2012 North Carolina gubernatorial election explained

Election Name:	2012 North Carolina gubernatorial election
Country:	North Carolina
Type:	presidential
Ongoing:	no
Previous Election:	2008 North Carolina gubernatorial election
Previous Year:	2008
Next Election:	2016 North Carolina gubernatorial election
Next Year:	2016
Turnout:	67.30%
Image1:	File:Pat-McCrory June-2015(crop).jpg
Nominee1:	Pat McCrory
Party1:	Republican Party (United States)
Popular Vote1:	2,440,707
Percentage1:	54.62%
Nominee2:	Walter H. Dalton
Party2:	Democratic Party (United States)
Popular Vote2:	1,931,580
Percentage2:	43.23%
Map Size:	325px
Governor
Before Election:	Bev Perdue
Before Party:	Democratic Party (United States)
After Election:	Pat McCrory
After Party:	Republican Party (United States)

The 2012 North Carolina gubernatorial election took place on November 6, 2012, concurrently with the 2012 United States presidential election, U.S. House election, statewide judicial election, Council of State election and various local elections.

The incumbent Democratic governor, Bev Perdue, was eligible to run for reelection, but announced on January 26, 2012, that she would not seek a second term. Incumbent lieutenant governor Walter H. Dalton won the Democratic nomination, while former mayor of Charlotte and 2008 gubernatorial nominee Pat McCrory won the Republican nomination. McCrory won the election with almost 55 percent of the vote to Dalton's 43 percent, the largest margin of victory for a Republican in a race for governor in history, surpassing the previous record set in 1868.

Libertarian nominee Barbara Howe took 2% of the vote. When he was inaugurated as the 74th governor of North Carolina in January 2013, the Republicans held complete control of state government for the first time since 1871. As of 2024, this is the last time that a Republican was elected Governor of North Carolina.

It was also the last time the state concurrently voted for a gubernatorial candidate and presidential candidate of the same party, and the last time a Republican candidate won Mecklenburg County in a statewide election. This is the last time that a gubernatorial nominee and a lieutenant gubernatorial nominee of the same political party were elected governor and lieutenant governor in North Carolina.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Bruce Blackmon, physician^[1]
• Walter H. Dalton, Lieutenant Governor^[2]
• Gary M. Dunn,^[3] salesman and UNC-Charlotte student^[4]
• Bob Etheridge, former U.S. Representative^[5]
• Bill Faison, state representative^[6]
• Gardenia Henley, retired U.S. Agency for International Development auditor^[7]

Declined

• Dan Blue, state senator^[8]
• Erskine Bowles, chairman of the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform, former UNC System president, former White House Chief of Staff^[9]
• Roy Cooper, Attorney General of North Carolina^[10]
• Janet Cowell, state treasurer^[11]
• Cal Cunningham, former state senator^[12]
• Anthony Foxx, mayor of Charlotte^[13]
• Kay Hagan, U.S. Senator^[14]
• Jim Hunt, former governor^[10]
• Allen Joines, Mayor of Winston-Salem^[15]
• Mike McIntyre, U.S. Representative^[16]
• Brad Miller, U.S. Representative^[17]
• Richard H. Moore, former North Carolina State Treasurer and candidate for governor in 2008^[18]
• Bev Perdue, incumbent governor^[19]
• Heath Shuler, U.S. Representative^[20]

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	class=small	Sample size	Margin of error	Bruce Blackmon	Walter H. Dalton	Gary Dunn	Bob Etheridge	Bill Faison	Gardenia Henley	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	May 5–6, 2012	500	± 3.1%	2%	align=center	34%	4%	29%	4%	4%	24%
Survey USA	April 26–30, 2012	560	± 4.2%	2%	align=center	32%	5%	23%	5%	3%	30%
Public Policy Polling	April 27–29, 2012	500	± 4.4%	3%	align=center	36%	2%	26%	5%	3%	25%
Civitas/Survey USA	April 20–23, 2012	448	± 4.7%	3%	align=center	32%	3%	27%	4%	2%	27%
Public Policy Polling	April 20–22, 2012	500	± 4.4%	4%	align=center	26%	4%	25%	5%	2%	align=center	35%
Public Policy Polling	March 23–25, 2012	505	± 4.4%	5%	15%	4%	align=center	26%	3%	2%	align=center	45%
Public Policy Polling	February 29 – March 1, 2012	499	± 4.4%	5%	19%	2%	align=center	26%	2%	4%	align=center	41%

Poll source	Date(s) administered	class=small	Sample size	Margin of error	Dan Blue	Walter H. Dalton	Bob Etheridge	Bill Faison	Mike McIntyre	Brad Miller	Richard Moore	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	February 3–5, 2012	400	± 4.9%	13%	10%	align=center	21%	2%	6%	8%	7%	align=center	33%
	11%	20%	align=center	24%	4%	—	—	—	align=center	41%
	—	22%	align=center	25%	6%	7%	—	—	align=center	40%
	—	20%	align=center	24%	4%	—	11%	—	align=center	41%
	—	21%	align=center	24%	5%	—	—	8%	align=center	41%
	—	24%	align=center	30%	6%	—	—	—	align=center	39%

Debates

A series of televised debates between candidates Dalton, Etheridge and Faison, held April 16–18, was considered potentially pivotal, since "the governor’s race has so far attracted little attention, created little buzz and produced few political commercials" and "polls suggest there is still a large swath of Democratic voters who have yet to decide" for whom to vote.^[21] The first debate, conducted by WRAL-TV and broadcast statewide, featured few differences between the candidates, but Faison was seen as the aggressor.^[22] The second debate (conducted by UNC-TV) was more contentious, with Dalton criticizing Etheridge's support of a free trade agreement while he was in Congress, and Etheridge attacking Dalton over his attendance record on boards and commissions and his alleged failure to speak out against the actions of the majority-Republican legislature.^[23] In the final debate of the series, this one conducted by WNCN-TV and the North Carolina League of Women Voters, candidates were considered to be more "muted" in their criticisms of each other. All three spoke out strongly against a voter ID bill proposed by Republicans in the state legislature. Dalton emphasized modernizing the state's economy, Etheridge continued his themes of leadership and education, and Faison most sharply attacked Republicans and called for action on the state's unemployment problem.^[24]

Results

Republican primary

Candidates

• Jim Harney, businessman^[25]
• Scott Jones, businessman^[26]
• Jim Mahan, small businessman and former teacher^[27]
• Pat McCrory, former mayor of Charlotte and nominee for governor in 2008^[28]
• Charles Kenneth Moss, businessman and preacher^{[29] [30]}
• Paul Wright, attorney and former District Court and Superior Court judge^[29]

Declined

• Phil Berger, State Senate President Pro Tem^[31]
• Cherie Berry, state labor commissioner (running for re-election)^[32]
• Peter Brunstetter, state senator^[33]
• Paul Coble, former mayor of Raleigh and current chairman of the Wake County Board of Commissioners (running for Congress)^[34]
• Steve Troxler, state Agriculture Commissioner (running for re-election)^[35]

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	class=small	Sample size	Margin of error	Jim Harney	Scott Jones	Jim Mahan	Pat McCrory	Charles Moss	Paul Wright	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	May 5–6, 2012	496	± 4.4%	2%	3%	2%	align=center	70%	1%	2%	20%
Survey USA	April 26–30, 2012	451	± 4.5%	3%	3%	2%	align=center	65%	3%	2%	21%
Public Policy Polling	April 27–29, 2012	486	± 4.4%	4%	2%	2%	align=center	66%	0%	2%	24%
Public Policy Polling	April 20–22, 2012	521	± 4.3%	3%	1%	2%	align=center	67%	1%	2%	23%
Public Policy Polling	March 22–25, 2012	561	± 4.1%	2%	1%	3%	align=center	64%	2%	0%	28%

Poll source	Date(s) administered	class=small	Sample size	Margin of error	Pat McCrory	Someone more	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	September 1–4, 2011	400	± 4.9%	40%	align=center	46%	—	15%

Poll source	Date(s) administered	class=small	Sample size	Margin of error	Phil Berger	Cherie Berry	Tom Fetzer	Virginia Foxx	Pat McCrory	Patrick McHenry	Sue Myrick	Fred Smith	Other/ Undecided
Public Policy Polling	November 19–21, 2010	400	± 4.9%	2%	3%	12%	11%	align=center	37%	3%	6%	4%	22%

Results

General election

Candidates

• Walter H. Dalton (D), lieutenant governor
• Barbara Howe (L), nominee for governor in 2000 and 2004^[36]
• Pat McCrory (R), former mayor of Charlotte and nominee for governor in 2008

Predictions

Source	Ranking	As of
align=left	The Cook Political Report^[37]		November 1, 2012
align=left	Sabato's Crystal Ball^[38]		November 5, 2012
align=left	Rothenberg Political Report^[39]		November 2, 2012
align=left	Real Clear Politics^[40]		November 5, 2012

Debates

• Complete video of debate, October 3, 2012 - C-SPAN
• Complete video of debate, October 16, 2012 - C-SPAN
• Complete video of debate, October 24, 2012 - C-SPAN

Dalton and McCrory met for their first televised debate at the studios of UNC-TV on October 3, 2012. Two debates were sponsored by the North Carolina Association of Broadcasters Educational Foundation, with the third and final debate sponsored by WRAL-TV and the Rocky Mount Chamber of Commerce. Howe was not invited to participate in any of the scheduled debates. The Associated Press characterized Dalton as going "on the offensive" against McCrory in the first debate.^[41] The final encounter between the two candidates, held Oct. 24 on the campus of North Carolina Wesleyan College, featured "more subdued disagreements over taxes, education, health care and mental health."^[42]

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	class=small	Sample size	Margin of error	width=100px	Walter H. Dalton (D)	width=100px	Pat McCrory (R)	width=100px	Barbara Howe (L)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	November 3–4, 2012	926	± 3.2%	43%	align=center	50%	4%	—	3%
Public Policy Polling	October 29–31, 2012	730	± 3.6%	39%	align=center	50%	4%	—	7%
WRAL News/SurveyUSA	October 26–29, 2012	682	± 3.8%	36%	align=center	53%	—	—	11%
Elon University	October 21–26, 2012	1,238	± 2.8%	38%	align=center	52%	—	2%	8%
Rasmussen Reports	October 25, 2012	500	± 4.5%	35%	align=center	54%	—	1%	10%
Public Policy Polling	October 23–25, 2012	880	± 3.3%	37%	align=center	50%	5%	—	8%
Rasmussen Reports	October 17, 2012	500	± 4.5%	42%	align=center	53%	—	—	4%
Public Policy Polling	October 12–14, 2012	1,084	± 3%	37%	align=center	47%	5%	—	11%
Rasmussen Reports	October 9, 2012	500	± 4.5%	38%	align=center	52%	—	—	10%
Gravis Marketing	October 6–8, 2012	1,325	± 2.9%	33%	align=center	50%	—	—	17%
Rasmussen Reports	October 2, 2012	500	± 4.5%	38%	align=center	54%	—	1%	7%
Survey USA	September 29 – October 1, 2012	573	± 4.2%	39%	align=center	51%	3%	—	7%
Public Policy Polling	September 27–30, 2012	981	± 3.1%	37%	align=center	47%	5%	—	10%
WSJ/NBC News/Marist	September 23–25, 2012	1,035	± 3.4%	39%	align=center	52%	—	—	8%
Civitas	September 18–19, 2012	600	± 4%	38%	align=center	49%	3%	—	10%
Rasmussen Reports	September 13, 2012	500	± 3.4%	38%	align=center	51%	1%	—	10%
Survey USA/Civitas	September 4–6, 2012	500	± 3.4%	39%	align=center	55%	4%	—	29%
Public Policy Polling	August 31 – September 2, 2012	1,012	± 3.4%	39%	align=center	45%	5%	—	10%
Elon Univ./Charlotte Observer	August 25–30, 2012	1,089	± 3.4%	37%	align=center	52%	—	—	11%
Public Policy Polling	August 2–5, 2012	813	± 3.4%	38%	align=center	45%	7%	—	11%
Rasmussen Reports	July 27, 2012	500	± 4.5%	41%	align=center	46%	—	3%	10%
Civitas	July 16–18, 2012	600	± 4%	37%	align=center	47%	6%	—	4%
Public Policy Polling	July 5–8, 2012	775	± 3.5%	36%	align=center	43%	9%	—	12%
Survey USA	June 29 – July 1, 2012	558	± 4.2%	44%	align=center	46%	7%	—	3%
Rasmussen Reports	June 25, 2012	500	± 4.5%	35%	align=center	49%	—	4%	12%
NBC News/Marist	June 24–25, 2012	1,019	± 3.1%	41%	align=center	43%	—	—	17%
Public Policy Polling	June 7–10, 2012	810	± 3.4%	40%	align=center	47%	—	—	13%
Survey USA	May 18–21, 2012	524	± 4.4%	39%	align=center	44%	7%	—	10%
Civitas	May 19–20, 2012	600	± 4%	38%	align=center	48%	—	—	12%
Rasmussen Reports	May 14, 2012	500	± 4.5%	41%	align=center	50%	—	1%	8%
Public Policy Polling	May 10–13, 2012	666	± 3.8%	40%	align=center	46%	—	—	13%
Rasmussen Reports	April 10, 2012	500	± 4.5%	36%	align=center	45%	—	5%	14%
Public Policy Polling	March 8–11, 2012	804	± 3.5%	35%	align=center	46%	—	—	19%
Civitas	February 27–28, 2012	600	± 4%	29%	align=center	49%	—	—	22%
Public Policy Polling	January 27–29, 2012	554	± 4.2%	35%	align=center	50%	—	—	15%
Public Policy Polling	September 30 – October 3, 2011	760	± 3.6%	32%	align=center	46%	—	—	23%
Public Policy Polling	March 17–20, 2011	584	± 4.1%	27%	align=center	47%	—	—	26%

Democratic primary polling with Perdue

Poll source	Date(s) administered	class=small	Sample size	Margin of error	Bill Faison	Bev Perdue	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	December 1–4, 2011	392	± 5.0%	23%	align=center	55%	—	23%
Public Policy Polling	September 30 – October 3, 2011	353	± 3.6%	18%	align=center	62%	—	20%

Republican primary with Ellmers, Troxler

Poll source	Date(s) administered	class=small	Sample size	Margin of error	Renee Ellmers	Pat McCrory	Steve Troxler	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	September 1–4, 2011	400	± 4.9%	10%	align=center	61%	—	—	29%
		—	align=center	51%	15%	—	34%
		10%	align=center	52%	19%	—	19%

General election polling

With Blue

Poll source	Date(s) administered	class=small	Sample size	Margin of error	width=110px	Dan Blue (D)	width=110px	Pat McCrory (R)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	January 27–29, 2012	554	± 4.2%	31%	align=center	49%	—	19%
Public Policy Polling	March 17–20, 2011	584	± 4.1%	28%	align=center	48%	—	16%

With Blackmon

Poll source	Date(s) administered	class=small	Sample size	Margin of error	width=110px	Bruce Blackmon (D)	width=110px	Pat McCrory (R)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	March 8–11, 2012	804	± 3.5%	33%	align=center	48%	—	18%

With Bowles

Poll source	Date(s) administered	class=small	Sample size	Margin of error	width=110px	Erskine Bowles (D)	width=110px	Pat McCrory (R)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	January 27–29, 2012	554	± 4.2%	42%	align=center	44%	—	14%
Public Policy Polling	September 30 – October 3, 2011	760	± 3.6%	42%	42%	—	16%

With Cooper

Poll source	Date(s) administered	class=small	Sample size	Margin of error	width=110px	Roy Cooper (D)	width=110px	Pat McCrory (R)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	September 30 – October 3, 2011	760	± 3.6%	39%	align=center	42%	—	19%
Public Policy Polling	March 17–20, 2011	584	± 4.1%	35%	align=center	43%	—	22%

With Foxx

Poll source	Date(s) administered	class=small	Sample size	Margin of error	width=110px	Anthony Foxx (D)	width=110px	Pat McCrory (R)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	January 27–29, 2012	554	± 4.2%	32%	align=center	50%	—	18%

With Etheridge

Poll source	Date(s) administered	class=small	Sample size	Margin of error	width=110px	Bob Etheridge (D)	width=110px	Pat McCrory (R)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	March 8–11, 2012	804	± 3.5%	36%	align=center	46%	—	18%
Public Policy Polling	January 27–29, 2012	554	± 4.2%	35%	align=center	50%	—	16%

With Faison

Poll source	Date(s) administered	class=small	Sample size	Margin of error	Bill Faison (D)	Pat McCrory (R)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	January 27–29, 2012	554	± 4.2%	31%	align=center	50%	—	19%
Public Policy Polling	January 5–8, 2012	780	± 3.5%	27%	align=center	47%	—	26%
Public Policy Polling	December 1–4, 2011	865	± 3.3%	26%	align=center	47%	—	26%
Public Policy Polling	September 30 – October 3, 2011	760	± 3.6%	30%	align=center	45%	—	25%

With Henley

Poll source	Date(s) administered	class=small	Sample size	Margin of error	width=110px	Gardenia Henley (D)	width=110px	Pat McCrory (R)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	March 8–11, 2012	804	± 3.5%	29%	align=center	49%	—	22%

With Hagan

Poll source	Date(s) administered	class=small	Sample size	Margin of error	width=110px	Kay Hagan (D)	width=110px	Pat McCrory (R)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	January 27–29, 2012	554	± 4.2%	41%	align=center	48%	—	11%

With Joines

Poll source	Date(s) administered	class=small	Sample size	Margin of error	width=110px	Allan Joines (D)	width=110px	Pat McCrory (R)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	January 27–29, 2012	554	± 4.2%	30%	align=center	50%	—	21%

With McIntyre

Poll source	Date(s) administered	class=small	Sample size	Margin of error	width=110px	Mike McIntyre (D)	width=110px	Pat McCrory (R)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	January 27–29, 2012	554	± 4.2%	30%	align=center	50%	—	20%

With Meeker

Poll source	Date(s) administered	class=small	Sample size	Margin of error	width=110px	Charles Meeker (D)	width=110px	Pat McCrory (R)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	January 27–29, 2012	554	± 4.2%	29%	align=center	49%	—	22%

With Miller

Poll source	Date(s) administered	class=small	Sample size	Margin of error	width=110px	Brad Miller (D)	width=110px	Pat McCrory (R)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	January 27–29, 2012	554	± 4.2%	35%	align=center	49%	—	16%

With Moore

Poll source	Date(s) administered	class=small	Sample size	Margin of error	width=110px	Richard Moore (D)	width=110px	Pat McCrory (R)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	January 27–29, 2012	554	± 4.2%	36%	align=center	47%	—	17%

With Perdue

Poll source	Date(s) administered	class=small	Sample size	Margin of error	width=110px	Bev Perdue (D)	width=110px	Renee Ellmers (R)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	September 1–4, 2011	520	± 4.3%	align=center	45%	35%	—	20%

Poll source	Date(s) administered	class=small	Sample size	Margin of error	width=110px	Bev Perdue (D)	width=110px	Tom Fetzer (R)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	November 19–21, 2010	517	± 4.3%	40%	align=center	42%	—	19%

Poll source	Date(s) administered	class=small	Sample size	Margin of error	Bev Perdue (D)	Pat McCrory (R)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	January 5–8, 2012	780	± 3.5%	41%	align=center	52%	—	7%
Public Policy Polling	December 1–4, 2011	865	± 3.3%	40%	align=center	50%	—	10%
Public Policy Polling	October 27–31, 2011	615	± 4.0%	39%	align=center	48%	—	13%
Public Policy Polling	September 30 – October 3, 2011	760	± 3.6%	42%	align=center	47%	—	10%
Public Policy Polling	September 1–4, 2011	520	± 4.3%	41%	align=center	45%	—	14%
Public Policy Polling	August 4–7, 2011	780	± 3.5%	39%	align=center	47%	—	14%
Civitas Institute	July 12–13, 2011	600	± 4.0%	35%	align=center	55%	—	8%
Public Policy Polling	July 7–10, 2011	651	± 3.8%	39%	align=center	47%	—	14%
Public Policy Polling	June 8–11, 2011	563	± 4.1%	39%	align=center	45%	—	16%
Public Policy Polling	May 12–15, 2011	835	± 3.4%	39%	align=center	46%	—	15%
Public Policy Polling	April 14–17, 2011	507	± 4.4%	38%	align=center	49%	—	13%
Survey USA	April 14–15, 2011	500	± 4.5%	39%	align=center	51%	5%	4%
Public Policy Polling	March 17–20, 2011	584	± 4.1%	36%	align=center	50%	—	14%
Public Policy Polling	February 16–21, 2011	650	± 3.8%	37%	align=center	49%	—	15%
Public Policy Polling	January 20–23, 2011	575	± 4.1%	40%	align=center	47%	—	14%
Civitas Institute	December 15–16, 2010	600	± 4.0%	36%	align=center	51%	—	12%
Public Policy Polling	November 19–21, 2010	517	± 4.3%	37%	align=center	49%	—	14%
Civitas Institute	June 15–18, 2010	600	± 4.0%	37%	align=center	46%	—	17%

Poll source	Date(s) administered	class=small	Sample size	Margin of error	width=110px	Bev Perdue (D)	width=110px	Steve Troxler (R)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	September 1–4, 2011	520	± 4.3%	align=center	42%	37%	—	22%

With Shuler

Poll source	Date(s) administered	class=small	Sample size	Margin of error	width=110px	Heath Shuler (D)	width=110px	Pat McCrory (R)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	January 27–29, 2012	554	± 4.2%	31%	align=center	48%	—	21%

Results

Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican

• Alleghany (largest town: Sparta)
• Beaufort (Largest city: Washington)
• Caswell (Largest city: Yanceyville)
• Chatham (largest municipality: Siler City)
• Chowan (largest municipality: Edenton)
• Columbus (largest municipality: Whiteville)
• Craven (largest town: New Bern)
• Dare (Largest city: Kill Devil Hills)
• Duplin (Largest city: Wallace)
• Forsyth (largest town: Winston-Salem)
• Franklin (Largest city: Wake Forest)
• Granville (largest city: Oxford)
• Greene (largest municipality: Snow Hill)
• Haywood (Largest city: Waynesville)
• Hyde (largest community: Ocracoke)
• Jackson (largest town: Cullowhee)
• Jones (Largest city: Maysville)
• Lee (largest municipality: Sanford)
• Lenoir (largest town: Kinston)
• Madison (Largest city: Mars Hill)
• Mecklenburg (Largest city: Charlotte)
• Montgomery (Largest city: Troy)
• Nash (largest municipality: Rocky Mount)
• New Hanover (largest municipality: Wilmington)
• Onslow (largest town: Jacksonville)
• Pamlico (largest town: Bayboro)
• Perquimans (Largest city: Hertford)
• Person (largest municipality: Roxboro)
• Richmond (largest city: Rockingham)
• Rockingham (Largest municipality: Eden)
• Sampson (largest municipality: Clinton)
• Swain (largest municipality: Cherokee)
• Tyrrell (largest municipality: Columbia)
• Wake (largest town: Raleigh)
• Watauga (Largest city: Boone)
• Wayne (largest town: Goldsboro)
• Yancey (largest municipality: Burnsville)

By congressional district

McCrory won 10 of the state's 13 congressional districts, including one held by a Democrat.^[43]

District	McCrory	Dalton	Representative
		29.35%	69.26%		G. K. Butterfield
		60.13%	37.63%		Renee Ellmers
		59.34%	38.22%		Walter B. Jones Jr.
		31.29%	65.74%		David Price
		63.66%	34.12%		Virginia Foxx
		61.21%	36.51%		Howard Coble
		61.37%	36.63%		Mike McIntyre
	62.7%	35.59%		Larry Kissell
			Richard Hudson
	67.81%	30.47%		Sue Myrick
			Robert Pittenger
		61.68%	36.3%		Patrick McHenry
	63.14%	34.18%		Heath Shuler
			Mark Meadows
		26.85%	71.37%		Mel Watt
	59.34%	38.49%		Brad Miller
			George Holding

See also

• 2012 North Carolina lieutenant gubernatorial election
• 2012 United States gubernatorial elections

External links

• North Carolina State Board of Elections

Official campaign websites

• Walter H. Dalton for Governor
• Barbara Howe for Governor
• Pat McCrory for Governor

Notes and References

1. http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/90year_old_physician_files_in_democratic_primary_for_governor News & Observer: 90-year-old physician files in Democratic primary
2. http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/dalton_makes_it_official_he_will_seek_governors_office Dalton makes it official: He will seek governor's office | newsobserver.com projects
3. Web site: State Board of Elections: candidate filing list. https://web.archive.org/web/20130311182107/http://www.ncsbe.gov/content.aspx?id=82. dead. March 11, 2013.
4. Web site: A Closer Look: Dunn making second run for Governor. wect.com.
5. News: Former Rep. Bob Etheridge to run for governor . . February 2, 2012 . September 1, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130718183528/http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=news%2Fpolitics&id=8529264 . July 18, 2013 . live .
6. Web site: Bill Faison announces run for governor. January 28, 2012. WRAL.com.
7. Web site: Winston-Salem Journal . February 21, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120220232256/http://www2.journalnow.com/news/2012/feb/17/3/local-elections-critic-files-for-governor-ar-1942992/ . February 20, 2012 . dead .
8. Web site: Dan Blue rules out governor's race. February 28, 2012. February 28, 2012. The News & Observer. Rob. Christensen.
9. Web site: Bowles won't run for governor. David. Catanese. POLITICO.
10. Web site: Perdue will not seek re-election. January 26, 2012. WRAL.com.
11. http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/democratic_state_treasurer_wont_seek_higher_office_in_2012 Democratic state treasurer won't seek higher office in 2012 | newsobserver.com projects
12. Web site: Cunningham, Dellinger considering NC lieutenant governor's bids as Dalton runs for governor | the Republic. www.therepublic.com . https://web.archive.org/web/20120130075301/http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/3152d6db07254b2e93a187d23d09b194/NC--Democrats-Lt-Governor/ . January 30, 2012.
13. http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/charlotte_mayor_anthony_foxx_wont_run_for_governor News & Observer: Charlotte mayor Anthony Foxx won't run for governor
14. Web site: VOTE 2012: Hagan not running for governor. January 30, 2012. January 30, 2012. WWAY NewsChannel 3.
15. Web site: Winston-Salem Mayor Allen Joines won't run for governor. January 30, 2012. January 30, 2012. Winston-Salem Journal. Laura. Graff.
16. Web site: McIntyre withdraws name from gubernatorial run. February 10, 2012. February 10, 2012. WRAL-TV. Matthew. Burns.
17. News: Brad Miller won't run for governor. February 16, 2012. News and Observer. February 16, 2012.
18. Web site: Moore won't run for governor. February 24, 2012. February 24, 2012. The News & Observer. Rob. Christensen.
19. News: Frank. John. Gov. Bev Perdue will not run for re-election. January 26, 2012. Raleigh News & Observer. January 26, 2012. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20121025123616/http://www.newsobserver.com/2012/01/26/1808371/gov-bev-perdue-will-not-run-for.html. October 25, 2012. mdy-all.
20. Web site: North Carolina: Heath Shuler Decides Against Gubernatorial Bid. January 31, 2012. January 31, 2012. Roll Call. Joshua. Miller.
21. http://www.newsobserver.com/2012/04/16/2004259/debate-athon-democratic-gubernatorial.html News & Observer: Democratic gubernatorial candidates' hopes ride on three nights of debate
22. http://www.newsobserver.com/2012/04/17/2006172/little-discord-at-north-carolina.html News & Observer: Little discord at NC Democratic gubernatorial debate
23. http://www.newsobserver.com/2012/04/17/2008344/democratic-gubernatorial-debate.html News & Observer: Democratic gubernatorial debate: Criticism grows sharper
24. http://www.newsobserver.com/2012/04/18/2010404/candidates-vow-to-veto-voter-id.html News & Observer: Democratic candidates vow to veto voter ID bills
25. Web site: Jim Harney of Cumberland County is running for N.C. Governor. February 23, 2012. February 24, 2012. The Fayetteville Observer. Andrew. Barksdale. https://web.archive.org/web/20120320173721/http://blogs.fayobserver.com/peoplesbusiness/February-2012/Jim-Harney-of-Cumberland-County-is-running-for-N-C. March 20, 2012. dead.
26. Web site: Baker's dozen seek to succeed Perdue as governor. February 29, 2012. WRAL.com.
27. http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/another_republican_candidate_for_governor News & Observer: Another Republican candidate for governor
28. News: Pat McCrory '100 percent' in for NC gov race. December 19, 2011. February 24, 2012. WRAL-TV. Associated Press.
29. News: Two more Republicans join GOP contest for governor. February 24, 2012. February 24, 2012. The Times-News. Associated Press.
30. Web site: WRAL/Associated Press: Other NC gov candidates still aim for top prize.
31. Web site: Who has the edge in '10? The view from my murky research. January 3, 2010. December 4, 2010. The News & Observer. Rob. Christensen.
32. http://www.rrdailyherald.com/articles/2011/03/22/news/doc4d88afc4de92a766199768.txt Daily Herald: N.C. labor commissioner: Focus is safety
33. Web site: 新萄京ag65609com-(天津)有限公司. www.m2mpolitics.com.
34. Web site: North Carolina County Commissioner Jumps Into Race : Roll Call Politics.
35. http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/agriculture_commissioner_announces_reelection_bid News & Observer: Agriculture commissioner announces re-election bid
36. Web site: WCNC.com . February 25, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131001202236/http://www.wcnc.com/news/politics/3-more-enter-race-to-succeed-NC-congresswoman-140299903.html . October 1, 2013 . dead .
37. Web site: 2012 Governor Race Ratings for November 1, 2012 . The Cook Political Report . November 30, 2018.
38. Web site: PROJECTION: OBAMA WILL LIKELY WIN SECOND TERM . Sabato's Crystal Ball . November 30, 2018 . December 1, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181201094552/http://crystalball.centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/articles/projection-obama-will-likely-win-second-term/ . dead .
39. Web site: 2012 Gubernatorial Ratings . Gubernatorial Ratings . The Rothenberg Political Report . November 30, 2018.
40. Web site: 2012 Elections Map - 2012 Governor Races . Real Clear Politics . November 30, 2018.
41. http://www.newsobserver.com/2012/10/03/2387121/ncs-major-party-gubernatorial.html Associated Press/News & Observer
42. http://www.newsobserver.com/2012/10/24/2436595/a-few-jabs-but-no-knockout-in.html News & Observer
43. Web site: North carolina 2012 gov-by-cd .