United States gubernatorial elections were held in 12 states (including a

recall election A recall election (also called a recall referendum, recall petition or representative recall) is a procedure by which, in certain polities, voters can remove an elected official from office through a referendum before that official's term of offi ...

Wisconsin Wisconsin () is a state in the upper Midwestern United States. Wisconsin is the 25th-largest state by total area and the 20th-most populous. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake M ...

on June 5) and two territories. Of the eight Democratic and four Republican seats contested, only that of

North Carolina North Carolina () is a state in the Southeastern region of the United States. The state is the 28th largest and 9th-most populous of the United States. It is bordered by Virginia to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, Georgia and So ...

changed party hands, giving the Republicans a net gain of one governorship. These elections (except for

) coincided with the

presidential election A presidential election is the election of any head of state whose official title is President. Elections by country Albania The president of Albania is elected by the Assembly of Albania who are elected by the Albanian public. Chile The pre ...

on November 6, 2012. As of , this is the last time that Republicans won a gubernatorial election in North Carolina, and Democrats won one in Missouri.

Election predictions

Race summary

States

Territories

Closest races

States where the margin of victory was under 1%: # Puerto Rico, 0.60% States where the margin of victory was under 5%: # Montana, 1.56% # Indiana, 2.93% # Washington, 3.07% # West Virginia, 4.84% States where the margin of victory was under 10%: # American Samoa, 5.88% # Wisconsin, 6.80% Red denotes states won by Republicans. Blue denotes states won by Democrats. Grey denotes states won by Independents.

Delaware

Governor A governor is an administrative leader and head of a polity or political region, ranking under the head of state and in some cases, such as governors-general, as the head of state's official representative. Depending on the type of political ...

Jack Markell ran for re-election. His Republican challenger was Jeff Cragg. Markell eventually won the election.

Indiana

Mitch Daniels was term-limited in 2012.

Mike Pence Michael Richard Pence (born June 7, 1959) is an American politician who served as the 48th vice president of the United States from 2017 to 2021 under President Donald Trump. A member of the Republican Party, he previously served as the 50th ...

, 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. 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. Former state House Speaker

John R. Gregg John Richard Gregg (born September 6, 1954) is an American politician, businessman and attorney who served as the 85th and longest-serving Democratic speaker of the Indiana House of Representatives from 1996 to 2003. He served in the Indiana Ho ...

was unopposed for the Democratic Party's nomination. Former Survivor contestant and founder of the

Rupert's Kids Rupert Frederick Boneham (; born January 27, 1964) is an American mentor for troubled teens, who became known to reality television audiences in 2003 as a contestant on '' Survivor: Pearl Islands'' where he placed eighth. He later appeared on the ...

charity

Rupert Boneham Rupert Frederick Boneham (; born January 27, 1964) is an American mentor for troubled teens, who became known to reality television audiences in 2003 as a contestant on '' Survivor: Pearl Islands'' where he placed eighth. He later appeared on the ...

ran as the

Libertarian Party Active parties by country Defunct parties by country Organizations associated with Libertarian parties See also * Liberal parties by country * List of libertarian organizations * Lists of political parties * Outline of libertarianism ...

candidate. Pence narrowly defeated Gregg with 49.9% of the vote to Gregg's 46.56%. Boneham received 3.95% of the vote.

Missouri

Jay Nixon sought re-election. Dave Spence, a businessman from St. Louis, won the Republican nomination over attorney

Bill Randles The 2012 Missouri gubernatorial election was held on November 6, 2012, to elect the List of Governors of Missouri, Governor of Missouri. Incumbent Democratic Governor Jay Nixon won re-election against the Republican nominee, businessman Dave Spe ...

in the August 7, 2012 primary. Jim Higgins is the Libertarian candidate. Nixon eventually won the general election over Spence and Higgins. The

Lieutenant Governor A lieutenant governor, lieutenant-governor, or vice governor is a high officer of state, whose precise role and rank vary by jurisdiction. Often a lieutenant governor is the deputy, or lieutenant, to or ranked under a governor — a "second-in-comm ...

is elected separately.

Montana

Brian Schweitzer was term-limited in 2012. The declared Democratic primary candidates were

state Senator A state senator is a member of a state's senate in the bicameral legislature of 49 U.S. states, or a member of the unicameral Nebraska Legislature. Description A state senator is a member of an upper house in the bicameral legislatures of 49 U ...

Larry Jent and state Attorney General

Steve Bullock Steve, Steven, or Stephen Bullock may refer to: *Steve Bullock (British politician) (born 1953), first directly elected mayor of the London Borough of Lewisham *Steve Bullock (American politician) (born 1966), 24th Governor of Montana (2013–2021) ...

. The declared Republican primary candidates included

Chouteau County Chouteau County is a county located in the North-Central region of the U.S. state of Montana. As of the 2020 census, the population was 5,895. Its county seat is Fort Benton. The county was established in 1865 as one of the original nine count ...

commissioner Jim O'Hara, former state Senators

Corey Stapleton Corey Stapleton (born September 17, 1967) is an American politician and musician who served as the Secretary of State of Montana from 2017 to 2021. A Republican, he served as a member of the Montana State Senate from 2001 to 2009. In 2020, Stapl ...

and Ken Miller, terrorism and national security analyst Neil Livingstone, former Congressman

Rick Hill Richard Hill (born December 30, 1946) is an American politician and businessman who served as a member of the United States House of Representatives from Montana. He was the Republican nominee for Governor of Montana in 2012. Early life and e ...

, and Truck driver Keith Winkler. Steve Bullock and Rick Hill won their respective primaries. Bullock defeated Hill and Libertarian Ron Vandevender in the general election.

New Hampshire

John Lynch retired rather than running for re-election. 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. Hassan eventually won the general election.

New Hampshire New Hampshire is a U.S. state, state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Massachusetts to the south, Vermont to the west, Maine and the Gulf of Maine to the east, and the Canadian province of Quebec t ...

does not have a position of Lieutenant Governor.

North Carolina

Beverly Perdue Beverly Eaves Perdue (born Beverly Marlene Moore; January 14, 1947) is an American businesswoman, politician, and member of the Democratic Party (United States), Democratic Party who served as the List of governors of North Carolina, 73rd Govern ...

retired rather than run for re-election. Potential Democratic candidates included Lt. Gov.

Walter H. Dalton Walter H. Dalton (born May 21, 1949) is an American attorney and politician who served as the 33rd Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina. A member of the Democratic Party, he served six terms in the state senate before his election to the office o ...

and state Rep.

Bill Faison Bill Faison is a former member of the North Carolina House of Representatives who represented the 50th district from 2005 to 2013. He is a member of the Democratic Party (United States), Democratic Party. Early life, education, and early care ...

. Potential Republican candidates included former Mayor of

Charlotte Charlotte ( ) is the List of municipalities in North Carolina, most populous city in the U.S. state of North Carolina. Located in the Piedmont (United States), Piedmont region, it is the county seat of Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, Meckl ...

Pat McCrory Patrick Lloyd McCrory (born October 17, 1956) is an American businessman, politician and radio host who served as the 74th governor of North Carolina from 2013 to 2017. A member of the Republican Party, he previously served as the 53rd Mayor o ...

(the 2008 Republican nominee for Governor); Nido Qubein, President of High Point University;

Tom Fetzer Thomas Harrison Fetzer Jr. is an American politician and lobbyist who served three two-year terms as Mayor of Raleigh, North Carolina from 1993 to 1999. He was chairman of the North Carolina Republican Party from 2009 to 2011. Early life Tom Fe ...

, former Mayor of Raleigh; and former state Senator Fred Smith. Dalton and McCrory won their respective primaries, and McCrory eventually won the general election. The

Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina The lieutenant governor of North Carolina is the second-highest elected official in the U.S. state of North Carolina and is the only elected official to have powers in both the legislative and executive branches of state government. A member o ...

was elected separately.

North Dakota

Jack Dalrymple succeeded John Hoeven after the latter was elected Senator and ran for a full term in 2012.

Drew Wrigley Drew Howard Wrigley (born October 10, 1965) is an American attorney, lawyer, and politician from North Dakota. Wrigley currently serves as the attorney general of North Dakota after being appointed to the position by Governor Doug Burgum followin ...

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. Dalrymple eventually won the general election.

Utah

Gary Herbert, who won the 2010 gubernatorial special election to finish his predecessor's unfinished term, ran for a full four-year term in 2012. Democrat Peter Cooke, a businessman and retired major general, opposed him. The Libertarian candidate was medical researcher Ken Larson, and the Constitution party candidate was Kirk D. Pearson. Herbert eventually won the general election.

Vermont

Peter Shumlin Peter Elliott Shumlin (born March 24, 1956) is an American politician from Vermont. A member of the Democratic Party, he served as the 81st governor of Vermont from 2011 to 2017. He was first elected to the office in 2010, and was reelected to a ...

, the victor of the Vermont gubernatorial election of 2010, ran for re-election in 2012. His Republican challenger was state Senator

Randy Brock Randolph D. "Randy" Brock III (born September 28, 1943) is an American politician from the state of Vermont and a member of the Republican Party (United States), Republican Party. He currently serves in the Vermont Senate and is the first Africa ...

. Shumlin later won the general election. The

was elected separately.

Washington

Christine Gregoire retired rather than run for re-election. U.S. Representative

Jay Inslee Jay Robert Inslee (; born February 9, 1951) is an American politician, lawyer, and economist who has served as the 23rd governor of Washington since 2013. A member of the Democratic Party, he served as a member of the U.S. House of Representat ...

is the only declared Democratic candidate. Other potential Democratic candidates including state Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown, King County Executive Dow Constantine, state Treasurer

Jim McIntire James McIntire was a gunfighter and Texas Ranger in the old west of the United States. He is best known for his autobiography, written in 1902 following a near death experience. The biography, ''Early Days in Texas: A Trip Through Hell and Heaven ...

, Auditor General

Brian Sonntag Brian S. Sonntag (born December 28, 1951) was the ninth Washington State Auditor. He served five terms, from 1993 until his retirement in 2013. He is a Democrat. Personal Sonntag was born in 1951 in Tacoma, Washington. He attended Tacoma Commun ...

, and Snohomish County Executive

Aaron Reardon Aaron Reardon may refer to: * Aaron Reardon (politician) Aaron G. Reardon is an American politician and lobbyist who served as the Snohomish County Executive from 2004 to 2013. First elected to the post in 2003, Reardon was sworn in as the youn ...

have declined to run, or endorsed Inslee. 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.D.C.'s Political Report: Washington Congressional and Statewide Races
Dcpoliticalreport.com (2010-11-15). Retrieved on November 20, 2010. U.S. Representative Dave Reichert decided against a bid, and threw his support to McKenna. Inslee eventually won the general election. The

will be elected separately.

West Virginia

The Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia ruled on January 18, 2011 that the state must hold a special gubernatorial election in 2011 to fill the vacancy resulting from Joe Manchin's election to the

United States Senate The United States Senate is the upper chamber of the United States Congress, with the House of Representatives being the lower chamber. Together they compose the national bicameral legislature of the United States. The composition and pow ...

. The special election occurred October 4, 2011 with state Senate President and acting Governor

Earl Ray Tomblin Earl Ray Tomblin (born March 15, 1952) is an American politician who served as the 35th governor of West Virginia from 2011 to 2017. A member of the Democratic Party, he previously served in the West Virginia Senate from 1980 to 2011 and as pres ...

won the election. Tomblin was eligible to run for a full term in 2012. Tomblin's 2011 Republican opponent, businessman

Bill Maloney Bill Maloney is an American businessman and politician. He was a two-time candidate for the governorship of West Virginia. He was the Republican nominee in the 2011 West Virginia gubernatorial special election, in which he lost by 7,546 votes, a ...

, eventually became the Republican nominee. Tomblin later won the election. David Moran was the Libertarian candidate. The

is elected by the State Senate.

Wisconsin (recall)

Scott 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. 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.Post-primary poll: Walker leads Barrett by 5 points
/ref> Walker defeated Barrett by seven percentage points, becoming the first governor in U.S. history to survive a recall election.

Territories

American Samoa

Togiola Tulafono Togiola Talalelei A. Tulafono (born February 28, 1947) is an American Samoan politician and lawyer who served as the 6th Governor of American Samoa. He is a member of the Democratic Party. He had previously served as lieutenant governor, taking t ...

, 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 American Samoa Community College (ASCC) is a public land-grant community college in the village of Mapusaga, American Samoa. Only legal residents of American Samoa who have graduated from high school or obtained a General Equivalency Diploma ...

, Salu Hunkin-Finau; businessman Timothy Jones; former

Attorney General In most common law jurisdictions, the attorney general or attorney-general (sometimes abbreviated AG or Atty.-Gen) is the main legal advisor to the government. The plural is attorneys general. In some jurisdictions, attorneys general also have exec ...

Afoa Moega Lutu Afoafouvale Leulumoegafou Suesue Lutu (born February 24, 1947) is an American Samoan politician and attorney. Lutu has served as the former attorney general of American Samoa in two different administrations. He is also a former senator from the d ...

; former President of the Development Bank of American Samoa,

Lolo Letalu Matalasi Moliga Lolo Letalu Matalasi (born August 12, 1947) is an American Samoan politician, educator, and businessman. He served as the 7th Governor of American Samoa, from 2013 to 2021. Early life and education Moliga was born in Taʻū, Manu'a, American ...

;

Faoa Aitofele Sunia Faoa Aitofele Toese Fiti Sunia (born March 27, 1943), formerly known by the title of Ipulasi Aitofele Sunia, is an American Samoan lawyer and politician. Sunia has served as the Lieutenant Governor of American Samoa from April 11, 2003 to January ...

; and former

High Court of American Samoa The High Court of American Samoa is a Samoan court and the highest court below the United States Supreme Court in American Samoa. The Court is located in the capital of Fagatogo. It consists of one chief justice and one associate justice, appo ...

justice Save Liuato Tuitele. Moliga eventually won the general election.

Puerto Rico

Luis Fortuño ( PNP/R) ran for re-election. Fortuño had been mentioned as a long-shot potential Republican nominee for President or Vice President in 2012. However, he announced on June 26, 2011 that he would run for re-election instead of seeking the Presidency.

Senator A senate is a deliberative assembly, often the upper house or chamber of a bicameral legislature. The name comes from the ancient Roman Senate (Latin: ''Senatus''), so-called as an assembly of the senior (Latin: ''senex'' meaning "the el ...

Alejandro García Padilla Alejandro Javier García Padilla (; born August 3, 1971) is a Puerto Rican politician and attorney who served as the governor of Puerto Rico from 2013 to 2017. Prior to this position, García Padilla held various roles in the political la ...

( PPD) was the net biggest challenger out of six challengers, and eventually won the general election.

Puerto Rico Puerto Rico (; abbreviated PR; tnq, Boriken, ''Borinquen''), officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico ( es, link=yes, Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico, lit=Free Associated State of Puerto Rico), is a Caribbean island and Unincorporated ...

does not have a position of Lieutenant Governor.

Notes

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:United States Gubernatorial Elections, 2012