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United States gubernatorial elections were held in 12 states (including arecall election inWisconsin on June 5) and two territories. Of the eightDemocratic and fourRepublican seats contested, only that ofNorth Carolina changed party hands, giving the Republicans a net gain of one governorship. These elections (except forWisconsin) coincided with thepresidential election on November 6, 2012. As of 2024, this marked the last time in which a Democrat won the governorship in Missouri, and the last time in which a Republican won the governorship in North Carolina.
| State | Incumbent | Last race | Cook Nov 1, 2012[2] | IE Nov 2, 2012[3] | Sabato Nov 5, 2012[4] | RCP Nov 5, 2012[5] | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delaware | Jack Markell | 67.5% D | Solid D | Solid D | Safe D | Safe D | Markell 69.3% D |
| Indiana | Mitch Daniels (term-limited) | 57.8% R | Likely R | Likely R | Likely R | Likely R | Pence 49.5% R |
| Missouri | Jay Nixon | 58.4% D | Lean D | Likely D | Likely D | Lean D | Nixon 54.8% D |
| Montana | Brian Schweitzer (term-limited) | 65.5% D | Tossup | Tossup | Lean R(flip) | Tossup | Bullock 48.9% D |
| New Hampshire | John Lynch (retired) | 52.6% D | Tossup | Tossup | Lean D | Lean D | Hassan 54.6% D |
| North Carolina | Bev Perdue (retired) | 50.3% D | Lean R(flip) | Likely R(flip) | Likely R(flip) | Likely R(flip) | McCrory 54.6% R(flip) |
| North Dakota | Jack Dalrymple | 74.4% R | Solid R | Solid R | Safe R | Safe R | Dalrymple 63.1% R |
| Utah | Gary Herbert | 64.1% R | Solid R | Solid R | Safe R | Safe R | Herbert 68.4% R |
| Vermont | Peter Shumlin | 49.4% D | Solid D | Solid D | Safe D | Safe D | Shumlin 57.8% D |
| Washington | Christine Gregoire (retired) | 53.2% D | Tossup | Tilt D | Lean D | Tossup | Inslee 51.5% D |
| West Virginia | Earl Ray Tomblin | 49.6% D | Lean D | Lean D | Lean D | Likely D | Tomblin 50.5% D |
| State | Incumbent | Party | First elected | Result | Candidates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delaware | Jack Markell | Democratic | 2008 | Incumbentre-elected. |
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| Indiana | Mitch Daniels | Republican | 2004 | Incumbent term-limited. New governorelected. Republican hold. |
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| Missouri | Jay Nixon | Democratic | 2008 | Incumbentre-elected. |
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| Montana | Brian Schweitzer | Democratic | 2004 | Incumbent term-limited. New governorelected. Democratic hold. |
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| New Hampshire | John Lynch | Democratic | 2004 | Incumbent retired. New governorelected. Democratic hold. |
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| North Carolina | Bev Perdue | Democratic | 2008 | Incumbent retired. New governorelected. Republican gain. |
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| North Dakota | Jack Dalrymple | Republican | 2010[b] | Incumbentelected to a full term. |
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| Utah | Gary Herbert | Republican | 2009[c] | Incumbentre-elected. |
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| Vermont | Peter Shumlin | Democratic | 2010 | Incumbentre-elected. |
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| Washington | Christine Gregoire | Democratic | 2004 | Incumbent retired. New governorelected. Democratic hold. |
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| West Virginia | Earl Ray Tomblin | Democratic | 2010[d] | Incumbentre-elected. |
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| Wisconsin (recall) | Scott Walker | Republican | 2010 | Incumbentre-elected. |
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| Territory | Incumbent | Party | First elected | Result | Candidates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Samoa | Togiola Tulafono | Democratic | 2003[e] | Incumbent retired. New governorelected. Independent gain. |
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| Puerto Rico | Luis Fortuño | New Progressive | 2008 | Incumbent lost re-election. New memberelected. Popular Democratic gain. |
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States where the margin of victory was under 1%:
States where the margin of victory was under 5%:
States where the margin of victory was under 10%:
Red denotes states won by Republicans.Blue denotes states won by Democrats.Grey denotes states won by Independents.
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GovernorJack Markell successfully ran for re-election. His Republican challenger was Jeff Cragg.[6]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Jack Markell (incumbent) | 275,993 | 69.34 | |
| Republican | Jeff Cragg | 113,793 | 28.59 | |
| Green | Mark Perri | 4,575 | 1.15 | |
| Libertarian | Jesse McVay | 3,668 | 0.92 | |
| Total votes | 398,029 | 100.00 | ||
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GovernorMitch Daniels was term-limited in 2012.
Mike Pence, 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.[8] 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.[9][10][11]
Former state House SpeakerJohn R. Gregg was unopposed for the Democratic Party's nomination.[12]
FormerSurvivor contestant and founder of theRupert's Kids charityRupert Boneham ran as theLibertarian Party candidate.[13]
Pence narrowly defeated Gregg with 49.9% of the vote to Gregg's 46.56%. Boneham received 3.95% of the vote.[14]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Mike Pence | 1,275,424 | 49.49 | |
| Democratic | John R. Gregg | 1,200,016 | 46.56 | |
| Libertarian | Rupert Boneham | 101,868 | 3.95 | |
| Write-in | Donnie Harold Harris | 21 | 0.00 | |
| Total votes | 2,577,329 | 100.00 | ||
| Republicanhold | ||||
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GovernorJay Nixon sought re-election.[16]
Dave Spence, a businessman fromSt. Louis, won the Republican nomination over attorneyBill Randles in the August 7, 2012 primary.[17]
Jim Higgins was the Libertarian candidate.
Nixon won the general election over Spence and Higgins.
Thelieutenant governor is elected separately.
As of 2024, this is the last time a Democrat won the governorship of Missouri. This is also the last time that a gubernatorial nominee and a lieutenant gubernatorial nominee of different opposite political parties were elected governor and lieutenant governor in Missouri, to date.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Jay Nixon (incumbent) | 1,494,056 | 54.77 | |
| Republican | Dave Spence | 1,160,265 | 42.53 | |
| Libertarian | Jim Higgins | 73,509 | 2.70 | |
| Write-in | 53 | 0.00 | ||
| Total votes | 2,727,883 | 100.00 | ||
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GovernorBrian Schweitzer was term-limited in 2012.
The declared Democratic primary candidates werestate SenatorLarry Jent[19] and state Attorney GeneralSteve Bullock.[20]
The declared Republican primary candidates includedChouteau County commissioner Jim O'Hara,[21] formerstate senatorsCorey Stapleton and Ken Miller, terrorism and national security analystNeil Livingstone,[22] former CongressmanRick Hill,[23] and truck driver Keith Winkler.[24]
Steve Bullock and Rick Hill won their respective primaries. Bullock defeated Hill and Libertarian Ron Vandevender in the general election.[25]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Steve Bullock | 236,450 | 48.90 | |
| Republican | Rick Hill | 228,879 | 47.34 | |
| Libertarian | Ron Vandevender | 18,160 | 3.76 | |
| Total votes | 483,489 | 100.00 | ||
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GovernorJohn Lynch retired rather than running for re-election.[27]
Maggie Hassan, former Majority Leader of the New Hampshire State Senate, defeated former state senatorJackie Cilley and firefighter Bill Kennedy to become the Democratic nominee. Former chairman of the New Hampshire Board of Education Ovide Lamontagne, who narrowly lostthe Republican primary for Senate in 2010, defeated conservative activist and former state representativeKevin Smith and Bill Tarr to win the Republican nomination.[28][29] Hassan won the general election.
New Hampshire does not have a position of lieutenant governor.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Maggie Hassan | 378,934 | 54.61 | |
| Republican | Ovide Lamontagne | 295,026 | 42.52 | |
| Libertarian | John J. Babiarz | 19,251 | 2.77 | |
| Write-in | 666 | 0.10 | ||
| Total votes | 693,877 | 100.00 | ||
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GovernorBeverly Perdue retired rather than run for re-election.[31]
Walter Dalton andPat McCrory won their respective primaries, and McCrory won the general election.
Thelieutenant governor of North Carolina was elected separately.[citation needed]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Pat McCrory | 2,440,707 | 54.62 | |
| Democratic | Walter H. Dalton | 1,931,580 | 43.23 | |
| Libertarian | Barbara Howe | 94,652 | 2.12 | |
| Write-in | 1,356 | 0.03 | ||
| Total votes | 4,468,295 | 100.00 | ||
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GovernorJack Dalrymple succeededJohn Hoeven after the latter was elected senator, and ran for a full term in 2012.[33]Drew Wrigley was his running mate. Dalrymple defeated architect Paul Sorum for the nomination.
State Senate Minority leaderRyan Taylor was the Democratic nominee. Ellen Chaffee was his running mate.[34] Dalrymple won the general election.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Jack Dalrymple (incumbent) | 200,525 | 63.10 | |
| Democratic–NPL | Ryan Taylor | 109,048 | 34.31 | |
| Independent | Paul Sorum | 5,356 | 1.69 | |
| Independent | Roland C. Riemers | 2,618 | 0.82 | |
| Write-in | 267 | 0.08 | ||
| Total votes | 317,814 | 100.00 | ||
| Republicanhold | ||||
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GovernorGary Herbert, who won the2010 gubernatorial special election to finish his predecessor's unfinished term, ran for a full four-year term in 2012.[36]
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 won the general election.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Gary Herbert (incumbent) | 688,592 | 68.41 | |
| Democratic | Peter Cooke | 277,622 | 27.58 | |
| Libertarian | Ken Larsen | 22,611 | 2.25 | |
| Constitution | Kirk D. Pearson | 17,696 | 1.76 | |
| Write-in | 3 | 0.00 | ||
| Total votes | 1,006,524 | 100.00 | ||
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GovernorPeter Shumlin, the victor of theVermont gubernatorial election of 2010, ran for re-election in 2012.[38] His Republican challenger was state SenatorRandy Brock.[39] Shumlin won the general election.
Thelieutenant governor was elected separately.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Peter Shumlin (incumbent) | 170,749 | 57.80 | |
| Republican | Randy Brock | 110,940 | 37.55 | |
| Independent | Emily Peyton | 5,868 | 1.99 | |
| Marijuana | Cris Ericson | 5,583 | 1.89 | |
| Liberty Union | Dave Eagle | 1,303 | 0.44 | |
| Write-in | 969 | 0.33 | ||
| Total votes | 295,412 | 100.00 | ||
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GovernorChristine Gregoire retired rather than run for re-election.[41]
U.S. RepresentativeJay Inslee was the Democratic nominee.[42]
State Attorney GeneralRob McKenna was the Republican nominee.[43][44] U.S. RepresentativeDave Reichert decided against a bid, and threw his support to McKenna.[45] Inslee won the general election.
Thelieutenant governor was elected separately.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Jay Inslee | 1,582,802 | 51.54% | ||
| Republican | Rob McKenna | 1,488,245 | 48.46% | ||
| Total votes | 3,071,047 | 100.00% | |||
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TheSupreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia ruled on January 18, 2011, that the state must hold a special gubernatorial election in 2011[47] to fill the vacancy resulting fromJoe Manchin's election to theUnited States Senate. The special election occurred on October 4, 2011, withstate Senate President and acting GovernorEarl Ray Tomblin won the election. Tomblin was eligible to run for a full term in 2012.
Tomblin's 2011 Republican opponent, businessmanBill Maloney, was the Republican nominee.[48] Tomblin won the election.
David Moran was the Libertarian candidate.
Thelieutenant governor was elected by theState Senate.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Earl Ray Tomblin (incumbent) | 335,468 | 50.49 | |
| Republican | Bill Maloney | 303,291 | 45.65 | |
| Mountain | Jesse Johnson | 16,787 | 2.53 | |
| Libertarian | David Moran | 8,909 | 1.34 | |
| Total votes | 664,455 | 100.00 | ||
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GovernorScott Walker (R) survived a recall election on June 5. His disapproval ratings varied between 50 and 51%, while his approval ratings varied between 47 and 49% in 2011.[50] Walker had led against challengerTom Barrett (D) in polls since March, including two post-primary polls which showed Walker with a five- to twelve-point lead.[51][52] Walker defeated Barrett by seven percentage points,[53] becoming the first governor in U.S. history to survive a recall election.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Scott Walker (incumbent) | 1,335,585 | 53.08 | |
| Democratic | Tom Barrett | 1,164,480 | 46.28 | |
| Independent | Hariprasad Trivedi | 14,463 | 0.57 | |
| Write-in | 1,537 | 0.06 | ||
| Total votes | 2,516,065 | 100.00 | ||
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GovernorTogiola Tulafono, 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 ofAmerican Samoa Community College,Salu Hunkin-Finau; businessman Timothy Jones; formerAttorney GeneralAfoa Moega Lutu; former president of the Development Bank of American Samoa,Lolo Letalu Matalasi Moliga;Lieutenant GovernorFaoa Aitofele Sunia; and formerHigh Court of American Samoa justiceSave Liuato Tuitele.[55][56][57] Moliga won the general election.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nonpartisan | Lolo Letalu Matalasi Moliga | 4,372 | 33.5 | |
| Nonpartisan | Faoa Aitofele Sunia | 4,315 | 33.1 | |
| Nonpartisan | Afoa Moega Lutu | 2,521 | 19.3 | |
| Nonpartisan | Salu Hunkin-Finau | 893 | 6.8 | |
| Nonpartisan | Save Liuato Tuitele | 763 | 5.8 | |
| Nonpartisan | Timothy Jones | 189 | 1.4 | |
| Total votes | 13,053 | 100 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nonpartisan | Lolo Letalu Matalasi Moliga | 6,645 | 52.9 | |
| Nonpartisan | Faoa Aitofele Sunia | 5,908 | 47.1 | |
| Total votes | 12,553 | 100 | ||
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GovernorLuis Fortuño (PNP/R) ran for re-election.
Fortuño had been mentioned as a long-shot potential Republican nominee for president or vice presidentin 2012.[58] However, he announced on June 26, 2011, that he would run for re-election instead of seeking the presidency.
SenatorAlejandro García Padilla (PPD) was the net biggest challenger out of six challengers, and won the general election.
Puerto Rico does not have a position of lieutenant governor.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Popular Democratic | Alejandro García Padilla | 896,060 | 47.73 | |
| New Progressive | Luis Fortuño | 884,775 | 47.13 | |
| Independence | Juan Dalmau Ramírez | 47,331 | 2.52 | |
| Worker's People Party of Puerto Rico | Rafael Bernabe | 18,312 | 0.98 | |
| Movimiento Unión Soberanista | Arturo Hernández | 10,523 | 0.56 | |
| Puerto Ricans for Puerto Rico | Rogelio Figueroa | 6,668 | 0.36 | |
| Write-in | 13,562 | 0.73 | ||
| Total votes | 1,877,179 | 100.00 | ||
| Popular Democraticgain fromNew Progressive | ||||
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