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v t e (2011 ←) 2012 United States elections (→ 2013)
U.S. President	Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Guam (straw poll)
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U.S. House (Election ratings)	Alabama Alaska American Samoa Arizona 8th sp Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Guam Hawaii Idaho Illinois 2nd sp Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky 4th sp Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan 11th 11th sp Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey 10th sp New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Northern Mariana Islands Ohio Oklahoma Oregon 1st sp Pennsylvania Puerto Rico Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia U.S. Virgin Islands Washington 1st sp West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming
Governors	American Samoa Delaware Lt. Gov Indiana Missouri Lt. Gov Montana New Hampshire North Carolina Lt. Gov North Dakota Puerto Rico Utah Vermont Washington West Virginia Wisconsin (recall)
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Other statewide elections	Wisconsin Lieutenant Governor (recall)
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Democratic primary

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Declined

Polling

Debates

Results

Republican primary

Candidates

Declined

Polling

Results

General election

Candidates

Predictions

Debates

Polling

Results

Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican

By congressional district

See also

References

External links