The 2012 New Hampshire gubernatorial election took place on November 6, 2012, concurrently with the 2012 U.S. presidential election, U.S. House elections, and various state and local elections.
Four-term incumbent governor John Lynch was eligible to seek a fifth term. In the fall of 2011, Lynch announced that he would retire rather than run for re-election. On September 11, 2012, Democrat Maggie Hassan and Republican Ovide Lamontagne defeated primary opponents to win their parties' nominations. Hassan won the election while carrying every county in the state and began the two-year term on January 3, 2013.New Hampshire
Democratic primary
Candidates Jackie Cilley, former state Senator Maggie Hassan, former majority leader of the New Hampshire Senate Bill Kennedy, firefighter and retired Air Force officer
Declined Mark Connolly, former director of the New Hampshire's Bureau of Securities Regulation Tom Ferrini, mayor of Portsmouth Gary Hirshberg, chairman and former CEO of Stonyfield Farm John Lynch, incumbent governor Steve Marchand, former mayor of Portsmouth Phil McLaughlin, former state Attorney General Terry Shumaker, lawyer and former United States Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago
Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror JackieCilley MaggieHassan Other UndecidedPublic Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling August 9–12, 2012 400 ± 4.9% 24% 30% — 46%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling May 10–13, 2012 477 ± 4.5% 20% 23% — 57%
Results
Republican primary
Candidates Ovide M. Lamontagne, attorney, 1992 congressional candidate, nominee for governor in 1996 and candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2010 Kevin H. Smith, conservative activist and former state Representative Robert Tarr
Declined Bill Binnie, businessman and candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2010 Jeb Bradley, New Hampshire Senate Majority Leader and former U.S. Representative Peter Bragdon, state Senate President Ted Gatsas, Mayor of Manchester Steve Kenda, businessman John Lyons, chairman of the New Hampshire Board of Education John Stephen, former Health and Human Services Commissioner and Republican nominee for governor in 2010
Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror OvideLamontagne KevinSmith Other UndecidedPublic Policy Polling August 9–12, 2012 662 ± 3.8% 49% 21% — 30%Public Policy Polling May 10–13, 2012 555 ± 4.2% 53% 13% — 34%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling January 7–8, 2012 1,771 ± 2.3% 40% 12% — 48%
Results
General election
Candidates John Babiarz (Libertarian), businessman and party nominee for governor in 2000, 2002, and 2010 Maggie Hassan (D), former majority leader of the New Hampshire Senate Ovide Lamontagne (R), attorney, Republican nominee for governor in 1996, and candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2010
Debates Complete video of debate, C-SPAN, September 14, 2012 Complete video of debate, C-SPAN, October 8, 2012
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
Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror MaggieHassan (D) Ovide Other UndecidedRasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports November 4, 2012 750 ± 4% 50% 45% 1% 4%New England CollegeNew England College November 3–4, 2012 666 ± 4.1% 47% 45% 1% 7%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling November 3–4, 2012 1,550 ± 2.5% 51% 47% — 2%WMUR/University of New HampshireWMUR/University of New Hampshire November 1–4, 2012 789 ± 3.5% 54% 43% 3% —WMUR/University of New HampshireWMUR/University of New Hampshire October 31–November 2, 2012 502 ± 4.4% 47% 42% 3% 8%NBC/WSJ/MaristNBC/WSJ/Marist October 28–29, 2012 1013 ± 3.1% 49% 44% 1% 6%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling October 26–28, 2012 874 ± 3.3% 48% 44% — 8%New England CollegeNew England College October 23–25, 2012 571 ± 4.1% 45% 45% 1% 9%Rasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports October 23, 2012 500 ± 4.5% 46% 48% 1% 5%WMUR/University of New HampshireWMUR/University of New Hampshire October 17–21, 2012 773 ± 3.5% 43% 35% 3% 18%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling October 17–19, 2012 1,036 ± 3.0% 45% 43% — 12%Rasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports October 15, 2012 500 ± 4.5% 46% 48% — 5%Suffolk University/7NEWSSuffolk University/7NEWS October 12–14, 2012 500 ± 4.4% 41% 38% 4% 16%American Research GroupAmerican Research Group October 9–11, 2012 600 ± 4% 40% 46% 3% 11%Rasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports October 9, 2012 500 ± 4.5% 48% 46% — 5%WMUR/University of New HampshireWMUR/University of New Hampshire October 1–6, 2012 419 ± 4.8% 35% 39% 3% 23%WMUR/University of New HampshireWMUR/University of New Hampshire September 27–30, 2012 600 ± 4.0% 38% 36% 2% 25%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling September 24–25, 2012 862 ± 3.3% 51% 44% — 5%NBC/The Wall Street Journal/Marist CollegeNBC/Wall Street Journal/Marist College September 23–25, 2012 1012 ± 3.1% 47% 45% 1% 7%Greenberg Quinlan RosnerGreenberg Quinlan Rosner September 15–19, 2012 600 ± 4.9% 48% 46% — 6%Rasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports September 18, 2012 500 ± 4.5% 44% 48% 2% 7%Public Policy Polling August 9–12, 2012 1,055 ± 3.0% 45% 43% — 12%WMUR/University of New HampshireWMUR/University of New Hampshire August 1–12, 2012 555 ± 4.2% 31% 33% 1% 35%Rasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports June 20, 2012 500 ± 4.5% 36% 42% — 22%Public Policy Polling May 10–13, 2012 1,163 ± 2.9% 39% 40% — 21%WMUR/University of New HampshireWMUR/University of New Hampshire April 9–20, 2012 486 ± 4.4% 34% 29% 1% 36%WMUR/University of New HampshireWMUR/University of New Hampshire January 25–February 2, 2012 495 ± 4.4% 26% 32% 1% 41%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling June 30–July 5, 2011 662 ± 3.8% 35% 41% — 24%
With Cilley Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror JackieCilley (D) OvideLamontagne (R) Other UndecidedPublic Policy Polling August 9–12, 2012 1,055 ± 3.0% 42% 42% — 16%WMUR/University of New Hampshire August 1–12, 2012 555 ± 4.2% 31% 35% 1% 33%Rasmussen Reports June 20, 2012 500 ± 4.5% 39% 41% — 20%Public Policy Polling May 10–13, 2012 1,163 ± 2.9% 38% 38% — 24%WMUR/University of New Hampshire April 9–20, 2012 486 ± 4.4% 31% 30% 1% 38%
Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror JackieCilley (D) KevinSmith (R) Other UndecidedPublic Policy Polling August 9–12, 2012 1,055 ± 3.0% 39% 38% — 23%WMUR/University of New Hampshire August 1–12, 2012 555 ± 4.2% 31% 28% 1% 39%Rasmussen Reports June 20, 2012 500 ± 4.5% 39% 37% — 24%Public Policy Polling May 10–13, 2012 1,163 ± 2.9% 37% 32% — 31%WMUR/University of New Hampshire April 9–20, 2012 486 ± 4.4% 30% 23% 1% 47%
With Smith Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror MaggieHassan (D) KevinSmith (R) Other UndecidedPublic Policy Polling August 9–12, 2012 1,055 ± 3.0% 42% 39% — 20%WMUR/University of New Hampshire August 1–12, 2012 555 ± 4.2% 31% 29% 1% 39%Rasmussen Reports June 20, 2012 500 ± 4.5% 36% 39% — 25%Public Policy Polling May 10–13, 2012 1,163 ± 2.9% 37% 31% — 32%WMUR/University of New Hampshire April 9–20, 2012 486 ± 4.4% 29% 24% 1% 46%
With Kennedy Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror BillKennedy (D) OvideLamontagne (R) Other UndecidedWMUR/University of New Hampshire August 1–12, 2012 555 ± 4.2% 29% 35% 1% 36%
Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror BillKennedy (D) KevinSmith (R) Other UndecidedWMUR/University of New Hampshire August 1–12, 2012 555 ± 4.2% 27% 29% 1% 44%
With Bradley Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror MarkConnolly (D) JebBradley (R) Other UndecidedPublic Policy Polling June 30-July 5, 2011 662 ± 3.8% 30% 38% — 31%
Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror MaggieHassan (D) JebBradley (R) Other UndecidedPublic Policy Polling June 30-July 5, 2011 662 ± 3.8% 33% 39% — 28%
Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror SteveMarchand (D) JebBradley (R) Other UndecidedPublic Policy Polling June 30-July 5, 2011 662 ± 3.8% 32% 38% — 31%
With Connolly Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror MarkConnolly (D) OvideLamontagne (R) Other UndecidedPublic Policy Polling June 30-July 5, 2011 662 ± 3.8% 34% 40% — 26%
Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror MarkConnolly (D) JohnStephen (R) Other UndecidedPublic Policy Polling June 30-July 5, 2011 662 ± 3.8% 36% 36% — 28%
Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror MarkConnolly (D) John E.Sununu (R) Other UndecidedPublic Policy Polling June 30-July 5, 2011 662 ± 3.8% 36% 44% — 20%
With Gatsas Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror MaggieHassan (D) TedGatsas (R) Other UndecidedWMUR/University of New Hampshire January 25-February 2, 2012 495 ± 4.4% 27% 29% 1% 43%
With Lynch Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror JohnLynch (D) JebBradley (R) Other UndecidedPublic Policy Polling June 30-July 5, 2011 662 ± 3.8% 54% 35% — 11%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling March 31-April 3, 2011 769 ± 3.5% 57% 33% — 10%
Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror JohnLynch (D) OvideLamontagne (R) Other UndecidedPublic Policy Polling June 30-July 5, 2011 662 ± 3.8% 54% 36% — 10%Public Policy Polling March 31-April 3, 2011 769 ± 3.5% 57% 33% — 10%
Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror JohnLynch (D) JohnStephen (R) Other UndecidedPublic Policy Polling June 30-July 5, 2011 662 ± 3.8% 55% 34% — 11%Public Policy Polling March 31-April 3, 2011 769 ± 3.5% 57% 29% — 14%
Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror JohnLynch (D) John E.Sununu (R) Other UndecidedPublic Policy Polling June 30-July 5, 2011 662 ± 3.8% 51% 40% — 8%Public Policy Polling March 31-April 3, 2011 769 ± 3.5% 54% 36% — 11%
With Marchand Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror SteveMarchand (D) OvideLamontagne (R) Other UndecidedPublic Policy Polling June 30-July 5, 2011 662 ± 3.8% 33% 40% — 27%
Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror SteveMarchand (D) JohnStephen (R) Other UndecidedPublic Policy Polling June 30-July 5, 2011 662 ± 3.8% 34% 36% — 30%
Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror SteveMarchand (D) John E.Sununu (R) Other UndecidedPublic Policy Polling June 30-July 5, 2011 662 ± 3.8% 35% 44% — 21%
With Stephen Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror MaggieHassan (D) JohnStephen (R) Other UndecidedPublic Policy Polling June 30-July 5, 2011 662 ± 3.8% 36% 37% — 27%
With Sununu Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror MaggieHassan (D) John E.Sununu (R) Other UndecidedPublic Policy Polling June 30-July 5, 2011 662 ± 3.8% 36% 45% — 19%
Results
By county 2014 Senate election results in New Hampshire (by county) County Maggie HassanDemocratic Ovide LamontagneRepublican Other votes # % # % # %Belknap 16,75650.3%15,70247.1%8462.6%Carroll 14,33951.4%12,89346.2%6792.5%Cheshire 25,13663.0%13,49033.8%1,2693.2%Coös 8,92958.0%6,06939.4%4002.6%Grafton 29,41261.9%16,47634.7%1,6343.4%Hillsborough 104,54752.0%90,62145.1%5,9423.0%Merrimack 46,03758.2%31,12739.3%1,9722.5%Rockingham 84,28750.8%77,09546.5%4,5022.7%Strafford 37,12059.5%23,38737.5%1,8833.0%Sullivan 12,37158.0%8,16638.3%7903.7% Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic Rockingham (largest municipality: Derry)
By congressional district Hassan won both congressional districts.
District Hassan Lamontagne Representative 52.98% 44.43%Carol Shea-Porter 56.38% 40.66%Annie Kuster
References
External links Election Division at the New Hampshire Secretary of State
Official campaign websites John Babiarz for Governor Jackie Cilley for Governor Maggie Hassan for Governor Ovide Lamontagne for Governor Kevin Smith for Governor Robert Tarr for Governor