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 County results Congressional district results Precinct resultsInslee: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% >90% McKenna: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% >90% Tie: 50% No votes | ||||||||||||||||
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The2012 Washington gubernatorial election took place on November 6, 2012.[1] Candidates in the election were chosen in an August 7, 2012[2] primary election, under the state'snonpartisan blanket primary system, which allows voters to vote for any candidate running in the race, regardless of party affiliation. The two candidates who received the most votes in the primary election qualified for the general election.[3]
Incumbent GovernorChristine Gregoire decided to retire rather than seek a third term.[4] She endorsed fellow Democrat Jay Inslee, a U.S. Congressman, as her successor. On March 20, 2012, Inslee resigned from Congress in order to focus on his gubernatorial campaign.[5]
Inslee and RepublicanRob McKenna, theAttorney General of Washington, advanced to the general election. Inslee narrowly won the election, and McKenna conceded three days later.[6]
Newspapers
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size[a] | Margin of error | Rob McKenna (R) | Jay Inslee (D) | Lisa Brown (D) | Dow Constantine (D) | Clint Didier (R) | Bill Bryant (R) | Brian Sonntag (D) | Aaron Reardon (D) | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chism Strategies[20] | June 28–30, 2011 | 408 (LV) | ± 5.0% | 20% | 17% | 3% | 3% | 3% | 2% | 2% | 1% | 49% |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Jay Inslee | 664,534 | 47.13% | |
| Republican | Rob McKenna | 604,872 | 42.90% | |
| Republican | Shahram Hadian | 46,169 | 3.27% | |
| Democratic | Rob Hill | 45,453 | 3.22% | |
| Independent | James White | 13,764 | 0.98% | |
| Independent | Christian Joubert | 10,457 | 0.74% | |
| Independent | L. Dale Sorgen | 9,734 | 0.69% | |
| Republican | Max Sampson | 8,753 | 0.62% | |
| Republican | Javier O. Lopez | 6,131 | 0.43% | |
| Total votes | 1,409,867 | 100.00% | ||
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| The Cook Political Report[22] | Tossup | November 1, 2012 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[23] | Lean D | November 5, 2012 |
| Rothenberg Political Report[24] | Tilt D | November 2, 2012 |
| Real Clear Politics[25] | Tossup | November 5, 2012 |
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U.S. Representatives
Statewide officials
State legislators
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Aggregate polls
| Source of poll aggregation | Dates administered | Dates updated | Jay Inslee (D) | Rob McKenna (R) | Other/Undecided [b] | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Real Clear Politics[30] | October 14 – November 3, 2012 | November 3, 2012 | 47.3% | 46.3% | 6.4% | Inslee +1.0% |
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| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Jay Inslee (D) | Rob McKenna (R) | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling[31] | November 1–3, 2012 | 932 | ± 3.2% | 50% | 48% | 2% |
| KING5/SurveyUSA[32] | October 28–31, 2012 | 555 | ± 4.2% | 47% | 46% | 7% |
| KCTS 9/Washington Poll[33] | October 18–31, 2012 | 632 | ± 3.9% | 49% | 46% | 6% |
| Elway Poll[34] | October 18–21, 2012 | 451 | ± 4.5% | 45% | 47% | 10% |
| Strategies360[35] | October 17–20, 2012 | 500 | ± 4.4% | 45% | 45% | 10% |
| Public Policy Polling/WCV[36] | October 15–16, 2012 | 574 | ± n/a% | 48% | 42% | 10% |
| KCTS 9/Washington Poll[37] | October 1–16, 2012 | 782 | ± 3.5% | 48% | 45% | 8% |
| Rasmussen Reports[38] | October 14, 2012 | 500 | ± 4.5% | 47% | 45% | 9% |
| SurveyUSA[39] | October 12–14, 2012 | 543 | ± 4.3% | 47% | 44% | 9% |
| SurveyUSA[40] | September 28–30, 2012 | 540 | ± 4.3% | 48% | 42% | 10% |
| Rasmussen Reports[41] | September 26, 2012 | 500 | ± 4.5% | 46% | 45% | 9% |
| Public Elway Poll[42] | September 9–12, 2012 | 405 | ± 5% | 44% | 41% | 15% |
| Public Policy Polling[43] | September 7–9, 2012 | 563 | ± 4.2% | 48% | 42% | 10% |
| Survey USA[44] | September 7–9, 2012 | 524 | ± 4.4% | 49% | 44% | 7% |
| Survey USA[45] | August 2–3, 2012 | 524 | ± 4.4% | 48% | 45% | 7% |
| Elway Poll[46] | July 18–22, 2012 | 405 | ± 5.0% | 43% | 36% | 21% |
| Survey USA[47] | July 16–17, 2012 | 630 | ± 4.0% | 41% | 42% | 16% |
| Public Policy Polling[48] | June 14–17, 2012 | 1,073 | ± 3.0% | 40% | 43% | 17% |
| Elway Poll[49] | June 13–16, 2012 | 408 | ± 5.0% | 40% | 42% | 18% |
| Strategies360[50] | May 22–24, 2012 | 500 | ± 4.4% | 39% | 43% | 18% |
| Survey USA[51] | May 8–9, 2012 | 557 | ± 4.2% | 38% | 40% | 22% |
| Grove Insights (D)[52][A] | March 26–28, 2012 | 500 | ± 4.4% | 38% | 34% | 28% |
| Grove Insights (D)[53][A] | February 21–23, 2012 | 500 | ± 4.4% | 38% | 38% | 24% |
| Public Policy Polling[54] | February 16–19, 2012 | 1,264 | ± 2.8% | 42% | 42% | 16% |
| Survey USA[55] | February 13–15, 2012 | 572 | ± 4.2% | 39% | 49% | 12% |
| Elway Poll[56] | February 7–9, 2012 | 405 | ± 5.0% | 36% | 45% | 19% |
| Survey USA[57] | January 12–16, 2012 | 617 | ± 4.0% | 43% | 46% | 11% |
| Survey USA[58] | November 21–23, 2011 | 549 | ± 4.3% | 38% | 44% | 17% |
| Washington Poll[59] | October 10–30, 2011 | 938 | ± 3.2% | 38% | 44% | 18% |
| Survey USA[60] | September 21–22, 2011 | 529 | ± 4.3% | 38% | 44% | 18% |
| Survey USA[61] | June 24–26, 2011 | 600 | ± 4.4% | 47% | 44% | 9% |
| Public Policy Polling[62] | May 12–15, 2011 | 1,098 | ± 3.0% | 38% | 40% | 22% |
| Survey USA[63] | April 27–28, 2011 | 610 | ± 4.0% | 41% | 48% | 11% |
Christine Gregoire vs. Rob McKenna
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Christine Gregoire (D) | Rob McKenna (R) | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling[62] | May 12–15, 2011 | 1,098 | ± 3.0% | 40% | 49% | 11% |
| Survey USA[63] | April 27–28, 2011 | 610 | ± 4.0% | 40% | 52% | 7% |
Christine Gregoire vs. Dave Reichert
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Christine Gregoire (D) | Dave Reichert (R) | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling[62] | May 12–15, 2011 | 1,098 | ± 3.0% | 45% | 41% | 14% |
| Survey USA[63] | April 27–28, 2011 | 610 | ± 4.0% | 44% | 48% | 8% |
Jay Inslee vs. Dave Reichert
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Jay Inslee (D) | Dave Reichert (R) | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling[62] | May 12–15, 2011 | 1,098 | ± 3.0% | 42% | 36% | 22% |
| Survey USA[63] | April 27–28, 2011 | 610 | ± 4.0% | 44% | 46% | 10% |
Lisa Brown vs. Rob McKenna
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Lisa Brown (D) | Rob McKenna (R) | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling[64] | July 27-August 1, 2010 | 1,204 | ± 2.8% | 29% | 47% | 24% |
The race was close throughout the night, with results too close to call after 60 percent of ballots were counted.[65] Inslee was declared the winner early in the morning three days later; McKenna conceded later in the evening.[66]
Inslee won only eight of the state's 39 counties, relying on heavy margins in theSeattle metropolitan area to push him to victory.[67]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Jay Inslee | 1,582,802 | 51.54% | −1.70% | |
| Republican | Rob McKenna | 1,488,245 | 48.46% | +1.70% | |
| Total votes | 3,071,047 | 100.00% | N/A | ||
| Democratichold | |||||
| County[69] | Jay Inslee Democratic | Rob McKenna Republican | Margin | Total votes cast | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| # | % | # | % | # | % | ||
| Adams | 1,408 | 29.78% | 3,320 | 70.22% | -1,912 | -40.44% | 4,728 |
| Asotin | 4,027 | 41.50% | 5,677 | 58.50% | -1,650 | -17.00% | 9,704 |
| Benton | 27,291 | 34.97% | 50,757 | 65.03% | -23,466 | -30.07% | 78,048 |
| Chelan | 11,616 | 36.41% | 20,291 | 63.59% | -8,675 | -27.19% | 31,907 |
| Clallam | 17,516 | 46.66% | 20,021 | 53.34% | -2,505 | -6.67% | 37,537 |
| Clark | 86,732 | 46.92% | 98,131 | 53.08% | -11,399 | -6.17% | 184,863 |
| Columbia | 656 | 29.54% | 1,565 | 70.46% | -909 | -40.93% | 2,221 |
| Cowlitz | 21,051 | 48.21% | 22,612 | 51.79% | -1,561 | -3.58% | 43,663 |
| Douglas | 4,746 | 31.88% | 10,139 | 68.12% | -5,393 | -36.23% | 14,885 |
| Ferry | 1,299 | 37.98% | 2,121 | 62.02% | -822 | -24.04% | 3,420 |
| Franklin | 8,181 | 36.50% | 14,232 | 63.50% | -6,051 | -27.00% | 22,413 |
| Garfield | 333 | 26.58% | 920 | 73.42% | -587 | -46.85% | 1,253 |
| Grant | 8,654 | 31.59% | 18,742 | 68.41% | -10,088 | -36.82% | 27,396 |
| Grays Harbor | 14,491 | 50.90% | 13,978 | 49.10% | 513 | 1.80% | 28,469 |
| Island | 19,324 | 46.67% | 22,082 | 53.33% | -2,758 | -6.66% | 41,406 |
| Jefferson | 12,176 | 62.29% | 7,370 | 37.71% | 4,806 | 24.59% | 19,546 |
| King | 590,879 | 62.36% | 356,713 | 37.64% | 234,166 | 24.71% | 947,592 |
| Kitsap | 60,578 | 49.72% | 61,261 | 50.28% | -683 | -0.56% | 121,839 |
| Kittitas | 7,137 | 39.90% | 10,752 | 60.10% | -3,615 | -20.21% | 17,889 |
| Klickitat | 4,442 | 44.07% | 5,638 | 55.93% | -1,196 | -11.87% | 10,080 |
| Lewis | 11,865 | 35.03% | 22,002 | 64.97% | -10,137 | -29.93% | 33,867 |
| Lincoln | 1,716 | 29.57% | 4,088 | 70.43% | -2,372 | -40.87% | 5,804 |
| Mason | 13,175 | 47.25% | 14,708 | 52.75% | -1,533 | -5.50% | 27,883 |
| Okanogan | 6,759 | 40.55% | 9,909 | 59.45% | -3,150 | -18.90% | 16,668 |
| Pacific | 5,379 | 51.73% | 5,020 | 48.27% | 359 | 3.45% | 10,399 |
| Pend Oreille | 2,442 | 37.06% | 4,148 | 62.94% | -1,706 | -25.89% | 6,590 |
| Pierce | 164,211 | 48.54% | 174,078 | 51.46% | -9,867 | -2.92% | 338,289 |
| San Juan | 6,763 | 64.82% | 3,671 | 35.18% | 3,092 | 29.63% | 10,434 |
| Skagit | 25,878 | 47.33% | 28,803 | 52.67% | -2,925 | -5.35% | 54,681 |
| Skamania | 2,434 | 45.92% | 2,867 | 54.08% | -433 | -8.17% | 5,301 |
| Snohomish | 166,452 | 51.23% | 158,440 | 48.77% | 8,012 | 2.47% | 324,892 |
| Spokane | 95,354 | 43.49% | 123,894 | 56.51% | -28,540 | -13.02% | 219,248 |
| Stevens | 7,426 | 33.79% | 14,554 | 66.21% | -7,128 | -32.43% | 21,980 |
| Thurston | 67,353 | 53.75% | 57,948 | 46.25% | 9,405 | 7.51% | 125,301 |
| Wahkiakum | 964 | 42.83% | 1,287 | 57.17% | -323 | -14.35% | 2,251 |
| Walla Walla | 9,353 | 38.03% | 15,238 | 61.97% | -5,885 | -23.93% | 24,591 |
| Whatcom | 53,599 | 53.10% | 47,340 | 46.90% | 6,259 | 6.20% | 100,939 |
| Whitman | 7,351 | 43.83% | 9,421 | 56.17% | -2,070 | -12.34% | 16,772 |
| Yakima | 31,791 | 41.67% | 44,507 | 58.33% | -12,716 | -16.67% | 76,298 |
| Totals | 1,582,802 | 51.54% | 1,488,245 | 48.46% | 94,557 | 3.08% | 3,071,047 |
Swing by county
Trend relative to the state by county
County flipsDemocratic Hold | Republican Hold Gain from Democratic
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Inslee won five of ten congressional districts, with the remaining five going to McKenna, including one that elected a Democrat.[70]
| District | Inslee | McKenna | Representative |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 48% | 52% | Suzan DelBene |
| 2nd | 54% | 46% | Rick Larsen |
| 3rd | 46% | 54% | Jaime Herrera Beutler |
| 4th | 37% | 63% | Doc Hastings |
| 5th | 42% | 58% | Cathy McMorris Rodgers |
| 6th | 51% | 49% | Norm Dicks |
| Derek Kilmer | |||
| 7th | 74% | 26% | Jim McDermott |
| 8th | 43% | 57% | Dave Reichert |
| 9th | 61% | 39% | Adam Smith |
| 10th | 51% | 49% | Denny Heck |
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