United States Senate election in California, 2012
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The 2012 United States Senate election in California took place on November 6, 2012, concurrently with the 2012 U.S. presidential election as well as other elections to the United States Senate and House of Representatives and various state and local elections.
The primary election on June 5 took place under California's new blanket primary law, where all candidates appear on the same ballot, regardless of party. In the primary, voters voted for any candidate listed, or write-in any other candidate. The top two finishers — regardless of party — advanced to the general election in November, even if a candidate managed to receive a majority of the votes cast in the June primary. In the primary, less than 15% of the total 2010 census population voted. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein announced her intention to run for a fourth full term in April 2011[2] and finished first in the blanket primary with 49.5% of the vote. The second-place finisher was Republican candidate and autism activist Elizabeth Emken, who won 12.7% of the vote.
Feinstein and Emken contested the general election on November 6, with Feinstein winning re-election in a landslide, by 62.5% to 37.5%. Feinstein's 7.75 million votes set the all-time record for the most votes cast for one candidate in one state in one election, beating Senator Barbara Boxer's 6.96 million votes in 2004.
Primary
Candidates
Democratic Party
- Dianne Feinstein, incumbent U.S. senator[3]
- Colleen Shea Fernald, mother/consultant/artist
- David Levitt, computer scientist/engineer[4]
- Nak Shah, environmental health consultant
- Diane Stewart, businesswoman/finance manager
- Mike Strimling, Consumer Rights Attorney, former U.S. Peace Corps legal adviser
Republican Party
- John Boruff, businessman[5]
- Oscar Alejandro Braun, businessman/rancher
- Greg Conlon, businessman/CPA
- Elizabeth Emken, candidate for the 11th congressional district in 2010[6][7]
- Marsha Feinland
- Rogelio Gloria, federal and US Naval Officer
- Dan Hughes, businessman[8]
- Dennis Jackson, aerospace general manager
- Dirk Konopik, an Evangelical Christian and former congressional aide[7]
- Donald Krampe, retired administration director
- Robert Lauten
- Al Ramirez, businessman[9]
- Nachum Shifren, rabbi and state senate candidate in 2010[10]
- Orly Taitz, dentist, Birther movement advocate and candidate for Republican nomination for California Secretary of State in 2010[11]
- Rick Williams, business attorney[12]
Declined
Libertarian
- Gail Lightfoot, retired nurse
Peace and Freedom
- Kabiruddin Karim Ali, businessman
- Marsha Feinland, retired teacher
American Independent
- Don J. Grundmann, doctor of chiropractic
Polling
Results
Open Primary Results[16][17][18] |
Party |
Candidate |
Votes |
% |
|
Democratic |
Dianne Feinstein (incumbent) |
2,287,121 |
49.5% |
|
Republican |
Elizabeth Emken |
585,933 |
12.7% |
|
Republican |
Dan Hughes |
307,133 |
6.6% |
|
Republican |
Rick Williams |
148,129 |
3.2% |
|
Republican |
Orly Taitz |
147,108 |
3.2% |
|
Republican |
Dennis Jackson |
130,876 |
2.8% |
|
Republican |
Greg Conlon |
129,255 |
2.8% |
|
Republican |
Al Ramirez |
103,112 |
2.2% |
|
Libertarian |
Gail Lightfoot |
95,247 |
2.1% |
|
Democratic |
Diane Stewart |
92,095 |
2% |
|
Democratic |
Mike Strimling |
91,371 |
2% |
|
Democratic |
David Levitt |
71,890 |
1.6% |
|
Republican |
Oscar Braun |
71,385 |
1.5% |
|
Peace and Freedom |
Marsha Feinland |
54,129 |
1.2% |
|
Republican |
Robert Lauten |
52,980 |
1.1% |
|
Democratic |
Colleen Shea Fernald |
48,568 |
1.1% |
|
Republican |
Donald Krampe |
37,314 |
0.8% |
|
American Independent |
Don J. Grundmann |
30,922 |
0.7% |
|
Republican |
Dirk Allen Konopik |
28,276 |
0.6% |
|
Republican |
John Boruff |
28,138 |
0.6% |
|
Democratic |
Nak Shah |
25,283 |
0.5% |
|
Republican |
Rogelio T. Gloria |
21,083 |
0.5% |
|
Republican |
Nachum Shifren |
20,595 |
0.4% |
|
Peace and Freedom |
Kabiruddin Karim Ali |
11,492 |
0.2% |
Totals |
4,619,435 |
100% |
Election contest
In July 2012, Taitz sued to block the certification of the primary election results, alleging "rampant election fraud", but her suit was denied.[19][20]
Fundraising
Candidate (party) |
Receipts |
Disbursements |
Cash on hand |
Debt |
Dianne Feinstein (D) |
$12,673,306 |
$12,105,960 |
$865,541 |
$373,734 |
Elizabeth Emken (R) |
$1,114,350 |
$1,110,209 |
$4,140 |
$4,479 |
Source: Federal Election Commission[21][22] |
Top contributors
Dianne Feinstein |
Contribution |
Elizabeth Emken |
Contribution |
Pacific Gas and Electric Company |
$120,700 |
Thomas H. Lee Partners |
$10,000 |
JStreetPAC |
$82,171 |
DevicePharm, Inc. |
$7,500 |
General Atomics |
$56,750 |
Troy Group |
$7,500 |
Edison International |
$54,250 |
Jelly Belly |
$5,500 |
General Dynamics |
$43,500 |
Autism Advocate |
$5,000 |
BAE Systems |
$40,000 |
Geier Group |
$5,000 |
Diamond Foods |
$31,599 |
Generations Healthcare |
$5,000 |
Northrop Grumman |
$30,800 |
Gingery Development |
$4,000 |
International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees |
$30,000 |
MIR3, Inc. |
$3,000 |
Wells Fargo |
$27,250 |
Northrop Grumman |
$2,800 |
Source: Center for Responsive Politics [23] |
Top industries
Dianne Feinstein |
Contribution |
Elizabeth Emken |
Contribution |
Lawyers/Law Firms |
$565,129 |
Retired |
$63,849 |
Retired |
$463,058 |
Republican/Conservative |
$35,800 |
Agribusiness |
$367,132 |
Financial Institutions |
$26,100 |
Real Estate |
$334,321 |
Real Estate |
$19,200 |
Lobbyists |
$324,196 |
Business Services |
$16,000 |
Financial Institutions |
$321,744 |
Misc Finance |
$12,750 |
Electric Utilities |
$313,450 |
Printing & Publishing |
$8,000 |
Entertainment Industry |
$300,321 |
Food & Beverage |
$6,000 |
Women's Issues |
$207,449 |
Petroleum Industry |
$6,000 |
High-Tech Industry |
$205,789 |
Lawyers/Law Firms |
$5,458 |
Source: Center for Responsive Politics [24] |
General election
Candidates
Debates
No debates were scheduled. Senator Feinstein decided to focus on her own campaign rather than debate her challenger.[25][26]
Polling
Poll source |
Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Dianne Feinstein (D) |
Elizabeth Emken (R) |
Other |
Undecided |
The Field Poll |
October 25–30, 2012 |
751 |
± 3.6% |
54% |
33% |
— |
13% |
The Field Poll |
October 17–24, 2012 |
815 |
± 3.6% |
56% |
32% |
— |
12% |
LA Times/USC |
October 15–21, 2012 |
1,440 |
± n/a |
55% |
38% |
1% |
6% |
Reason-Rupe |
October 11–15, 2012 |
508 |
± 5.1% |
60% |
34% |
2% |
5% |
SurveyUSA |
October 7–9, 2012 |
539 |
± 4.3% |
54% |
35% |
— |
10% |
The Field Poll |
September 6–18, 2012 |
902 |
± 3.4% |
57% |
31% |
— |
12% |
SurveyUSA |
September 9–11, 2012 |
524 |
± 4.2% |
55% |
37% |
— |
9% |
CBRT Pepperdine |
July 30–August 1, 2012 |
873 |
± 3.3% |
46% |
34% |
— |
21% |
The Field Poll |
June 21–July 2, 2012 |
848 |
± 3.5% |
51% |
32% |
— |
17% |
SurveyUSA |
May 27–29, 2012 |
1,575 |
± 2.5% |
50% |
34% |
— |
15% |
Results
United States Senate election in California, 2012 |
Party |
Candidate |
Votes |
% |
±% |
|
Democratic |
Dianne Feinstein (incumbent) |
7,748,994 |
62.5% |
+3.1% |
|
Republican |
Elizabeth Emken |
4,650,994 |
37.5% |
+2.5% |
Majority |
3,098,000 |
25.0% |
+.6 |
Turnout |
12,399,988 |
100% |
|
See also
References
- ↑ Dr. Michael McDonald (February 9, 2013). "2012 General Election Turnout Rates". George Mason University. Retrieved April 3, 2013.
- ↑ Marinucci, Carla (April 30, 2011). "US Sen. Dianne Feinstein on nuclear energy and her 2012 re-election: “My plan is to run”". San Francisco Chronicle Politics Blog.
- ↑ Reston, Maeve (October 25, 2010). "Feinstein hints she'll run again in 2012". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 3, 2011.
- ↑ Milhalcik, Carrie. "Citizen candidate to challenge Dianne Feinstein in Senate race". Current TV.
- ↑ Walker, Mark (December 1, 2011). "REGION: Ramona man running against Feinstein in 2012". North County Times. Retrieved February 12, 2012.
- ↑ Van Oot, Torey (November 28, 2011). "Republican Elizabeth Emken to run against Sen. Dianne Feinstein". The Sacramento Bee. Retrieved November 28, 2011.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Richman, Josh (November 29, 2011). "Danville woman seeks GOP nod to take on Feinstein". Oakland Tribune. Contra Costa Times. Retrieved February 12, 2012.
- ↑ Merl, Jean (February 6, 2012). "GOP businessman joins field challenging Sen. Dianne Feinstein". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 12, 2012.
- ↑ Archibald, Ashley (January 28, 2012). "Santa Monican hopes to unseat Feinstein". Santa Monica Daily Press. Retrieved February 12, 2012.
- ↑ Surowski, Peter (May 18, 2011). "Rabbi Who Denounced Temecula Mosque Runs for Senate". Temecula Patch. Retrieved February 12, 2012.
- ↑ "Orly Taitz Senate Campaign: 'Birther Queen' Running As GOP Candidate For U.S. Senate Seat In California". The Huffington Post. November 4, 2011. Retrieved November 7, 2011.
- ↑ "Rick Williams for Senate".
- ↑ Doyle, Michael (November 7, 2011). "Staffer: Rep. Nunes won't challenge Feinstein". Fresno Bee. Retrieved November 9, 2011.
- ↑ Housley, Adam (September 21, 2011). "Michael Reagan a No-Go to Challenge Feinstein in California". Fox News. Retrieved September 21, 2011.
- ↑ Tuna, Cari (March 11, 2011). "Meg Whitman ‘Definitely Not’ Planning 2012 Senate Bid". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved March 12, 2011.
- ↑ "U.S. Senate - Statewide Results". California Secretary of State. Retrieved 2012-06-06.
- ↑ "California - Summary Vote Results". Associated Press. June 6, 2012. Retrieved June 6, 2012.
- ↑ Merl, Jean (June 5, 2012). "Emken will take on Sen. Dianne Feinstein in fall". Los Angeles Times.
- ↑ Wisckol, Martin (July 12, 2012). "O.C. ‘birther’ sues to block primary election results". The Orange County Register.
- ↑ Wisckol, Martin (July 13, 2012). "O.C. ‘birther’ suit to block election results denied". The Orange County Register.
- ↑ Federal Election Commission. "2012 House and Senate Campaign Finance for California FEINSTEIN, DIANNE". fec.gov.
- ↑ Federal Election Commission. "2012 House and Senate Campaign Finance for California EMKEN, ELIZABETH". fec.gov.
- ↑ Center for Responsive Politics. "Top Contributors 2012 Race: California Senate". opensecrets.org.
- ↑ Center for Responsive Politics. "Top Industries 2012 Race: California Senate". opensecrets.org.
- ↑ http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=09gDvV_zHHk
- ↑ http://www.ocregister.com/articles/emken-376332-feinstein-debate.html
External links
- Official campaign sites