2012 North Carolina Council of State election explained

Election Name:2012 North Carolina Council of State election
Country:North Carolina
Type:legislative
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:2008 North Carolina Council of State election
Previous Year:2008
Next Election:2016 North Carolina Council of State election
Next Year:2016
Seats For Election:All 10 members of the North Carolina Council of State
Party1:Democratic Party (United States)
Last Election1:8
Seats1:6
Seat Change1: 2
Percentage1:53.87%
Swing1: 0.65%
Party2:Republican Party (United States)
Last Election2:2
Seats2:4
Seat Change2: 2
Percentage2:46.08%
Swing2: 0.32%

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 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

See main article: North Carolina gubernatorial election, 2012. Republican Pat McCrory was elected governor.

Lieutenant governor

See main article: North Carolina lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2012. Republican Dan Forest was elected lieutenant governor.

Attorney general

See main article: North Carolina Attorney General election, 2012. Roy Cooper, the Democratic incumbent attorney general, ran for re-election unopposed.[4]

Results

Secretary of State

Democratic primary

Republican primary

Polling

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		class=small Sample
size		Margin of
error		Michael
Beitler		A.J.
Daoud		Kenn
Gardner		Eddy
Goodwin		Undecided
Public Policy Polling[11] May 5–6, 2012496± 4.4%8%11% align=center23%14% align=center45%
Public Policy Polling[12] April 27–29, 2012486± 4.4%7%9% align=center20%11% align=center52%
Public Policy Polling[13] April 20–22, 2012521± 4.3%6%6% align=center17%10% align=center61%

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.[14]

General election

Polling

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		class=small Sample
size		Margin of
error		width=110pxElaine
Marshall (D)		width=110pxEd
Goodwin (R)		Undecided
Public Policy Polling[15] October 23–25, 2012880 LV± 3.3% align=center43%38%19%
Public Policy Polling[16] September 27–30, 2012981± 3.1% align=center41%34%24%
Public Policy Polling[17] August 2–5, 2012813± 3.4% align=center43%37%19%

Results

State Auditor

Democratic primary

Republican primary

Polling

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		class=small Sample
size		Margin of
error		Joseph
DeBragga		Greg
Dority		Debra
Goldman		Fern
Shubert		Rudy
Wright		Undecided
Public Policy PollingMay 5–6, 2012496± 4.4%5%16% align=center17%11%8% align=center44%
Public Policy PollingApril 27–29, 2012486± 4.4%3% align=center18%16%9%3% align=center51%
Public Policy PollingApril 20–22, 2012521± 4.3%4%11% align=center12%7%4% align=center61%

Primary results

As the runner-up, Dority chose not to request a runoff, making Goldman the nominee.[25]

General election

Polling

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		class=small Sample
size		Margin of
error		width=110pxBeth
Wood (D)		width=110pxDebra
Goldman (R)		Undecided
Public Policy Polling[26] October 29–31, 2012730± 3.6% align=center50%38%12%
Public Policy PollingOctober 23–25, 2012880 LV± 3.3% align=center45%38%18%
Public Policy Polling[27] August 31–September 1, 20121,012± 3.1% align=center40%38%22%
Public Policy Polling[28] July 5–8, 2012775± 3.5% align=center39%36%25%
Public Policy Polling[29] June 7–10, 2012810± 3.4%36%36%29%

Results

State Treasurer

Democratic primary

Polling

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		class=small Sample
size		Margin of
error		Janet
Cowell		Ron
Elmer		Undecided
Public Policy Polling[32] April 27–29, 2012500± 4.4% align=center50%11%39%
Public Policy Polling[33] April 20–22, 2012500± 4.4% align=center38%11% align=center51%
Public Policy Polling[34] March 23–25, 2012505± 4.36% align=center34%12% align=center55%
Public Policy Polling[35] February 29–March 1, 2012499± 4.4% align=center32%14% align=center54%

Primary results

Republican primary

Polling

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		class=small Sample
size		Margin of
error		Frank
Roche		Steve
Royal		Undecided
Public Policy PollingMay 5–6, 2012496± 4.4%24% align=center30% align=center47%
Public Policy PollingApril 27–29, 2012486± 4.4%17% align=center27% align=center57%

Primary results

General election

Polling

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		class=small Sample
size		Margin of
error		width=110pxJanet
Cowell (D)		width=110pxSteve
Royal (R)		Undecided
Public Policy PollingOctober 29–31, 2012730± 3.6% align=center46%41%13%
Public Policy PollingAugust 31–September 1, 20121,012± 3.1% align=center42%38%20%
Public Policy PollingJuly 5–8, 2012775± 3.5% align=center38%35%27%
Public Policy Polling[38] October 12–14, 20121,084± 3% align=center34%33%33%

Results

Superintendent of Public Instruction

Democratic primary

Withdrawn Candidates

Republican primary

Polling

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		class=small Sample
size		Margin of
error		Richard
Alexander		Mark
Crawford		Ray
Martin		David
Scholl		John
Tedesco		Undecided
Public Policy PollingMay 5–6, 2012496± 4.4%14%12%6%6% align=center16% align=center45%
Public Policy PollingApril 27–29, 2012486± 4.4%13%8%5%6% align=center16% align=center52%
Public Policy PollingApril 20–22, 2012521± 4.3%13%6%5%4% align=center16% align=center57%

Primary results

As the runner-up, Alexander requested a runoff.[47]

General election

Polling

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		class=small Sample
size		Margin of
error		width=110pxJune
Atkinson (D)		width=110pxJohn
Tedesco (R)		Undecided
Public Policy PollingOctober 23–25, 2012880 LV± 3.3% align=center42%40%18%
Public Policy PollingSeptember 27–30, 2012981± 3.1% align=center44%34%22%
Public Policy PollingAugust 2–5, 2012813± 3.4% align=center44%37%19%

Results

Commissioner of Agriculture

Republican primary

Polling

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		class=small Sample
size		Margin of
error		Bill
McManus		Steve
Troxler		Undecided
Public Policy PollingApril 27–29, 2012486± 4.4%17% align=center48%35%
Public Policy PollingApril 20–22, 2012521± 4.3%17% align=center41% align=center42%

Primary results

Democratic primary

Polling

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		class=small Sample
size		Margin of
error		Scott
Bryant		Walter
Smith		Undecided
Public Policy PollingMay 5–6, 2012500± 3.1% align=center21%19% align=center60%
Public Policy PollingApril 27–29, 2012505± 4.36% align=center20%17% align=center63%
Public Policy PollingMarch 23–25, 2012505± 4.36% align=center17%12% align=center71%
Public Policy PollingFebruary 29–March 1, 2012499± 4.4% align=center14%13% align=center73%

Primary results

General election

Polling

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		class=small Sample
size		Margin of
error		width=110pxSteve
Troxler (R)		width=110pxWalter
Smith (D)		Undecided
Public Policy PollingOctober 29–31, 2012730± 3.6% align=center48%38%14%
Public Policy PollingAugust 31–September 1, 20121,012± 3.1% align=center45%35%20%
Public Policy PollingJuly 5–8, 2012775± 3.5% align=center46%34%20%
Public Policy PollingJune 7–10, 2012810± 3.4% align=center45%31%25%

Results

Commissioner of Labor

Republican primary

Democratic primary

Polling

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		class=small Sample
size		Margin of
error		John
Brooks		Marlowe
Foster		Ty
Richardson		Undecided
Public Policy PollingMay 5–6, 2012500± 3.1%18%14% align=center30% align=center38%
Public Policy PollingApril 27–29, 2012500± 4.4%20%12% align=center26% align=center42%
Public Policy PollingApril 20–22, 2012500± 4.4% align=center18%10% align=center18% align=center54%
Public Policy PollingMarch 23–25, 2012505± 4.36%18%8% align=center22% align=center51%
Public Policy PollingFebruary 29–March 1, 2012499± 4.4%13%9% align=center26% align=center52%

Primary results

As the runner-up, Foster requested a runoff.[54]

General election

Polling

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		class=small Sample
size		Margin of
error		width=110pxCherie
Berry (R)		width=110pxJohn
Brooks (D)		Undecided
Public Policy PollingOctober 23–25, 2012880 LV± 3.3% align=center43%37%19%
Public Policy PollingSeptember 27–30, 2012981± 3.1% align=center41%37%22%
Public Policy PollingAugust 2–5, 2012813± 3.4% align=center44%34%22%

Results

Commissioner of Insurance

Democratic primary

Republican primary

Polling

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		class=small Sample
size		Margin of
error		Mike
Causey		James
McCall		Richard
Morgan		Undecided
Public Policy PollingMay 5–6, 2012496± 4.4% align=center20%14%19% align=center47%
Public Policy PollingApril 27–29, 2012486± 4.4%12%12% align=center25% align=center51%
Public Policy PollingApril 20–22, 2012521± 4.3%13%10% align=center17% align=center60%

Primary results

As the runner-up, Causey requested a runoff.[59] 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)
administered		class=small Sample
size		Margin of
error		width=110pxWayne
Goodwin (D)		width=110pxMike
Causey (R)		Undecided
Public Policy PollingOctober 23–25, 2012880 LV± 3.3% align=center45%36%19%
Public Policy PollingSeptember 27–30, 2012981± 3.1% align=center41%36%23%
Public Policy PollingAugust 2–5, 2012813± 3.4% align=center40%36%24%

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Elections. February 13, 2012. North Carolina State Board of Elections. https://web.archive.org/web/20120221022917/http://www.ncsbe.gov/content.aspx?id=61. February 21, 2012. dead. mdy-all.
  2. Web site: News & Observer: It's official . May 10, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120823183234/http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/its_official_primary_runoff_date_is_july_17 . August 23, 2012 . dead . mdy-all .
  3. Web site: Article III. North Carolina Constitution. State of North Carolina. November 10, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20170327090239/http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/Legislation/constitution/article3.html. March 27, 2017. dead.
  4. Web site: Daily Reflector . March 1, 2012 . August 19, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160819125835/http://www.reflector.com/ap/staten/cooper-has-clear-ride-nc-attorney-general-win-970115 . dead .
  5. News: Staff Reports. Elaine Marshall announces she'll run again. November 10, 2011. Raleigh News & Observer. October 20, 2011.
  6. News: Beitler enters state race. November 4, 2011. Northwest Observer. August 26, 2011.
  7. http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/elaine_marshall_touts_better_fundraising_than_the_obama_campaign
  8. Web site: NC 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.
  9. Web site: Chowan commissioner to run for Secretary of State. January 9, 2012. The Outer Banks Voice.
  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. Web site: Candidates Meet Deadline For Primary Run-Offs | digtriad.com. July 28, 2012. archive.ph.
  15. http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/2011/PPP_Release_NC_1025.pdf Public Policy Polling
  16. http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/2011/PPP_Release_NC_1001.pdf Public Policy Polling
  17. http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/2011/PPP_Release_NC_080812.pdf Public Policy Polling
  18. http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/auditor_beth_wood_announces_reelection_bid News & Observer: Auditor Beth Wood announces reelection bid
  19. Web site: WWAY-TV.
  20. Web site: Primary Voter Guide. May 2, 2012. North Carolina State Board of Elections. https://web.archive.org/web/20120502053740/http://www.ncsbe.gov/content.aspx?id=29. May 2, 2012. dead.
  21. http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/greg_dority_switches_races_sets_up_gop_primary_for_state_auditor News & Observer: Greg Dority switches races
  22. http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/debra_goldman_announces_for_state_auditor News & Observer: Debra Goldman announces for state auditor
  23. http://ncfef.org/Images/2012_Election_Tracker.pdf 2012 Election Tracker
  24. Web site: Election lineups set for primary contests | Hickory Daily Record. September 19, 2012. archive.ph.
  25. http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/gop_auditor_candidate_wont_seek_runoff News & Observer: GOP auditor candidate won't seek runoff
  26. http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/2011/PPP_Release_NC_1031.pdf Public Policy Polling
  27. http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/2011/PPP_Release_NC_9032.pdf Public Policy Polling
  28. http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/2011/PPP_Release_NC_071112.pdf Public Policy Polling
  29. http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/2011/PPP_Release_NC_061312.pdf Public Policy Polling
  30. 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
  31. http://www.newsobserver.com/2012/05/03/2042786/two-incumbent-state-elected-officials.html News & Observer: Two state incumbents face primary challengers
  32. http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/2011/PPP_Release_NC_430.pdf Public Policy Polling
  33. http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/2011/PPP_Release_NC_423.pdf Public Policy Polling
  34. http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/2011/PPP_Release_NC_032812.pdf Public Policy Polling
  35. http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/2011/PPP_Release_NC_302Dem.pdf Public Policy Polling
  36. http://projects.newsobserver.com/node/24001 News & Observer: Conservative talk radio host joins state treasurer's race
  37. http://www.journalpatriot.com/news/article_34c18468-5f1c-11e1-9b75-0019bb30f31a.html Wilkes Journal Patriot
  38. http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/2011/PPP_Release_NC_1016.pdf Public Policy Polling
  39. http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/atkinson_will_seek_reelection_for_state_superintendent News & Observer: Atkinson will seek reelection for state superintendent
  40. News: Rep. Rick Glazier may run for N.C. Superintendent of Public Instruction. November 10, 2011. Fayetteville Observer. November 7, 2011. Barksdale, Andrew. Woolverton, Paul. https://web.archive.org/web/20111111045851/http://blogs.fayobserver.com/peoplesbusiness/November-2011/Rep--Rick-Glazier-may-run-for-N-C--Superintendent-. November 11, 2011. dead.
  41. 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
  42. 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
  43. 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
  44. https://twitter.com/Politics1com/status/173223299894091776 Politics1
  45. http://www.newsobserver.com/2012/01/19/1788325/a-fellow-democrat-wants-atkinsons.html News & Observer: A fellow Democrat wants Atkinson's job
  46. http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/republican_school_board_member_enters_superintendent_race News & Observer: Republican school board member enters superintendent race
  47. http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2012/05/17/3247347/list-of-contest-nc-races.html Charlotte Observer
  48. http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/agriculture_commissioner_announces_reelection_bid News & Observer: Agriculture commissioner announces re-election bid
  49. http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/chatham_farmer_to_run_for_agriculture_commissioner News & Observer: Chatham farmer to run for agriculture commissioner
  50. http://www2.journalnow.com/news/2012/feb/23/3/democrat-files-in-nc-senate-district-30-ar-1964562/ Winston-Salem Journal
  51. http://www.wral.com/news/state/nccapitol/story/10720966/ WRAL.com
  52. News: Bonner. I.. Democrat announces for Labor Commissioner. November 10, 2011. Raleigh News & Observer. October 18, 2011.
  53. Web site: Winston-Salem Journal . February 27, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120301230009/http://www2.journalnow.com/news/2012/feb/24/2/judicial-races-heat-up-in-forsyth-ar-1969956/ . March 1, 2012 . dead .
  54. http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/marlowe_foster_seeks_runoff_in_democratic_labor_commissioner_race News & Observer: Marlowe Foster seeks runoff
  55. Web site: N.C. Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin Announces Run for Re-election, Raises Record Campaign Cash. NCDP.org. NC Democratic Party. November 10, 2011. October 11, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20120402223411/http://www.ncdp.org/news/entry/n.c.-insurance-commissioner-wayne-goodwin-announces-run-for-re-election-rai/. April 2, 2012. dead.
  56. http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/repubilcan_candidate_for_insurance_commissioner_announces_today News & Observer: Republican candidate for insurance commissioner announces today
  57. http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/another_repubilcan_candidate_for_insurance_commissioner News & Observer: Another Republican candidate for insurance commissioner
  58. http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/richard_morgan_files_for_insurance_commissioner News & Observer: Richard Morgan files for insurance commissioner
  59. http://www.blueridgenow.com/article/20120517/APN/1205170837 Blue Ridge Now

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