This article contains the results of the
2012 Republican presidential primaries and caucuses, which resulted in the nomination of
Mitt Romney
Willard Mitt Romney (born March 12, 1947) is an American politician, businessman, and lawyer serving as the junior United States senator from Utah since January 2019, succeeding Orrin Hatch. He served as the 70th governor of Massachusett ...
as the
Republican
Republican can refer to:
Political ideology
* An advocate of a republic, a type of government that is not a monarchy or dictatorship, and is usually associated with the rule of law.
** Republicanism, the ideology in support of republics or again ...
nominee for
President of the United States
The president of the United States (POTUS) is the head of state and head of government of the United States of America. The president directs the Federal government of the United States#Executive branch, executive branch of the Federal gove ...
. The 2012 Republican primaries were the selection processes by which the Republican Party selected delegates to attend the
2012 Republican National Convention
The 2012 Republican National Convention was a gathering held by the U.S. Republican Party during which delegates officially nominated former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney and Representative Paul Ryan of Wisconsin for president and vice pr ...
from August 27–30. The series of
primaries
Primary elections, or direct primary are a voting process by which voters can indicate their preference for their party's candidate, or a candidate in general, in an upcoming general election, local election, or by-election. Depending on the c ...
,
caucuses
A caucus is a meeting of supporters or members of a specific political party or movement. The exact definition varies between different countries and political cultures.
The term originated in the United States, where it can refer to a meeting ...
, and state conventions culminated in the national convention, where the delegates cast their votes to formally select a candidate. A simple majority (1,144) of the total delegate votes (2,286) was required to become the party's nominee.
Seven major candidates were in the race to become the nominee.
Michele Bachmann
Michele Marie Bachmann (; née Amble; born April 6, 1956) is an American politician who was the United States House of Representatives, U.S. representative for from 2007 until 2015. A member of the Republican Party (United States), Republican ...
was the first to drop out, ending her campaign after a poor performance in
Iowa
Iowa () is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern region of the United States, bordered by the Mississippi River to the east and the Missouri River and Big Sioux River to the west. It is bordered by six states: Wiscon ...
.
Jon Huntsman Jon Huntsman may refer to:
* Jon Huntsman Sr. (1937–2018), corporate executive and philanthropist (father of Jon Huntsman Jr.)
* Jon Huntsman Jr. (born 1960), U.S. politician and the former U.S. ambassador to Russia, China and Singapore
* John ...
withdrew from the race after placing third in the
New Hampshire primary
The New Hampshire presidential primary is the first in a series of nationwide party primary elections and the second party contest (the first being the Iowa caucuses) held in the United States every four years as part of the process of choo ...
.
Rick Perry
James Richard Perry (born March 4, 1950) is an American politician who served as the 14th United States secretary of energy from 2017 to 2019 and as the 47th governor of Texas from 2000 to 2015. Perry also ran unsuccessfully for the Republi ...
dropped out after Iowa and New Hampshire but prior to the
South Carolina primary
The South Carolina presidential primary is an open primary election which has become one of several key early-state presidential primaries in the process of the Democratic and Republican Parties choosing their respective general election nominee ...
after polling poorly.
Rick Santorum
Richard John Santorum ( ; born May 10, 1958) is an American politician, attorney, and political commentator. A member of the Republican Party, he served as a United States Senator from Pennsylvania from 1995 to 2007 and was the Senate's third ...
suspended his campaign in April after polls showed a strong possibility that he would lose his home state of Pennsylvania to Mitt Romney, and his daughter Bella's condition worsened.
Newt Gingrich withdrew after insufficient funds prevented him from moving forward with a strong campaign. On May 14, 2012,
Ron Paul
Ronald Ernest Paul (born August 20, 1935) is an American author, activist, physician and retired politician who served as the U.S. representative for Texas's 22nd congressional district from 1976 to 1977 and again from 1979 to 1985, as we ...
announced that his campaign would switch to a delegate accumulation strategy.
On May 29, according to projected counts, Mitt Romney crossed the threshold of 1,144 delegates. He was formally nominated at the Republican National Convention on August 28.
Overview of results
* The delegate totals given by the AP (Associated Press),other sites such as this one and other major news outlets are a projection and have not been officially pledged yet. This applies to a delegate from a non-binding primary or caucus election, as in Iowa, Colorado, Minnesota, Maine, and Washington.
These are awarded officially at Congressional and State Conventions on a later date.
* Unprojected delegates included in Total for each State.
1,869 pledged, 417 unprojected/unpledged.
*
Winner-take-all
Winner(s) take(s) (it) all may refer to:
Competition, economics and politics
* Winner-takes-all voting
* Winner-take-all (computing)
* Winner-take-all market
Books Fiction
* ''Winner Takes All'' (novel), a BBC Books Doctor Who novel
* "Winner ...
states begin with the April 3, 2012 primaries, with the exception of Florida's and Arizona's primaries.
Major candidates
;Notes:
:
* State whose delegate total has been halved due to violation of Rule 15 of the RNC rules.
:
** Vote totals in brackets consider votes for minor candidates, as well as votes for "uncommitted", "no preference", "write-ins" or other options.
:
a Missouri's February 7 primary has no bearing on the allocation of the state's 52 delegates.
:
b Vote totals (except for percentages) don't consider votes for minor candidates, as well as votes for "uncommitted", "no preference", "write-ins" or other options.
:
c The Maine Republican Party encouraged all municipal committees to hold their caucuses between 4 to 11 February, but some were held outside this date range.
:
e Delegates selected with combined way - binding primary and state convention (Indiana, Illinois, Louisiana) or summer meeting (Pennsylvania).
:
f Table contains only popular votes gained during the caucus (
read more).
Other primary events electing delegates
Convention roll call
The traditional roll call of the states, which shows final distribution of delegates for every candidate, took place on Tuesday August 28, the first full day of the
Republican National Convention
The Republican National Convention (RNC) is a series of presidential nominating conventions held every four years since 1856 by the United States Republican Party. They are administered by the Republican National Committee. The goal of the Repu ...
.
Other candidates
Two major candidates, who had been invited to the debates, Herman Cain and Gary Johnson, had withdrawn from the race after states began to certify candidates for ballot spots. Two serious candidates who were not invited, Buddy Roemer and Fred Karger, had a very hard time getting on primary ballots and achieved only limited success. Six candidates, L. John Davis, Randy Crow, Chris Hill, Keith Drummond, Mike Meehan, and Mark Callahan, qualified for the ballot in two primaries, while the rest, over 25 in all, were on the ballot in only one, either New Hampshire or Arizona, which both had relatively easy requirements. Some votes for minor candidates are unavailable, because in many states (territories) they can be listed as Others or Write-ins. At the conclusion of the primary season, none of these other candidates was able to be awarded any delegates.
Results
Primary and caucuses can be binding or nonbinding in allocating delegates to the respective state delegations to the National convention. But the actual election of the delegates can be at a later date. Delegates are (1) elected at conventions, (2) from slates submitted by the candidates, (3) selected by the state chairman or (4) at committee meetings or (5) elected directly at the caucuses and primaries.
Until the delegates are actually elected the delegate numbers are by nature projections, but it is only in the nonbinding caucus states where they are not allocated at the primary or caucus date.
Early states
Twelve states (374 delegates) voted from January 3 to March 3. Out of 374 delegates only 172 were allocated to the candidates, 18 were unbound RNC delegates, 2 were allocated for Huntsman but were unbound, and 182 delegates were unallocated.
Iowa
Nonbinding Caucus: January 3, 2012
State Convention: June 16, 2012
National delegates: 28
New Hampshire
Primary date: January 10, 2012
National delegates: 12
#
;Note:
:
# NH have been penalized for breaking RNC rule 15 with the loss of half its delegates, from 23 voting delegates to only 12. But all 20 delegates in NH's delegation to the National Convention have been appointed from slates submitted by the candidates. It is unknown how the 12 voting slots will be distributed. The 3 RNC delegates are not allowed to attend as voting delegates.
South Carolina
Primary date: January 21, 2012
District conventions: April 12, 2012
State convention: May 19, 2012
National delegates: 25
Florida
Closed primary
Primary elections, or direct primary are a voting process by which voters can indicate their preference for their party's candidate, or a candidate in general, in an upcoming general election, local election, or by-election. Depending on the c ...
: January 31, 2012
National delegates: 50
Note: 4,063,853 registered Republicans
Nevada
Closed caucus: February 4, 2012
National delegates: 28
Note: 400,310 registered Republicans
* Although 22 of the 28 bound delegates are Ron Paul supporters, Republican rules require the first vote at the national convention to reflect the results of the caucus. After the first vote, all delegates become unbound.
Colorado
Closed caucus: February 7, 2012
National delegates: 36
* 13 of the 17 unbound delegates are planning to vote for Paul; 1 for Santorum.
Minnesota
Open caucus: February 7, 2012
National delegates: 40
Missouri
Modified Primary: February 7, 2012
National delegates: 52 (not tied to primary vote)
Maine
Closed caucus: February 4–11, 2012
National delegates: 24
Arizona
Closed primary
Primary elections, or direct primary are a voting process by which voters can indicate their preference for their party's candidate, or a candidate in general, in an upcoming general election, local election, or by-election. Depending on the c ...
: February 28, 2012
National delegates: 29
Note: Delegate total was halved due to violation of Rule 15 of the RNC rules.
Michigan
Open primary
Primary elections, or direct primary are a voting process by which voters can indicate their preference for their party's candidate, or a candidate in general, in an upcoming general election, local election, or by-election. Depending on the c ...
: February 28, 2012
National delegates: 30
Wyoming
Closed caucus: February 11–29, 2012
National delegates: 29
Washington
Closed caucus: March 3, 2012
National delegates: 43
Super Tuesday
Super Tuesday 2012 is the name for March 6, 2012, the day on which the largest simultaneous number of state
presidential primary elections was held in the United States. It included Republican
primaries
Primary elections, or direct primary are a voting process by which voters can indicate their preference for their party's candidate, or a candidate in general, in an upcoming general election, local election, or by-election. Depending on the c ...
in seven states and
caucus
A caucus is a meeting of supporters or members of a specific political party or movement. The exact definition varies between different countries and political cultures.
The term originated in the United States, where it can refer to a meeting ...
es in three states, totaling 419 delegates (18.2% of the total).
18 additional
RNC RNC may refer to:
Technology and sciences
*Radio Network Controller, a governing element of a mobile phone network
*Ribosome-nascent chain complex, in biology
*Romanian National R&D Computer Network, registry for the .ro top-level domain
* file ex ...
superdelegates
In American politics, a superdelegate is an unpledged delegate to the Democratic National Convention who is seated automatically and chooses for themselves for whom they vote. These Democratic Party superdelegates (who make up slightly under 15 ...
from the states are not bound by the voting result.
Alaska
Caucuses
A caucus is a meeting of supporters or members of a specific political party or movement. The exact definition varies between different countries and political cultures.
The term originated in the United States, where it can refer to a meeting ...
: March 6, 2012
National delegates: 27
Georgia
Open primary
Primary elections, or direct primary are a voting process by which voters can indicate their preference for their party's candidate, or a candidate in general, in an upcoming general election, local election, or by-election. Depending on the c ...
: March 6, 2012
National delegates: 76
Idaho
Caucuses
A caucus is a meeting of supporters or members of a specific political party or movement. The exact definition varies between different countries and political cultures.
The term originated in the United States, where it can refer to a meeting ...
: March 6, 2012
National delegates: 32
Massachusetts
Semi-closed primary: March 6, 2012
National delegates: 41
North Dakota
Caucuses
A caucus is a meeting of supporters or members of a specific political party or movement. The exact definition varies between different countries and political cultures.
The term originated in the United States, where it can refer to a meeting ...
: March 6, 2012
National delegates: 28
Results prior to certification:
Ohio
Semi-closed primary: March 6, 2012
National delegates: 66
Oklahoma
Primary
Primary or primaries may refer to:
Arts, entertainment, and media Music Groups and labels
* Primary (band), from Australia
* Primary (musician), hip hop musician and record producer from South Korea
* Primary Music, Israeli record label
Work ...
: March 6, 2012
National delegates: 43
Tennessee
Primary
Primary or primaries may refer to:
Arts, entertainment, and media Music Groups and labels
* Primary (band), from Australia
* Primary (musician), hip hop musician and record producer from South Korea
* Primary Music, Israeli record label
Work ...
: March 6, 2012
National delegates: 58
Vermont
Primary
Primary or primaries may refer to:
Arts, entertainment, and media Music Groups and labels
* Primary (band), from Australia
* Primary (musician), hip hop musician and record producer from South Korea
* Primary Music, Israeli record label
Work ...
: March 6, 2012
National delegates: 17
Virginia
Primary
Primary or primaries may refer to:
Arts, entertainment, and media Music Groups and labels
* Primary (band), from Australia
* Primary (musician), hip hop musician and record producer from South Korea
* Primary Music, Israeli record label
Work ...
: March 6, 2012
National delegates: 49
Note: Ballot restrictions resulted in most of the candidates failing to get on the ballot.
Mid-March states
Kansas
Binding caucus: March 10, 2012
National delegates: 40
Results prior to certification with 100% of precincts reporting:
Guam
Caucus
A caucus is a meeting of supporters or members of a specific political party or movement. The exact definition varies between different countries and political cultures.
The term originated in the United States, where it can refer to a meeting ...
: March 10, 2012
National delegates: 9
Northern Mariana Islands
Caucus
A caucus is a meeting of supporters or members of a specific political party or movement. The exact definition varies between different countries and political cultures.
The term originated in the United States, where it can refer to a meeting ...
: March 10, 2012
National delegates: 9
U.S. Virgin Islands
Caucus
A caucus is a meeting of supporters or members of a specific political party or movement. The exact definition varies between different countries and political cultures.
The term originated in the United States, where it can refer to a meeting ...
: March 10, 2012
National delegates: 9
No straw poll was taken at the caucus, but the delegates were bound to the candidate they pledged themselves to before the voting started. The six delegates receiving the most votes go to the National Convention. Three of the top vote-getters had previously pledged to Romney, and one had pledged to Paul. In addition, two of the elected uncommitted delegates committed themselves to Romney after the election.
Alabama
Primary
Primary or primaries may refer to:
Arts, entertainment, and media Music Groups and labels
* Primary (band), from Australia
* Primary (musician), hip hop musician and record producer from South Korea
* Primary Music, Israeli record label
Work ...
: March 13, 2012
National delegates: 50
Hawaii
Binding caucuses: March 13, 2012
National delegates: 20
Certified results doesn't include 858 outstanding votes (write-ins and
provisional ballot
In elections in the United States, a provisional ballot (called an affidavit ballot in New York) is used to record a vote when there are questions about a given voter's eligibility that must be resolved before the vote can count. The federal ...
s).
Mississippi
Primary
Primary or primaries may refer to:
Arts, entertainment, and media Music Groups and labels
* Primary (band), from Australia
* Primary (musician), hip hop musician and record producer from South Korea
* Primary Music, Israeli record label
Work ...
: March 13, 2012
National delegates: 40 (winner-take-all if over 50%)
American Samoa
Caucus
A caucus is a meeting of supporters or members of a specific political party or movement. The exact definition varies between different countries and political cultures.
The term originated in the United States, where it can refer to a meeting ...
: March 13, 2012
National delegates: 9
Mitt Romney had the most support but there were a few votes for each of the candidates Ron Paul, Rick Santorum, and Newt Gingrich. About 70 people participated but no formal vote was taken.
Puerto Rico
Primary
Primary or primaries may refer to:
Arts, entertainment, and media Music Groups and labels
* Primary (band), from Australia
* Primary (musician), hip hop musician and record producer from South Korea
* Primary Music, Israeli record label
Work ...
: March 18, 2012
National delegates: 23
Illinois
Primary
Primary or primaries may refer to:
Arts, entertainment, and media Music Groups and labels
* Primary (band), from Australia
* Primary (musician), hip hop musician and record producer from South Korea
* Primary Music, Israeli record label
Work ...
: March 20, 2012
National delegates: 54
Louisiana primary
Primary
Primary or primaries may refer to:
Arts, entertainment, and media Music Groups and labels
* Primary (band), from Australia
* Primary (musician), hip hop musician and record producer from South Korea
* Primary Music, Israeli record label
Work ...
: March 24, 2012
National delegates: 20
April states
Maryland
Primary
Primary or primaries may refer to:
Arts, entertainment, and media Music Groups and labels
* Primary (band), from Australia
* Primary (musician), hip hop musician and record producer from South Korea
* Primary Music, Israeli record label
Work ...
: April 3, 2012
National delegates: 37
Rick Santorum was unable to receive full delegate support.
District of Columbia
Primary
Primary or primaries may refer to:
Arts, entertainment, and media Music Groups and labels
* Primary (band), from Australia
* Primary (musician), hip hop musician and record producer from South Korea
* Primary Music, Israeli record label
Work ...
: April 3, 2012
National delegates: 19
Rick Santorum was not on the ballot.
Wisconsin
Primary
Primary or primaries may refer to:
Arts, entertainment, and media Music Groups and labels
* Primary (band), from Australia
* Primary (musician), hip hop musician and record producer from South Korea
* Primary Music, Israeli record label
Work ...
: April 3, 2012
National delegates: 42
Connecticut
Primary
Primary or primaries may refer to:
Arts, entertainment, and media Music Groups and labels
* Primary (band), from Australia
* Primary (musician), hip hop musician and record producer from South Korea
* Primary Music, Israeli record label
Work ...
: April 24, 2012
National delegates: 28
Official source reports a turnout of 59,639, with the difference from 59,578 likely due to blank ballots.
Delaware
Primary
Primary or primaries may refer to:
Arts, entertainment, and media Music Groups and labels
* Primary (band), from Australia
* Primary (musician), hip hop musician and record producer from South Korea
* Primary Music, Israeli record label
Work ...
: April 24, 2012
National delegates: 17
New York
Primary
Primary or primaries may refer to:
Arts, entertainment, and media Music Groups and labels
* Primary (band), from Australia
* Primary (musician), hip hop musician and record producer from South Korea
* Primary Music, Israeli record label
Work ...
: April 24, 2012
National delegates: 95
Pennsylvania
Primary
Primary or primaries may refer to:
Arts, entertainment, and media Music Groups and labels
* Primary (band), from Australia
* Primary (musician), hip hop musician and record producer from South Korea
* Primary Music, Israeli record label
Work ...
: April 24, 2012
National delegates: 72
Rhode Island
Primary
Primary or primaries may refer to:
Arts, entertainment, and media Music Groups and labels
* Primary (band), from Australia
* Primary (musician), hip hop musician and record producer from South Korea
* Primary Music, Israeli record label
Work ...
: April 24, 2012
National delegates: 19
Louisiana caucuses
Caucuses: April 28, 2012
National delegates: 26
May states
Indiana
Primary
Primary or primaries may refer to:
Arts, entertainment, and media Music Groups and labels
* Primary (band), from Australia
* Primary (musician), hip hop musician and record producer from South Korea
* Primary Music, Israeli record label
Work ...
: May 8, 2012
National delegates: 46
North Carolina
Primary
Primary or primaries may refer to:
Arts, entertainment, and media Music Groups and labels
* Primary (band), from Australia
* Primary (musician), hip hop musician and record producer from South Korea
* Primary Music, Israeli record label
Work ...
: May 8, 2012
National delegates: 55
West Virginia
Primary
Primary or primaries may refer to:
Arts, entertainment, and media Music Groups and labels
* Primary (band), from Australia
* Primary (musician), hip hop musician and record producer from South Korea
* Primary Music, Israeli record label
Work ...
: May 8, 2012
National delegates: 31
Nebraska
Primary
Primary or primaries may refer to:
Arts, entertainment, and media Music Groups and labels
* Primary (band), from Australia
* Primary (musician), hip hop musician and record producer from South Korea
* Primary Music, Israeli record label
Work ...
: May 15, 2012
National delegates: 35
Oregon
Primary
Primary or primaries may refer to:
Arts, entertainment, and media Music Groups and labels
* Primary (band), from Australia
* Primary (musician), hip hop musician and record producer from South Korea
* Primary Music, Israeli record label
Work ...
: May 15, 2012
National delegates: 28
Arkansas
Primary
Primary or primaries may refer to:
Arts, entertainment, and media Music Groups and labels
* Primary (band), from Australia
* Primary (musician), hip hop musician and record producer from South Korea
* Primary Music, Israeli record label
Work ...
: May 22, 2012
National delegates: 36
Kentucky
Primary
Primary or primaries may refer to:
Arts, entertainment, and media Music Groups and labels
* Primary (band), from Australia
* Primary (musician), hip hop musician and record producer from South Korea
* Primary Music, Israeli record label
Work ...
: May 22, 2012
National delegates: 45
Texas
Primary
Primary or primaries may refer to:
Arts, entertainment, and media Music Groups and labels
* Primary (band), from Australia
* Primary (musician), hip hop musician and record producer from South Korea
* Primary Music, Israeli record label
Work ...
: May 29, 2012
National delegates: 155
June states
California
Primary
Primary or primaries may refer to:
Arts, entertainment, and media Music Groups and labels
* Primary (band), from Australia
* Primary (musician), hip hop musician and record producer from South Korea
* Primary Music, Israeli record label
Work ...
: June 5, 2012
National delegates: 172
Montana
Caucus
A caucus is a meeting of supporters or members of a specific political party or movement. The exact definition varies between different countries and political cultures.
The term originated in the United States, where it can refer to a meeting ...
: June 5, 2012
National delegates: 26
Results prior to certification:
New Jersey
Primary
Primary or primaries may refer to:
Arts, entertainment, and media Music Groups and labels
* Primary (band), from Australia
* Primary (musician), hip hop musician and record producer from South Korea
* Primary Music, Israeli record label
Work ...
: June 5, 2012
National delegates: 50
New Mexico
Primary
Primary or primaries may refer to:
Arts, entertainment, and media Music Groups and labels
* Primary (band), from Australia
* Primary (musician), hip hop musician and record producer from South Korea
* Primary Music, Israeli record label
Work ...
: June 5, 2012
National delegates: 23
South Dakota
Primary
Primary or primaries may refer to:
Arts, entertainment, and media Music Groups and labels
* Primary (band), from Australia
* Primary (musician), hip hop musician and record producer from South Korea
* Primary Music, Israeli record label
Work ...
: June 5, 2012
National delegates: 28
Results prior to certification:
Utah
Primary
Primary or primaries may refer to:
Arts, entertainment, and media Music Groups and labels
* Primary (band), from Australia
* Primary (musician), hip hop musician and record producer from South Korea
* Primary Music, Israeli record label
Work ...
: June 27, 2012
National delegates: 40
Results prior to certification:
See also
*
Prelude to the Republican presidential primaries, 2012
*
Republican Party presidential primaries, 2012
Voters of the Republican Party elected state delegations to the 2012 Republican National Convention in presidential primaries. The national convention then selected its nominee to run for President of the United States in the 2012 presidential e ...
*
Republican Party presidential debates, 2012
A series of political debates were held prior to and during the 2012 Republican primaries, among candidates for the Republican presidential nomination in the national election of 2012. The first debate occurred on May 5, 2011, in Greenville, S ...
*
*
*
*
*
Democratic Party presidential primaries, 2012
From January 3 to June 5, 2012, voters of the Democratic Party (United States), Democratic Party chose its nominee for President of the United States, president in the 2012 United States presidential election. President Barack Obama won the Dem ...
*
United States presidential election
The election of the president and the vice president of the United States is an indirect election in which Citizenship of the United States, citizens of the United States who are Voter registration in the United States, registered to vote in o ...
*
Results of the 2008 Republican presidential primaries
External links
CNN State-by-state scorecard Complete state results and national totals for the 2012 Republican race
Republican Primary Tracker from ''
The Wall Street Journal
''The Wall Street Journal'' is an American business-focused, international daily newspaper based in New York City, with international editions also available in Chinese and Japanese. The ''Journal'', along with its Asian editions, is published ...
''
2012 Election Central Analysis and news of pending debates and voting
The Green Papers Complete descriptions of delegate allocation
The Green Papers Major state elections in chronological order
from
CNNThe G.O.P.’s Fuzzy Delegate Math Nate Silver's Political Calculus.
References
{{2012 United States presidential election
2012 Results
Election results in the United States