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.
Incumbent Democratic Governor Bev Perdue was eligible to run for re-election, but announced on January 26, 2012 that she would not seek a second term. Incumbent lieutenant governor Walter 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. McCory also outperformed (by 9.35%) Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney’s victory margin in the concurrent presidential race.
Libertarian nominee Barbara Howe took 2% of the vote. When McCrory was inaugurated as the 74th governor of North Carolina on January 5, 2013, he became the state's first Republican governor since 1993 and the Republicans held complete control of state government for the first time since 1871. As of , 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.
Democratic primary
Candidates Bruce Blackmon, physicianNews & Observer: 90-year-old physician files in Democratic primary Walter Dalton, lieutenant governorDalton makes it official: He will seek governor's office | newsobserver.com projects Gary M. Dunn, salesman and UNC-Charlotte student Bob Etheridge, former U.S. representative Bill Faison, state representative Gardenia Henley, retired U.S. Agency for International Development auditor
Declined Dan Blue, state senator Erskine Bowles, chairman of the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform, former UNC System president, former White House chief of staff Roy Cooper, attorney general of North Carolina Janet Cowell, state treasurerDemocratic state treasurer won't seek higher office in 2012 | newsobserver.com projects Cal Cunningham, former state senator Anthony Foxx, mayor of CharlotteNews & Observer: Charlotte mayor Anthony Foxx won't run for governor Kay Hagan, U.S. senator Jim Hunt, former governor Allen Joines, mayor of Winston-Salem Mike McIntyre, U.S. representative Brad Miller, U.S. representative Richard H. Moore, former North Carolina state treasurer and candidate for governor in 2008 Bev Perdue, incumbent governor Heath Shuler, U.S. representative
Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror BruceBlackmon WalterDalton GaryDunn BobEtheridge BillFaison GardeniaHenley UndecidedPublic Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling May 5–6, 2012 500 ± 3.1% 2% 34% 4% 29% 4% 4% 24%Survey USASurvey USA April 26–30, 2012 560 ± 4.2% 2% 32% 5% 23% 5% 3% 30%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling April 27–29, 2012 500 ± 4.4% 3% 36% 2% 26% 5% 3% 25%Civitas/Survey USACivitas/Survey USA April 20–23, 2012 448 ± 4.7% 3% 32% 3% 27% 4% 2% 27%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling April 20–22, 2012 500 ± 4.4% 4% 26% 4% 25% 5% 2% 35%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling March 23–25, 2012 505 ± 4.4% 5% 15% 4% 26% 3% 2% 45%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling February 29 – March 1, 2012 499 ± 4.4% 5% 19% 2% 26% 2% 4% 41%
Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror DanBlue WalterDalton BobEtheridge BillFaison MikeMcIntyre BradMiller RichardMoore UndecidedPublic Policy PollingPublic 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.News & Observer: Democratic gubernatorial candidates' hopes ride on three nights of debate The first debate, conducted by WRAL-TV and broadcast statewide, featured few differences between the candidates, but Faison was seen as the aggressor.News & Observer: Little discord at NC Democratic gubernatorial debate 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.News & Observer: Democratic gubernatorial debate: Criticism grows sharper 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.News & Observer: Democratic candidates vow to veto voter ID bills
Results
Republican primary
Candidates Jim Harney, businessman Scott Jones, businessman Jim Mahan, small businessman and former teacherNews & Observer: Another Republican candidate for governor Pat McCrory, former mayor of Charlotte and nominee for governor in 2008 Charles Kenneth Moss, businessman and preacher Paul Wright, attorney and former District Court and Superior Court judge
Declined Phil Berger, state senate president pro tem Cherie Berry, state labor commissioner (running for re-election)Daily Herald: N.C. labor commissioner: Focus is safety ("Berry, who was first elected to the position she occupies in 2000...plans to seek re-election in 2012.") Peter Brunstetter, state senator Paul Coble, former mayor of Raleigh and current chairman of the Wake County Board of Commissioners (running for Congress) Steve Troxler, state agriculture commissioner (running for re-election)News & Observer: Agriculture commissioner announces re-election bid
Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror JimHarney ScottJones JimMahan PatMcCrory CharlesMoss PaulWright UndecidedPublic 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 PollingPublic Policy Polling April 27–29, 2012 486 ± 4.4% 4% 2% 2% 66% 0% 2% 24%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling April 20–22, 2012 521 ± 4.3% 3% 1% 2% 67% 1% 2% 23%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling March 22–25, 2012 561 ± 4.1% 2% 1% 3% 64% 2% 0% 28%
Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror PatMcCrory Someone more Other UndecidedPublic Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling September 1–4, 2011 400 ± 4.9% 40% 46% — 15%
Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror PhilBerger CherieBerry TomFetzer VirginiaFoxx PatMcCrory PatrickMcHenry SueMyrick FredSmith Other/UndecidedPublic Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling November 19–21, 2010 400 ± 4.9% 2% 3% 12% 11% 37% 3% 6% 4% 22%
Results
General election
Candidates Walter Dalton (D), lieutenant governor Barbara Howe (L), nominee for governor in 2000 and 2004 Pat McCrory (R), former mayor of Charlotte and nominee for governor in 2008
Predictions Source Ranking As of The Cook Political Report November 1, 2012 Sabato's Crystal Ball November 5, 2012 Rothenberg Political Report November 2, 2012 Real Clear Politics 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.Associated Press/News & Observer 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."News & Observer
Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror WalterDalton (D) PatMcCrory (R) BarbaraHowe (L) Other UndecidedPublic Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling November 3–4, 2012 926 ± 3.2% 43% 50% 4% — 3%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling October 29–31, 2012 730 ± 3.6% 39% 50% 4% — 7%WRAL News/SurveyUSAWRAL News/SurveyUSA October 26–29, 2012 682 ± 3.8% 36% 53% — — 11%Elon UniversityElon University October 21–26, 2012 1,238 ± 2.8% 38% 52% — 2% 8%Rasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports October 25, 2012 500 ± 4.5% 35% 54% — 1% 10%Public Policy PollingPublic 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 PollingPublic Policy Polling October 12–14, 2012 1,084 ± 3% 37% 47% 5% — 11%Rasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports October 9, 2012 500 ± 4.5% 38% 52% — — 10%Gravis MarketingGravis Marketing October 6–8, 2012 1,325 ± 2.9% 33% 50% — — 17%Rasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports October 2, 2012 500 ± 4.5% 38% 54% — 1% 7%Survey USASurvey USA September 29 – October 1, 2012 573 ± 4.2% 39% 51% 3% — 7%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling September 27–30, 2012 981 ± 3.1% 37% 47% 5% — 10%WSJ/NBC News/MaristWSJ/NBC News/Marist September 23–25, 2012 1,035 ± 3.4% 39% 52% — — 8%CivitasCivitas September 18–19, 2012 600 ± 4% 38% 49% 3% — 10%Rasmussen Reports September 13, 2012 500 ± 3.4% 38% 51% 1% — 10%Survey USA/CivitasSurvey USA/Civitas September 4–6, 2012 500 ± 3.4% 39% 55% 4% — 29%Public Policy PollingPublic 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 PollingPublic 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%CivitasCivitas July 16–18, 2012 600 ± 4% 37% 47% 6% — 4%Public Policy PollingPublic 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/MaristNBC News/Marist June 24–25, 2012 1,019 ± 3.1% 41% 43% — — 17%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling June 7–10, 2012 810 ± 3.4% 40% 47% — — 13%Survey USASurvey USA May 18–21, 2012 524 ± 4.4% 39% 44% 7% — 10%CivitasCivitas May 19–20, 2012 600 ± 4% 38% 48% — — 12%Rasmussen Reports May 14, 2012 500 ± 4.5% 41% 50% — 1% 8%Public Policy PollingPublic 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 PollingPublic Policy Polling March 8–11, 2012 804 ± 3.5% 35% 46% — — 19%CivitasCivitas February 27–28, 2012 600 ± 4% 29% 49% — — 22%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling January 27–29, 2012 554 ± 4.2% 35% 50% — — 15%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling September 30 – October 3, 2011 760 ± 3.6% 32% 46% — — 23%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling March 17–20, 2011 584 ± 4.1% 27% 47% — — 26%
Democratic primary polling with Perdue