2012 North Carolina gubernatorial election
← 2008 November 6, 2012(2012-11-06) 2016 →
Turnout 67.30%
Nominee Pat McCrory Walter H. Dalton
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 2,440,707 1,931,580
Percentage 54.62% 43.23%
Governor before election Bev Perdue Democratic Elected Governor Pat McCrory Republican
Governor before election Bev Perdue Democratic Elected Governor Pat McCrory Republican 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.
Incumbent Democratic Governor Bev Perdue was eligible to run for re-election, 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 McCrory was inaugurated as the 74th governor of North Carolina on January 5, 2013, he became the state's first Republican governor since 1993 and the Republicans held complete control of state government for the first time since 1871. As of 2026, this is the last time a Republican was elected Governor of North Carolina, and the only time since 1988 . It was also the last time the state concurrently voted for a gubernatorial and presidential candidate of the same party, and the last time a Republican candidate won Mecklenburg County in a statewide election.
Democratic primary Candidates Bruce Blackmon, physician Walter H. Dalton , Lieutenant GovernorGary M. Dunn, salesman and UNC-Charlotte student Bob Etheridge , former U.S. RepresentativeBill Faison , state representativeGardenia Henley, retired U.S. Agency for International Development auditor Declined Dan Blue , state senatorErskine Bowles , chairman of the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform , former UNC System president, former White House Chief of Staff Roy Cooper , Attorney General of North CarolinaJanet Cowell , state treasurerCal Cunningham , former state senatorAnthony Foxx , mayor of Charlotte Kay Hagan , U.S. SenatorJim Hunt , former governorAllen Joines , Mayor of Winston-Salem Mike McIntyre , U.S. RepresentativeBrad Miller , U.S. RepresentativeRichard H. Moore , former North Carolina State Treasurer and candidate for governor in 2008Bev Perdue , incumbent governorHeath Shuler , U.S. RepresentativePolling Poll source Date(s) administered 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% 34% 4% 29% 4% 4% 24% Survey USA April 26–30, 2012 560 ± 4.2% 2% 32% 5% 23% 5% 3% 30% Public Policy Polling April 27–29, 2012 500 ± 4.4% 3% 36% 2% 26% 5% 3% 25% Civitas /Survey USA April 20–23, 2012 448 ± 4.7% 3% 32% 3% 27% 4% 2% 27% Public Policy Polling April 20–22, 2012 500 ± 4.4% 4% 26% 4% 25% 5% 2% 35% Public Policy Polling March 23–25, 2012 505 ± 4.4% 5% 15% 4% 26% 3% 2% 45% Public Policy Polling February 29 – March 1, 2012 499 ± 4.4% 5% 19% 2% 26% 2% 4% 41%
Poll source Date(s) administered 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% 21% 2% 6% 8% 7% 33% 11% 20% 24% 4% — — — 41% — 22% 25% 6% 7% — — 40% — 20% 24% 4% — 11% — 41% — 21% 24% 5% — — 8% 41% — 24% 30% 6% — — — 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. The first debate, conducted by WRAL-TV and broadcast statewide, featured few differences between the candidates, but Faison was seen as the aggressor. 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. 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.
Results Primary results by county: Dalton Dalton—81–90%Dalton—71–80%Dalton—61–70%Dalton—51–60%Dalton—41–50%Dalton—31–40% Etheridge Etheridge—61–70%Etheridge—51–60%Etheridge—41–50%Etheridge—31–40% Faison Faison—41–50% Democratic primary results Party Candidate Votes % Democratic Walter H. Dalton 425,618 45.8 Democratic Bob Etheridge 353,209 38.0 Democratic Bill Faison 51,759 5.6 Democratic Gardenia Henley 48,402 5.2 Democratic Gary M. Dunn 27,163 2.9 Democratic Bruce Blackmon 22,158 2.4 Total votes 928,309 100.0
Republican primary Candidates Jim Harney, businessman Scott Jones, businessman Jim Mahan, small businessman and former teacher Pat McCrory , former mayor of Charlotte and nominee for governor in 2008Charles Kenneth Moss, businessman and preacher Paul Wright, attorney and former District Court and Superior Court judge Declined Phil Berger , State Senate President Pro TemCherie Berry , state labor commissioner (running for re-election)Peter Brunstetter , state senator Paul Coble , former mayor of Raleigh and current chairman of the Wake County Board of Commissioners (running for Congress)Steve Troxler , state Agriculture Commissioner (running for re-election)Polling Poll source Date(s) administered 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% 70% 1% 2% 20% Survey USA April 26–30, 2012 451 ± 4.5% 3% 3% 2% 65% 3% 2% 21% Public Policy Polling April 27–29, 2012 486 ± 4.4% 4% 2% 2% 66% 0% 2% 24% Public Policy Polling April 20–22, 2012 521 ± 4.3% 3% 1% 2% 67% 1% 2% 23% Public Policy Polling March 22–25, 2012 561 ± 4.1% 2% 1% 3% 64% 2% 0% 28%
Poll source Date(s) administered Sample size Margin of error Pat McCrory Someone more conservative Other Undecided Public Policy Polling September 1–4, 2011 400 ± 4.9% 40% 46% — 15%
Poll source Date(s) administered 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% 37% 3% 6% 4% 22%
Results Republican primary results Party Candidate Votes % Republican Pat McCrory 744,226 83.4 Republican Paul Wright 46,986 5.3 Republican Scott Jones 30,884 3.5 Republican Jim Mahan 29,794 3.3 Republican Jim Harney 26,242 2.9 Republican Charles Kenneth Moss 13,696 1.5 Total votes 891,828 100.0
General election Candidates Walter H. Dalton (D), lieutenant governorBarbara Howe (L), nominee for governor in 2000 and 2004 Pat McCrory (R), former mayor of Charlotte and nominee for governor in 2008Predictions Source Ranking As of The Cook Political Report Lean R (flip) November 1, 2012 Sabato's Crystal Ball Likely R (flip) November 5, 2012 Rothenberg Political Report Likely R (flip) November 2, 2012 Real Clear Politics Likely R (flip) November 5, 2012
Debates , October 3, 2012 - C-SPAN , October 16, 2012 - C-SPAN , 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. 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."
Polling Poll source Date(s) administered Sample size Margin of error Walter H. Dalton (D) Pat McCrory (R) Barbara Howe (L) Other Undecided Public Policy Polling November 3–4, 2012 926 ± 3.2% 43% 50% 4% — 3% Public Policy Polling October 29–31, 2012 730 ± 3.6% 39% 50% 4% — 7% WRAL News /SurveyUSA October 26–29, 2012 682 ± 3.8% 36% 53% — — 11% Elon University October 21–26, 2012 1,238 ± 2.8% 38% 52% — 2% 8% Rasmussen Reports October 25, 2012 500 ± 4.5% 35% 54% — 1% 10% Public Policy Polling October 23–25, 2012 880 ± 3.3% 37% 50% 5% — 8% Rasmussen Reports October 17, 2012 500 ± 4.5% 42% 53% — — 4% Public Policy Polling October 12–14, 2012 1,084 ± 3% 37% 47% 5% — 11% Rasmussen Reports October 9, 2012 500 ± 4.5% 38% 52% — — 10% Gravis Marketing October 6–8, 2012 1,325 ± 2.9% 33% 50% — — 17% Rasmussen Reports October 2, 2012 500 ± 4.5% 38% 54% — 1% 7% Survey USA September 29 – October 1, 2012 573 ± 4.2% 39% 51% 3% — 7% Public Policy Polling September 27–30, 2012 981 ± 3.1% 37% 47% 5% — 10% WSJ /NBC News /Marist September 23–25, 2012 1,035 ± 3.4% 39% 52% — — 8% Civitas September 18–19, 2012 600 ± 4% 38% 49% 3% — 10% Rasmussen Reports September 13, 2012 500 ± 3.4% 38% 51% 1% — 10% Survey USA /Civitas September 4–6, 2012 500 ± 3.4% 39% 55% 4% — 29% Public Policy Polling August 31 – September 2, 2012 1,012 ± 3.4% 39% 45% 5% — 10% Elon Univ./Charlotte Observer August 25–30, 2012 1,089 ± 3.4% 37% 52% — — 11% Public Policy Polling August 2–5, 2012 813 ± 3.4% 38% 45% 7% — 11% Rasmussen Reports July 27, 2012 500 ± 4.5% 41% 46% — 3% 10% Civitas July 16–18, 2012 600 ± 4% 37% 47% 6% — 4% Public Policy Polling July 5–8, 2012 775 ± 3.5% 36% 43% 9% — 12% Survey USA June 29 – July 1, 2012 558 ± 4.2% 44% 46% 7% — 3% Rasmussen Reports June 25, 2012 500 ± 4.5% 35% 49% — 4% 12% NBC News /Marist June 24–25, 2012 1,019 ± 3.1% 41% 43% — — 17% Public Policy Polling June 7–10, 2012 810 ± 3.4% 40% 47% — — 13% Survey USA May 18–21, 2012 524 ± 4.4% 39% 44% 7% — 10% Civitas May 19–20, 2012 600 ± 4% 38% 48% — — 12% Rasmussen Reports May 14, 2012 500 ± 4.5% 41% 50% — 1% 8% Public Policy Polling May 10–13, 2012 666 ± 3.8% 40% 46% — — 13% Rasmussen Reports April 10, 2012 500 ± 4.5% 36% 45% — 5% 14% Public Policy Polling March 8–11, 2012 804 ± 3.5% 35% 46% — — 19% Civitas February 27–28, 2012 600 ± 4% 29% 49% — — 22% Public Policy Polling January 27–29, 2012 554 ± 4.2% 35% 50% — — 15% Public Policy Polling September 30 – October 3, 2011 760 ± 3.6% 32% 46% — — 23% Public Policy Polling March 17–20, 2011 584 ± 4.1% 27% 47% — — 26%
Democratic primary polling with Perdue
Poll source Date(s) administered Sample size Margin of error Bill Faison Bev Perdue Other Undecided Public Policy Polling December 1–4, 2011 392 ± 5.0% 23% 55% — 23% Public Policy Polling September 30 – October 3, 2011 353 ± 3.6% 18% 62% — 20%
Republican primary with Ellmers, Troxler
Poll source Date(s) administered Sample size Margin of error Renee Ellmers Pat McCrory Steve Troxler Other Undecided Public Policy Polling September 1–4, 2011 400 ± 4.9% 10% 61% — — 29% — 51% 15% — 34% 10% 52% 19% — 19%
General election polling With Blue
Poll source Date(s) administered Sample size Margin of error Dan Blue (D) Pat McCrory (R) Other Undecided Public Policy Polling January 27–29, 2012 554 ± 4.2% 31% 49% — 19% Public Policy Polling March 17–20, 2011 584 ± 4.1% 28% 48% — 16%
With Blackmon
Poll source Date(s) administered Sample size Margin of error Bruce Blackmon (D) Pat McCrory (R) Other Undecided Public Policy Polling March 8–11, 2012 804 ± 3.5% 33% 48% — 18%
With Bowles
Poll source Date(s) administered Sample size Margin of error Erskine Bowles (D) Pat McCrory (R) Other Undecided Public Policy Polling January 27–29, 2012 554 ± 4.2% 42% 44% — 14% Public Policy Polling September 30 – October 3, 2011 760 ± 3.6% 42% 42% — 16%
With Cooper
Poll source Date(s) administered Sample size Margin of error Roy Cooper (D) Pat McCrory (R) Other Undecided Public Policy Polling September 30 – October 3, 2011 760 ± 3.6% 39% 42% — 19% Public Policy Polling March 17–20, 2011 584 ± 4.1% 35% 43% — 22%
With Foxx
Poll source Date(s) administered Sample size Margin of error Anthony Foxx (D) Pat McCrory (R) Other Undecided Public Policy Polling January 27–29, 2012 554 ± 4.2% 32% 50% — 18%
With Etheridge
Poll source Date(s) administered Sample size Margin of error Bob Etheridge (D) Pat McCrory (R) Other Undecided Public Policy Polling March 8–11, 2012 804 ± 3.5% 36% 46% — 18% Public Policy Polling January 27–29, 2012 554 ± 4.2% 35% 50% — 16%
With Faison
Poll source Date(s) administered Sample size Margin of error Bill Faison (D) Pat McCrory (R) Other Undecided Public Policy Polling January 27–29, 2012 554 ± 4.2% 31% 50% — 19% Public Policy Polling January 5–8, 2012 780 ± 3.5% 27% 47% — 26% Public Policy Polling December 1–4, 2011 865 ± 3.3% 26% 47% — 26% Public Policy Polling September 30 – October 3, 2011 760 ± 3.6% 30% 45% — 25%
With Henley
Poll source Date(s) administered Sample size Margin of error Gardenia Henley (D) Pat McCrory (R) Other Undecided Public Policy Polling March 8–11, 2012 804 ± 3.5% 29% 49% — 22%
With Hagan
Poll source Date(s) administered Sample size Margin of error Kay Hagan (D) Pat McCrory (R) Other Undecided Public Policy Polling January 27–29, 2012 554 ± 4.2% 41% 48% — 11%
With Joines
Poll source Date(s) administered Sample size Margin of error Allan Joines (D) Pat McCrory (R) Other Undecided Public Policy Polling January 27–29, 2012 554 ± 4.2% 30% 50% — 21%
With McIntyre
Poll source Date(s) administered Sample size Margin of error Mike McIntyre (D) Pat McCrory (R) Other Undecided Public Policy Polling January 27–29, 2012 554 ± 4.2% 30% 50% — 20%
With Meeker
Poll source Date(s) administered Sample size Margin of error Charles Meeker (D) Pat McCrory (R) Other Undecided Public Policy Polling January 27–29, 2012 554 ± 4.2% 29% 49% — 22%
With Miller
Poll source Date(s) administered Sample size Margin of error Brad Miller (D) Pat McCrory (R) Other Undecided Public Policy Polling January 27–29, 2012 554 ± 4.2% 35% 49% — 16%
With Moore
Poll source Date(s) administered Sample size Margin of error Richard Moore (D) Pat McCrory (R) Other Undecided Public Policy Polling January 27–29, 2012 554 ± 4.2% 36% 47% — 17%
With Perdue
Poll source Date(s) administered Sample size Margin of error Bev Perdue (D) Renee Ellmers (R) Other Undecided Public Policy Polling September 1–4, 2011 520 ± 4.3% 45% 35% — 20%
Poll source Date(s) administered Sample size Margin of error Bev Perdue (D) Tom Fetzer (R) Other Undecided Public Policy Polling November 19–21, 2010 517 ± 4.3% 40% 42% — 19%
Poll source Date(s) administered Sample size Margin of error Bev Perdue (D) Pat McCrory (R) Other Undecided Public Policy Polling January 5–8, 2012 780 ± 3.5% 41% 52% — 7% Public Policy Polling December 1–4, 2011 865 ± 3.3% 40% 50% — 10% Public Policy Polling October 27–31, 2011 615 ± 4.0% 39% 48% — 13% Public Policy Polling September 30 – October 3, 2011 760 ± 3.6% 42% 47% — 10% Public Policy Polling September 1–4, 2011 520 ± 4.3% 41% 45% — 14% Public Policy Polling August 4–7, 2011 780 ± 3.5% 39% 47% — 14% Civitas Institute July 12–13, 2011 600 ± 4.0% 35% 55% — 8% Public Policy Polling July 7–10, 2011 651 ± 3.8% 39% 47% — 14% Public Policy Polling June 8–11, 2011 563 ± 4.1% 39% 45% — 16% Public Policy Polling May 12–15, 2011 835 ± 3.4% 39% 46% — 15% Public Policy Polling April 14–17, 2011 507 ± 4.4% 38% 49% — 13% Survey USA April 14–15, 2011 500 ± 4.5% 39% 51% 5% 4% Public Policy Polling March 17–20, 2011 584 ± 4.1% 36% 50% — 14% Public Policy Polling February 16–21, 2011 650 ± 3.8% 37% 49% — 15% Public Policy Polling January 20–23, 2011 575 ± 4.1% 40% 47% — 14% Civitas Institute December 15–16, 2010 600 ± 4.0% 36% 51% — 12% Public Policy Polling November 19–21, 2010 517 ± 4.3% 37% 49% — 14% Civitas Institute June 15–18, 2010 600 ± 4.0% 37% 46% — 17%
Poll source Date(s) administered Sample size Margin of error Bev Perdue (D) Steve Troxler (R) Other Undecided Public Policy Polling September 1–4, 2011 520 ± 4.3% 42% 37% — 22%
With Shuler
Poll source Date(s) administered Sample size Margin of error Heath Shuler (D) Pat McCrory (R) Other Undecided Public Policy Polling January 27–29, 2012 554 ± 4.2% 31% 48% — 21%
Results Pat McCrory celebrating his election victory 2012 North Carolina gubernatorial election Party Candidate Votes % ±% Republican Pat McCrory 2,440,707 54.62% +7.74% Democratic Walter H. Dalton 1,931,580 43.23% −7.04% Libertarian Barbara Howe 94,652 2.12% −0.73% Write-in 1,356 0.03% N/A Total votes 4,468,295 100.00% N/A Republican gain from Democratic
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 ten of the state's 13 congressional districts, including one held by a Democrat.
See also External links Official campaign websites
