North Carolina Council of State election, 2012

The North Carolina Council of State elections of 2012 were held November 6, 2012 to select the nine officers of the North Carolina Council of State. This election coincided with the U.S. presidential election, U.S. House elections, the gubernatorial election and the statewide judicial elections. Primary elections were held on May 8, 2012; for races in which no candidate received 40 percent of the vote in the primary, runoff elections (officially known as "second" primaries) were held on July 17.[1][2]

The nine members of the North Carolina Council of State are statewide-elected officers serving four-year terms.[3] In the 2012 elections, all incumbents who ran for new terms were re-elected, while the Lieutenant Governor's seat was open following incumbent Walter Dalton's decision to run for Governor. The partisan makeup of the Council of State changed from 7 Democrats (8 including the Governor) and 2 Republicans before the election to 6 Democrats and 3 Republicans (4 including the Governor) afterward.

Governor

Republican Pat McCrory was elected Governor.

Lieutenant Governor

Republican Dan Forest was elected Lieutenant Governor.

Attorney General

Roy Cooper, the Democratic incumbent Attorney General, ran for re-election unopposed.[4]

Results

General election results [5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Roy Cooper 2,828,941 100
Total votes 2,828,941 100

Secretary of State

Democratic primary

Republican primary

Polling

Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Michael
Beitler
A.J.
Daoud
Kenn
Gardner
Eddy
Goodwin
Undecided
Public Policy Polling May 5–6, 2012 496 ± 4.4% 8% 11% 23% 14% 45%
Public Policy Polling April 27–29, 2012 486 ± 4.4% 7% 9% 20% 11% 52%
Public Policy Polling April 20–22, 2012 521 ± 4.3% 6% 6% 17% 10% 61%

Primary results

Republican primary results [12]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Ed Goodwin 246,641 35.94
Republican Kenn Gardner 204,630 29.82
Republican Michael (Mike) Beitler 166,061 24.2
Republican A. J. Daoud 68,834 10.03
Total votes 686,166 100

As no candidate received 40 percent of the vote, state law allows the runner-up to request a second primary (or "runoff"). Gardner requested a runoff.[13]

Republican 2nd primary results [14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Ed Goodwin 74,252 54.48
Republican Kenn Gardner 62,044 45.52
Total votes 136,296 100

General election

Polling

Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Elaine
Marshall (D)
Ed
Goodwin (R)
Undecided
Public Policy Polling October 23–25, 2012 880 LV ± 3.3% 43% 38% 19%
Public Policy Polling September 27–30, 2012 981 ± 3.1% 41% 34% 24%
Public Policy Polling August 2–5, 2012 813 ± 3.4% 43% 37% 19%

Results

General election results [5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Elaine Marshall 2,331,173 53.79
Republican Ed Goodwin 2,003,026 46.21
Total votes 4,334,199 100

State Auditor

Democratic primary

Republican primary

Polling

Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Joseph
DeBragga
Greg
Dority
Debra
Goldman
Fern
Shubert
Rudy
Wright
Undecided
Public Policy Polling May 5–6, 2012 496 ± 4.4% 5% 16% 17% 11% 8% 44%
Public Policy Polling April 27–29, 2012 486 ± 4.4% 3% 18% 16% 9% 3% 51%
Public Policy Polling April 20–22, 2012 521 ± 4.3% 4% 11% 12% 7% 4% 61%

Primary results

Republican primary results [12]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Debra Goldman 237,473 34.35
Republican Greg Dority 164,647 23.82
Republican Fern Shubert 126,983 18.37
Republican Rudy Wright 108,037 15.63
Republican Joseph Hank DeBragga 54,098 7.83
Total votes 691,238 100

As the runner-up, Dority chose not to request a runoff, making Goldman the nominee.[22]

General election

Polling

Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Beth
Wood (D)
Debra
Goldman (R)
Undecided
Public Policy Polling October 29–31, 2012 730 ± 3.6% 50% 38% 12%
Public Policy Polling October 23–25, 2012 880 LV ± 3.3% 45% 38% 18%
Public Policy Polling August 31–September 1, 2012 1,012 ± 3.1% 40% 38% 22%
Public Policy Polling July 5–8, 2012 775 ± 3.5% 39% 36% 25%
Public Policy Polling June 7–10, 2012 810 ± 3.4% 36% 36% 29%

Results

General election results [5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Beth Wood 2,299,541 53.71
Republican Debra Goldman 1,981,539 46.29
Total votes 4,281,080 100

State Treasurer

Democratic primary

Polling

Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Janet
Cowell
Ron
Elmer
Undecided
Public Policy Polling April 27–29, 2012 500 ± 4.4% 50% 11% 39%
Public Policy Polling April 20–22, 2012 500 ± 4.4% 38% 11% 51%
Public Policy Polling March 23–25, 2012 505 ± 4.36% 34% 12% 55%
Public Policy Polling February 29–March 1, 2012 499 ± 4.4% 32% 14% 54%

Primary results

Democratic primary results [12]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Janet Cowell 630,151 76.63
Democratic Ron Elmer 192,135 23.37
Total votes 822,286 100

Republican primary

Polling

Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Frank
Roche
Steve
Royal
Undecided
Public Policy Polling May 5–6, 2012 496 ± 4.4% 24% 30% 47%
Public Policy Polling April 27–29, 2012 486 ± 4.4% 17% 27% 57%

Primary results

Republican primary results [12]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Steve Royal 389,188 57.69
Republican Frank Roche 285,439 42.31
Total votes 674,627 100

General election

Polling

Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Janet
Cowell (D)
Steve
Royal (R)
Undecided
Public Policy Polling October 29–31, 2012 730 ± 3.6% 46% 41% 13%
Public Policy Polling August 31–September 1, 2012 1,012 ± 3.1% 42% 38% 20%
Public Policy Polling July 5–8, 2012 775 ± 3.5% 38% 35% 27%
Public Policy Polling October 12–14, 2012 1,084 ± 3% 34% 33% 33%

Results

General election results [5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Janet Cowell 2,313,877 53.83
Republican Steve Royal 1,984,827 46.17
Total votes 4,298,704 100

Superintendent of Public Instruction

Democratic primary

Withdrawn Candidates

Republican primary

Polling

Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Richard
Alexander
Mark
Crawford
Ray
Martin
David
Scholl
John
Tedesco
Undecided
Public Policy Polling May 5–6, 2012 496 ± 4.4% 14% 12% 6% 6% 16% 45%
Public Policy Polling April 27–29, 2012 486 ± 4.4% 13% 8% 5% 6% 16% 52%
Public Policy Polling April 20–22, 2012 521 ± 4.3% 13% 6% 5% 4% 16% 57%

Primary results

Republican primary results [12]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican John Tedesco 195,352 28.35
Republican Richard Alexander 167,354 24.28
Republican Mark Crawford 150,404 21.82
Republican Ray E. Martin 90,889 13.19
Republican David Scholl 85,145 12.36
Total votes 689,144 100

As the runner-up, Alexander requested a runoff.[35]

Republican 2nd primary results [14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican John Tedesco 75,366 54.42
Republican Richard Alexander 63,119 45.58
Total votes 138,485 100

General election

Polling

Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
June
Atkinson (D)
John
Tedesco (R)
Undecided
Public Policy Polling October 23–25, 2012 880 LV ± 3.3% 42% 40% 18%
Public Policy Polling September 27–30, 2012 981 ± 3.1% 44% 34% 22%
Public Policy Polling August 2–5, 2012 813 ± 3.4% 44% 37% 19%

Results

General election results [5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic June Atkinson 2,336,441 54.24
Republican John Tedesco 1,971,049 45.76
Total votes 4,307,490 100

Commissioner of Agriculture

Republican primary

Polling

Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Bill
McManus
Steve
Troxler
Undecided
Public Policy Polling April 27–29, 2012 486 ± 4.4% 17% 48% 35%
Public Policy Polling April 20–22, 2012 521 ± 4.3% 17% 41% 42%

Primary results

Republican primary results [12]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Steve Troxler 532,664 68.95
Republican Bill McManus 239,920 31.05
Total votes 772,584 100

Democratic primary

Polling

Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Scott
Bryant
Walter
Smith
Undecided
Public Policy Polling May 5–6, 2012 500 ± 3.1% 21% 19% 60%
Public Policy Polling April 27–29, 2012 505 ± 4.36% 20% 17% 63%
Public Policy Polling March 23–25, 2012 505 ± 4.36% 17% 12% 71%
Public Policy Polling February 29–March 1, 2012 499 ± 4.4% 14% 13% 73%

Primary results

Democratic primary results [12]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Walter Smith 424,287 55.11
Democratic Scott Bryant 345,644 44.89
Total votes 769,931 100

General election

Polling

Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Steve
Troxler (R)
Walter
Smith (D)
Undecided
Public Policy Polling October 29–31, 2012 730 ± 3.6% 48% 38% 14%
Public Policy Polling August 31–September 1, 2012 1,012 ± 3.1% 45% 35% 20%
Public Policy Polling July 5–8, 2012 775 ± 3.5% 46% 34% 20%
Public Policy Polling June 7–10, 2012 810 ± 3.4% 45% 31% 25%

Results

General election results [5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Steve Troxler 2,303,586 53.22
Democratic Walter Smith 2,025,054 46.78
Total votes 4,328,640 100

Commissioner of Labor

Republican primary

Democratic primary

Polling

Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
John
Brooks
Marlowe
Foster
Ty
Richardson
Undecided
Public Policy Polling May 5–6, 2012 500 ± 3.1% 18% 14% 30% 38%
Public Policy Polling April 27–29, 2012 500 ± 4.4% 20% 12% 26% 42%
Public Policy Polling April 20–22, 2012 500 ± 4.4% 18% 10% 18% 54%
Public Policy Polling March 23–25, 2012 505 ± 4.36% 18% 8% 22% 51%
Public Policy Polling February 29–March 1, 2012 499 ± 4.4% 13% 9% 26% 52%

Primary results

Democratic primary results [12]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John C. Brooks 289,356 37.14
Democratic Marlowe Foster 256,964 32.98
Democratic Ty Richardson 232,730 29.87
Total votes 779,050 100

As the runner-up, Foster requested a runoff.[42]

Democratic 2nd primary results [14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John C. Brooks 31,216 54.15
Democratic Marlowe Foster 26,431 45.85
Total votes 57,647 100

General election

Polling

Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Cherie
Berry (R)
John
Brooks (D)
Undecided
Public Policy Polling October 23–25, 2012 880 LV ± 3.3% 43% 37% 19%
Public Policy Polling September 27–30, 2012 981 ± 3.1% 41% 37% 22%
Public Policy Polling August 2–5, 2012 813 ± 3.4% 44% 34% 22%

Results

General election results [5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Cherie Berry 2,300,500 53.26
Democratic John Brooks 2,019,266 46.74
Total votes 4,319,766 100

Commissioner of Insurance

Democratic primary

Republican primary

Polling

Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Mike
Causey
James
McCall
Richard
Morgan
Undecided
Public Policy Polling May 5–6, 2012 496 ± 4.4% 20% 14% 19% 47%
Public Policy Polling April 27–29, 2012 486 ± 4.4% 12% 12% 25% 51%
Public Policy Polling April 20–22, 2012 521 ± 4.3% 13% 10% 17% 60%

Primary results

Republican primary results [12]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Richard Morgan 258,935 37.01
Republican Mike Causey 245,430 35.08
Republican James McCall 195,348 27.92
Total votes 699,713 100

As the runner-up, Causey requested a runoff.[47] Of all the statewide runoffs held on July 17, the Republican primary for Insurance Commissioner was the only one in which the top vote-getter changed from the first to the second primary.

Republican 2nd primary results [14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Mike Causey 80,704 57.39
Republican Richard Morgan 59,910 42.61
Total votes 140,614 100

General election

Polling

Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Wayne
Goodwin (D)
Mike
Causey (R)
Undecided
Public Policy Polling October 23–25, 2012 880 LV ± 3.3% 45% 36% 19%
Public Policy Polling September 27–30, 2012 981 ± 3.1% 41% 36% 23%
Public Policy Polling August 2–5, 2012 813 ± 3.4% 40% 36% 24%
General election results [5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Wayne Goodwin 2,226,344 51.86
Republican Mike Causey 2,066,601 48.14
Total votes 4,292,945 100

See also

References

  1. "Elections". North Carolina State Board of Elections. Retrieved February 13, 2012.
  2. News & Observer: It's official
  3. "Article III". North Carolina Constitution. State of North Carolina. Retrieved November 10, 2011.
  4. Daily Reflector
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 State Board of Elections: General election results
  6. Staff Reports (October 20, 2011). "Elaine Marshall announces she'll run again". Raleigh News & Observer. Retrieved November 10, 2011.
  7. "Beitler enters state race". Northwest Observer. August 26, 2011. Retrieved November 4, 2011.
  8. http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/elaine_marshall_touts_better_fundraising_than_the_obama_campaign
  9. 1 2 NC State Board of Elections: Candidate filing list
  10. Outer Banks Voice: Chowan commissioner to run for Secretary of State
  11. News & Observer: GOP secretary of state candidates trade blows about biographies
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 State Board of Elections: Primary results
  13. WFMY-TV
  14. 1 2 3 4 State Board of Elections: 2nd Primary results
  15. News & Observer: Auditor Beth Wood announces reelection bid
  16. WWAY-TV
  17. 1 2 3 4 "Primary Voter Guide". North Carolina State Board of Elections. Retrieved May 2, 2012.
  18. News & Observer: Greg Dority switches races
  19. News & Observer: Debra Goldman announces for state auditor
  20. 2012 Election Tracker
  21. Hickory Daily Record
  22. News & Observer: GOP auditor candidate won't seek runoff
  23. News & Observer: Democratic state treasurer won't seek higher office
  24. 1 2 3 News & Observer: Two state incumbents face primary challengers
  25. News & Observer: Conservative talk radio host joins state treasurer's race
  26. Wilkes Journal Patriot
  27. News & Observer: Atkinson will seek reelection for state superintendent
  28. Barksdale, Andew; Woolverton, Paul (November 7, 2011). "Rep. Rick Glazier may run for N.C. Superintendent of Public Instruction". Fayetteville Observer. Retrieved November 10, 2011.
  29. News & Observer: Glazier says he'll run for superintendent of public instruction nomination
  30. News & Observer: Rick Glazier abandons bid for superintendent, will seek reelection
  31. News & Observer: Richard Alexander running for superintendent of public instruction
  32. Politics1
  33. 1 2 News & Observer: A fellow Democrat wants Atkinson's job
  34. News & Observer: Republican school board member enters superintendent race
  35. Charlotte Observer
  36. News & Observer: Agriculture commissioner announces re-election bid
  37. News & Observer: Chatham farmer to run for agriculture commissioner
  38. Winston-Salem Journal
  39. WRAL.com
  40. Bonner, I. (October 18, 2011). "Democrat announces for Labor Commissioner". Raleigh News & Observer. Retrieved November 10, 2011.
  41. Winston-Salem Journal
  42. News & Observer: Marlowe Foster seeks runoff
  43. "N.C. Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin Announces Run for Re-election, Raises Record Campaign Cash". NCDP.org. NC Democratic Party. October 11, 2011. Retrieved November 10, 2011.
  44. News & Observer: Republican candidate for insurance commissioner announces today
  45. News & Observer: Another Republican candidate for insurance commissioner
  46. News & Observer: Richard Morgan files for insurance commissioner
  47. Blue Ridge Now
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