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2012 North Carolina Council of State election

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2012 North Carolina Council of State election

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FieldValue
election_name2012 North Carolina Council of State election
countryNorth Carolina
typelegislative
ongoingno
previous_election2008 North Carolina Council of State election
previous_year2008
next_election2016 North Carolina Council of State election
next_year2016
seats_for_electionAll 10 members of the North Carolina Council of State
election_date
party1Democratic Party (United States)
last_election18
seats1**6**
seat_change12
percentage1**53.87%**
swing10.65%
party2Republican Party (United States)
last_election22
seats24
seat_change22
percentage246.08%
swing20.32%

Elections were held in North Carolina on 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.

The nine members of the North Carolina Council of State are statewide-elected officers serving four-year terms. In the 2012 elections, all incumbents who ran for new terms were re-elected, while the Governor and Lieutenant Governor's seats were open following incumbent Bev Perdue's decision to retire, and Walter Dalton's decision to run for governor, respectively.

The partisan makeup of the Council of State changed from 8 Democrats and 2 Republicans before the election to 6 Democrats and 4 Republicans afterward, as Republicans flipped both the Governor and Lieutenant Governor.

Governor

Main article: North Carolina gubernatorial election, 2012

Republican Pat McCrory was elected governor.

Lieutenant governor

Main article: North Carolina lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2012

Republican Dan Forest was elected lieutenant governor.

Attorney general

Main article: North Carolina Attorney General election, 2012

Roy Cooper, the Democratic incumbent attorney general, ran for re-election unopposed.

Results

Secretary of State

|[[File:2012 North Carolina secretary of state election results map by county.svg|325px]] |County results |[[File:2012 North Carolina secretary of state election results map by congressional district.svg|325px]] |Congressional district results}} | Marshall:
| Goodwin:

Democratic primary

  • Elaine Marshall, the Democratic incumbent Secretary of State, ran for re-election.

Republican primary

  • Michael Beitler, business professor; Libertarian nominee for US Senator in 2010 (changed his registration to Republican to run for secretary of state)
  • A.J. Daoud, business owner
  • Kenn Gardner, former Wake County commissioner
  • Ed Goodwin, Chowan County commissioner, retired Naval Criminal Investigative Service agent

Polling

Poll sourceDate(s)
administeredSample
sizeMargin of
errorMichael
BeitlerA.J.
DaoudKenn
GardnerEddy
GoodwinUndecided
Public Policy PollingMay 5–6, 2012496± 4.4%8%11%**23%**14%**45%**
Public Policy PollingApril 27–29, 2012486± 4.4%7%9%**20%**11%**52%**
Public Policy PollingApril 20–22, 2012521± 4.3%6%6%**17%**10%**61%**

Primary results

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.

General election

Polling

Poll sourceDate(s)
administeredSample
sizeMargin of
errorElaine
Marshall (D)Ed
Goodwin (R)Undecided
Public Policy PollingOctober 23–25, 2012880 LV± 3.3%**43%**38%19%
Public Policy PollingSeptember 27–30, 2012981± 3.1%**41%**34%24%
Public Policy PollingAugust 2–5, 2012813± 3.4%**43%**37%19%

Results

State Auditor

Democratic primary

  • Beth A. Wood, the Democratic incumbent State Auditor, ran for re-election.

Republican primary

  • Joseph Hank DeBragga, auditor for North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
  • Greg Dority, three-time congressional candidate, Beaufort County Republican Party chairman
  • Debra Goldman, Wake County School Board member
  • Fern Shubert, former state senator, former state representative, certified public accountant
  • Rudy Wright, Mayor of Hickory, former certified public accountant

Polling

Poll sourceDate(s)
administeredSample
sizeMargin of
errorJoseph
DeBraggaGreg
DorityDebra
GoldmanFern
ShubertRudy
WrightUndecided
Public Policy PollingMay 5–6, 2012496± 4.4%5%16%**17%**11%8%**44%**
Public Policy PollingApril 27–29, 2012486± 4.4%3%**18%**16%9%3%**51%**
Public Policy PollingApril 20–22, 2012521± 4.3%4%11%**12%**7%4%**61%**

Primary results

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

General election

Polling

Poll sourceDate(s)
administeredSample
sizeMargin of
errorBeth
Wood (D)Debra
Goldman (R)Undecided
Public Policy PollingOctober 29–31, 2012730± 3.6%**50%**38%12%
Public Policy PollingOctober 23–25, 2012880 LV± 3.3%**45%**38%18%
Public Policy PollingAugust 31–September 1, 20121,012± 3.1%**40%**38%22%
Public Policy PollingJuly 5–8, 2012775± 3.5%**39%**36%25%
Public Policy PollingJune 7–10, 2012810± 3.4%**36%****36%**29%

Results

Results by county

| | | | | | ]]

State Treasurer

|[[File:2012 North Carolina state treasurer election results map by county.svg|325px]] |County results |[[File:2012 North Carolina state treasurer election results map by congressional district.svg|325px]] |Congressional district results}} Royal:

Democratic primary

  • Janet Cowell, the Democratic incumbent State Treasurer, ran for re-election.
  • Ron Elmer, investment consultant

Polling

Poll sourceDate(s)
administeredSample
sizeMargin of
errorJanet
CowellRon
ElmerUndecided
Public Policy PollingApril 27–29, 2012500± 4.4%**50%**11%39%
Public Policy PollingApril 20–22, 2012500± 4.4%**38%**11%**51%**
Public Policy PollingMarch 23–25, 2012505± 4.36%**34%**12%**55%**
Public Policy PollingFebruary 29–March 1, 2012499± 4.4%**32%**14%**54%**

Primary results

Republican primary

  • Frank Roche, talk radio host
  • Steve Royal, certified public accountant

Polling

Poll sourceDate(s)
administeredSample
sizeMargin of
errorFrank
RocheSteve
RoyalUndecided
Public Policy PollingMay 5–6, 2012496± 4.4%24%**30%****47%**
Public Policy PollingApril 27–29, 2012486± 4.4%17%**27%****57%**

Primary results

General election

Polling

Poll sourceDate(s)
administeredSample
sizeMargin of
errorJanet
Cowell (D)Steve
Royal (R)Undecided
Public Policy PollingOctober 29–31, 2012730± 3.6%**46%**41%13%
Public Policy PollingAugust 31–September 1, 20121,012± 3.1%**42%**38%20%
Public Policy PollingJuly 5–8, 2012775± 3.5%**38%**35%27%
Public Policy PollingOctober 12–14, 20121,084± 3%**34%**33%33%

Results

Superintendent of Public Instruction

Main article: 2012 North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction election

|[[File:2012 North Carolina superintendent of public instruction election results map by county.svg|325px]] |County results |[[File:2012 North Carolina secretary of state election results map by congressional district.svg|325px]] |Congressional district results}} Tedesco:

Democratic primary

  • June Atkinson, the Democratic incumbent Superintendent, ran for re-election.

Withdrawn Candidates

  • Rick Glazier, state representative

Republican primary

  • Richard Alexander, South Carolina teacher and former small business owner
  • Mark Crawford, former state representative
  • Ray Martin, teacher
  • David Scholl, businessman and Union County School Board member
  • John Tedesco, Wake County School Board member

Polling

Poll sourceDate(s)
administeredSample
sizeMargin of
errorRichard
AlexanderMark
CrawfordRay
MartinDavid
SchollJohn
TedescoUndecided
Public Policy PollingMay 5–6, 2012496± 4.4%14%12%6%6%**16%****45%**
Public Policy PollingApril 27–29, 2012486± 4.4%13%8%5%6%**16%****52%**
Public Policy PollingApril 20–22, 2012521± 4.3%13%6%5%4%**16%****57%**

Primary results

As the runner-up, Alexander requested a runoff.

General election

Polling

Poll sourceDate(s)
administeredSample
sizeMargin of
errorJune
Atkinson (D)John
Tedesco (R)Undecided
Public Policy PollingOctober 23–25, 2012880 LV± 3.3%**42%**40%18%
Public Policy PollingSeptember 27–30, 2012981± 3.1%**44%**34%22%
Public Policy PollingAugust 2–5, 2012813± 3.4%**44%**37%19%

Results

Commissioner of Agriculture

|[[File:2012 North Carolina commissioner of agriculture election results map by county.svg|325px]] |County results |[[File:2012 North Carolina commissioner of agriculture election results map by congressional district.svg|325px]] |Congressional district results}} | Troxler:
| Smith:

Republican primary

  • Bill McManus, real estate investor, former attorney and accountant, former Democratic member of Massachusetts House of Representatives
  • Steve Troxler, the Republican incumbent Commissioner, ran for re-election.

Polling

Poll sourceDate(s)
administeredSample
sizeMargin of
errorBill
McManusSteve
TroxlerUndecided
Public Policy PollingApril 27–29, 2012486± 4.4%17%**48%**35%
Public Policy PollingApril 20–22, 2012521± 4.3%17%**41%****42%**

Primary results

Democratic primary

  • Scott Bryant, farmer and former law enforcement officer
  • Walter Smith, farmer, former USDA official, former mayor of Boonville

Polling

Poll sourceDate(s)
administeredSample
sizeMargin of
errorScott
BryantWalter
SmithUndecided
Public Policy PollingMay 5–6, 2012500± 3.1%**21%**19%**60%**
Public Policy PollingApril 27–29, 2012505± 4.36%**20%**17%**63%**
Public Policy PollingMarch 23–25, 2012505± 4.36%**17%**12%**71%**
Public Policy PollingFebruary 29–March 1, 2012499± 4.4%**14%**13%**73%**

Primary results

General election

Polling

Poll sourceDate(s)
administeredSample
sizeMargin of
errorSteve
Troxler (R)Walter
Smith (D)Undecided
Public Policy PollingOctober 29–31, 2012730± 3.6%**48%**38%14%
Public Policy PollingAugust 31–September 1, 20121,012± 3.1%**45%**35%20%
Public Policy PollingJuly 5–8, 2012775± 3.5%**46%**34%20%
Public Policy PollingJune 7–10, 2012810± 3.4%**45%**31%25%

Results

Commissioner of Labor

Republican primary

  • Cherie Berry, the Republican incumbent Commissioner, ran for re-election.

Democratic primary

  • John C. Brooks, former Commissioner of Labor
  • Marlowe Foster, public affairs director for Pfizer (registered lobbyist), former Winston-Salem State University official
  • Ty Richardson, 2008 candidate

Polling

Poll sourceDate(s)
administeredSample
sizeMargin of
errorJohn
BrooksMarlowe
FosterTy
RichardsonUndecided
Public Policy PollingMay 5–6, 2012500± 3.1%18%14%**30%****38%**
Public Policy PollingApril 27–29, 2012500± 4.4%20%12%**26%****42%**
Public Policy PollingApril 20–22, 2012500± 4.4%**18%**10%**18%****54%**
Public Policy PollingMarch 23–25, 2012505± 4.36%18%8%**22%****51%**
Public Policy PollingFebruary 29–March 1, 2012499± 4.4%13%9%**26%****52%**

Primary results

As the runner-up, Foster requested a runoff.

General election

Polling

Poll sourceDate(s)
administeredSample
sizeMargin of
errorCherie
Berry (R)John
Brooks (D)Undecided
Public Policy PollingOctober 23–25, 2012880 LV± 3.3%**43%**37%19%
Public Policy PollingSeptember 27–30, 2012981± 3.1%**41%**37%22%
Public Policy PollingAugust 2–5, 2012813± 3.4%**44%**34%22%

Results

Results by county

| | | | | | ]]

Commissioner of Insurance

Democratic primary

  • Wayne Goodwin, the Democratic incumbent Commissioner, ran for re-election.

Republican primary

  • Mike Causey, former lobbyist
  • James McCall, insurance agent
  • Richard T. Morgan, former state representative

Polling

Poll sourceDate(s)
administeredSample
sizeMargin of
errorMike
CauseyJames
McCallRichard
MorganUndecided
Public Policy PollingMay 5–6, 2012496± 4.4%**20%**14%19%**47%**
Public Policy PollingApril 27–29, 2012486± 4.4%12%12%**25%****51%**
Public Policy PollingApril 20–22, 2012521± 4.3%13%10%**17%****60%**

Primary results

As the runner-up, Causey requested a runoff. 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.

General election

Polling

Poll sourceDate(s)
administeredSample
sizeMargin of
errorWayne
Goodwin (D)Mike
Causey (R)Undecided
Public Policy PollingOctober 23–25, 2012880 LV± 3.3%**45%**36%19%
Public Policy PollingSeptember 27–30, 2012981± 3.1%**41%**36%23%
Public Policy PollingAugust 2–5, 2012813± 3.4%**40%**36%24%
Results by county

| | | | | | ]]

References

References

  1. "Elections". North Carolina State Board of Elections.
  2. "News & Observer: It's official".
  3. "Article III". State of North Carolina.
  4. "Daily Reflector".
  5. Staff Reports. (October 20, 2011). "Elaine Marshall announces she'll run again". Raleigh News & Observer.
  6. (August 26, 2011}}{{Dead link). "Beitler enters state race". Northwest Observer.
  7. http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/elaine_marshall_touts_better_fundraising_than_the_obama_campaign {{Dead link. (October 2022)
  8. "NC State Board of Elections: Candidate filing list".
  9. (January 9, 2012). "Chowan commissioner to run for Secretary of State".
  10. [http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/gop_secretary_of_state_candidates_trade_blows_about_biographies News & Observer: GOP secretary of state candidates trade blows about biographies]
  11. [http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/2011/PPP_Release_NC_506.pdf Public Policy Polling]
  12. [http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/2011/PPP_Release_NC_050212.pdf Public Policy Polling]
  13. [http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/2011/PPP_Release_NC_425.pdf Public Policy Polling]
  14. "State Board of Elections: Primary results".
  15. (July 28, 2012). "Candidates Meet Deadline For Primary Run-Offs | digtriad.com".
  16. "State Board of Elections: 2nd Primary results".
  17. [http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/2011/PPP_Release_NC_1025.pdf Public Policy Polling]
  18. [http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/2011/PPP_Release_NC_1001.pdf Public Policy Polling]
  19. [http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/2011/PPP_Release_NC_080812.pdf Public Policy Polling]
  20. "State Board of Elections: General election results".
  21. [http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/auditor_beth_wood_announces_reelection_bid News & Observer: Auditor Beth Wood announces reelection bid]
  22. "WWAY-TV".
  23. "Primary Voter Guide". North Carolina State Board of Elections.
  24. [http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/greg_dority_switches_races_sets_up_gop_primary_for_state_auditor News & Observer: Greg Dority switches races]
  25. [http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/debra_goldman_announces_for_state_auditor News & Observer: Debra Goldman announces for state auditor]
  26. [http://ncfef.org/Images/2012_Election_Tracker.pdf 2012 Election Tracker] {{webarchive. link. (November 11, 2011)
  27. (September 19, 2012). "Election lineups set for primary contests | Hickory Daily Record".
  28. [http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/gop_auditor_candidate_wont_seek_runoff News & Observer: GOP auditor candidate won't seek runoff]
  29. [http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/2011/PPP_Release_NC_1031.pdf Public Policy Polling]
  30. [http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/2011/PPP_Release_NC_9032.pdf Public Policy Polling]
  31. [http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/2011/PPP_Release_NC_071112.pdf Public Policy Polling]
  32. [http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/2011/PPP_Release_NC_061312.pdf Public Policy Polling]
  33. [http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/democratic_state_treasurer_wont_seek_higher_office_in_2012 News & Observer: Democratic state treasurer won't seek higher office]
  34. [http://www.newsobserver.com/2012/05/03/2042786/two-incumbent-state-elected-officials.html News & Observer: Two state incumbents face primary challengers]
  35. [http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/2011/PPP_Release_NC_430.pdf Public Policy Polling]
  36. [http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/2011/PPP_Release_NC_423.pdf Public Policy Polling]
  37. [http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/2011/PPP_Release_NC_032812.pdf Public Policy Polling]
  38. [http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/2011/PPP_Release_NC_302Dem.pdf Public Policy Polling]
  39. [http://projects.newsobserver.com/node/24001 News & Observer: Conservative talk radio host joins state treasurer's race]
  40. [http://www.journalpatriot.com/news/article_34c18468-5f1c-11e1-9b75-0019bb30f31a.html Wilkes Journal Patriot]
  41. [http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/2011/PPP_Release_NC_1016.pdf Public Policy Polling]
  42. [http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/atkinson_will_seek_reelection_for_state_superintendent News & Observer: Atkinson will seek reelection for state superintendent]
  43. Barksdale, Andrew. (November 7, 2011). "Rep. Rick Glazier may run for N.C. Superintendent of Public Instruction". Fayetteville Observer.
  44. [http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/glazier_says_hell_run_for_superintendent_of_public_instruction_nomination News & Observer: Glazier says he'll run for superintendent of public instruction nomination]
  45. [http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/rick_glazier_abandons_bid_for_superintendent_will_seek_reelection_to_house News & Observer: Rick Glazier abandons bid for superintendent, will seek reelection]
  46. [http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/richard_alexander_running_for_superintendent_of_public_instruction News & Observer: Richard Alexander running for superintendent of public instruction]
  47. [https://twitter.com/Politics1com/status/173223299894091776 Politics1]
  48. [http://www.newsobserver.com/2012/01/19/1788325/a-fellow-democrat-wants-atkinsons.html News & Observer: A fellow Democrat wants Atkinson's job]
  49. [http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/republican_school_board_member_enters_superintendent_race News & Observer: Republican school board member enters superintendent race]
  50. [http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2012/05/17/3247347/list-of-contest-nc-races.html Charlotte Observer]{{Dead link. (September 2019)
  51. [http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/agriculture_commissioner_announces_reelection_bid News & Observer: Agriculture commissioner announces re-election bid]
  52. [http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/chatham_farmer_to_run_for_agriculture_commissioner News & Observer: Chatham farmer to run for agriculture commissioner]
  53. [http://www2.journalnow.com/news/2012/feb/23/3/democrat-files-in-nc-senate-district-30-ar-1964562/ Winston-Salem Journal]
  54. [http://www.wral.com/news/state/nccapitol/story/10720966/ WRAL.com]
  55. Bonner, I.. (October 18, 2011). "Democrat announces for Labor Commissioner". Raleigh News & Observer.
  56. "Winston-Salem Journal".
  57. [http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/marlowe_foster_seeks_runoff_in_democratic_labor_commissioner_race News & Observer: Marlowe Foster seeks runoff] {{webarchive. link. (December 22, 2013)
  58. (October 11, 2011). "N.C. Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin Announces Run for Re-election, Raises Record Campaign Cash". NC Democratic Party.
  59. [http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/repubilcan_candidate_for_insurance_commissioner_announces_today News & Observer: Republican candidate for insurance commissioner announces today]
  60. [http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/another_repubilcan_candidate_for_insurance_commissioner News & Observer: Another Republican candidate for insurance commissioner]
  61. [http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/richard_morgan_files_for_insurance_commissioner News & Observer: Richard Morgan files for insurance commissioner]
  62. [http://www.blueridgenow.com/article/20120517/APN/1205170837 Blue Ridge Now]
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