North_Carolina_Council_of_State_election,_2012
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]
Quick Facts All 10 members of the North Carolina Council of State, Majority party ...
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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 Lieutenant Governor's seat was open following incumbent Walter Dalton's decision to run for governor. The partisan makeup of the Council of State changed from 7 Democrats (8 including the governor) and 2 Republicans before the election to 6 Democrats and 3 Republicans (4 including the governor) afterward.
Main article: North Carolina gubernatorial election, 2012
Republican Pat McCrory was elected governor.
Main article: North Carolina lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2012
Republican Dan Forest was elected lieutenant governor.
Main article: North Carolina Attorney General election, 2012
Roy Cooper, the Democratic incumbent attorney general, ran for re-election unopposed.[4]
Results
More information Party, Candidate ...
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Roy Cooper | 2,828,941 | 100 | |
| Total votes | 2,828,941 | 100 | ||
Close
Democratic primary
- Elaine Marshall, the Democratic incumbent Secretary of State, ran for re-election.[6]
Republican primary
- Michael Beitler, business professor; Libertarian nominee for US Senator in 2010 (changed his registration to Republican to run for secretary of state)[7]
- A.J. Daoud, business owner[8]
- Kenn Gardner, former Wake County commissioner[9]
- Ed Goodwin, Chowan County commissioner,[10] retired Naval Criminal Investigative Service agent[11]
Polling
More information Poll source, Date(s) administered ...
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Michael Beitler |
A.J. Daoud |
Kenn Gardner |
Eddy Goodwin |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling | May 5–6, 2012 | 496 | ± 4.4% | 8% | 11% | 23% | 14% | 45% |
| Public Policy Polling | April 27–29, 2012 | 486 | ± 4.4% | 7% | 9% | 20% | 11% | 52% |
| Public Policy Polling | April 20–22, 2012 | 521 | ± 4.3% | 6% | 6% | 17% | 10% | 61% |
Close
Primary results
More information Party, Candidate ...
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Ed Goodwin | 246,641 | 35.94 | |
| Republican | Kenn Gardner | 204,630 | 29.82 | |
| Republican | Michael (Mike) Beitler | 166,061 | 24.2 | |
| Republican | A. J. Daoud | 68,834 | 10.03 | |
| Total votes | 686,166 | 100 | ||
Close
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.[13]
More information Party, Candidate ...
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Ed Goodwin | 74,252 | 54.48 | |
| Republican | Kenn Gardner | 62,044 | 45.52 | |
| Total votes | 136,296 | 100 | ||
Close
General election
Polling
More information Poll source, Date(s) administered ...
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Elaine Marshall (D) |
Ed Goodwin (R) |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling | October 23–25, 2012 | 880 LV | ± 3.3% | 43% | 38% | 19% |
| Public Policy Polling | September 27–30, 2012 | 981 | ± 3.1% | 41% | 34% | 24% |
| Public Policy Polling | August 2–5, 2012 | 813 | ± 3.4% | 43% | 37% | 19% |
Close
Results
More information Party, Candidate ...
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Elaine Marshall | 2,331,173 | 53.79 | |
| Republican | Ed Goodwin | 2,003,026 | 46.21 | |
| Total votes | 4,334,199 | 100 | ||
Close
Democratic primary
- Beth A. Wood, the Democratic incumbent State Auditor, ran for re-election.[15]
Republican primary
- Joseph Hank DeBragga,[16] auditor for North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources[17]
- Greg Dority, three-time congressional candidate, Beaufort County Republican Party chairman[18]
- Debra Goldman, Wake County School Board member[19]
- Fern Shubert, former state senator, former state representative, certified public accountant[17][20]
- Rudy Wright, Mayor of Hickory,[21] former certified public accountant[17]
Polling
More information Poll source, Date(s) administered ...
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Joseph DeBragga |
Greg Dority |
Debra Goldman |
Fern Shubert |
Rudy Wright |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling | May 5–6, 2012 | 496 | ± 4.4% | 5% | 16% | 17% | 11% | 8% | 44% |
| Public Policy Polling | April 27–29, 2012 | 486 | ± 4.4% | 3% | 18% | 16% | 9% | 3% | 51% |
| Public Policy Polling | April 20–22, 2012 | 521 | ± 4.3% | 4% | 11% | 12% | 7% | 4% | 61% |
Close
Primary results
More information Party, Candidate ...
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Debra Goldman | 237,473 | 34.35 | |
| Republican | Greg Dority | 164,647 | 23.82 | |
| Republican | Fern Shubert | 126,983 | 18.37 | |
| Republican | Rudy Wright | 108,037 | 15.63 | |
| Republican | Joseph Hank DeBragga | 54,098 | 7.83 | |
| Total votes | 691,238 | 100 | ||
Close
As the runner-up, Dority chose not to request a runoff, making Goldman the nominee.[22]
General election
Polling
More information Poll source, Date(s) administered ...
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Beth Wood (D) |
Debra Goldman (R) |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling | October 29–31, 2012 | 730 | ± 3.6% | 50% | 38% | 12% |
| Public Policy Polling | October 23–25, 2012 | 880 LV | ± 3.3% | 45% | 38% | 18% |
| Public Policy Polling | August 31–September 1, 2012 | 1,012 | ± 3.1% | 40% | 38% | 22% |
| Public Policy Polling | July 5–8, 2012 | 775 | ± 3.5% | 39% | 36% | 25% |
| Public Policy Polling | June 7–10, 2012 | 810 | ± 3.4% | 36% | 36% | 29% |
Close
Results
More information Party, Candidate ...
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Beth Wood | 2,299,541 | 53.71 | |
| Republican | Debra Goldman | 1,981,539 | 46.29 | |
| Total votes | 4,281,080 | 100 | ||
Close
Democratic primary
- Janet Cowell, the Democratic incumbent State Treasurer, ran for re-election.[23]
- Ron Elmer, investment consultant[24]
Polling
More information Poll source, Date(s) administered ...
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Janet Cowell |
Ron Elmer |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling | April 27–29, 2012 | 500 | ± 4.4% | 50% | 11% | 39% |
| Public Policy Polling | April 20–22, 2012 | 500 | ± 4.4% | 38% | 11% | 51% |
| Public Policy Polling | March 23–25, 2012 | 505 | ± 4.36% | 34% | 12% | 55% |
| Public Policy Polling | February 29–March 1, 2012 | 499 | ± 4.4% | 32% | 14% | 54% |
Close
Primary results
More information Party, Candidate ...
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Janet Cowell | 630,151 | 76.63 | |
| Democratic | Ron Elmer | 192,135 | 23.37 | |
| Total votes | 822,286 | 100 | ||
Close
Republican primary
- Frank Roche, talk radio host[25]
- Steve Royal, certified public accountant[26]
Polling
More information Poll source, Date(s) administered ...
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Frank Roche |
Steve Royal |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling | May 5–6, 2012 | 496 | ± 4.4% | 24% | 30% | 47% |
| Public Policy Polling | April 27–29, 2012 | 486 | ± 4.4% | 17% | 27% | 57% |
Close
Primary results
More information Party, Candidate ...
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Steve Royal | 389,188 | 57.69 | |
| Republican | Frank Roche | 285,439 | 42.31 | |
| Total votes | 674,627 | 100 | ||
Close
General election
Polling
More information Poll source, Date(s) administered ...
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Janet Cowell (D) |
Steve Royal (R) |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling | October 29–31, 2012 | 730 | ± 3.6% | 46% | 41% | 13% |
| Public Policy Polling | August 31–September 1, 2012 | 1,012 | ± 3.1% | 42% | 38% | 20% |
| Public Policy Polling | July 5–8, 2012 | 775 | ± 3.5% | 38% | 35% | 27% |
| Public Policy Polling | October 12–14, 2012 | 1,084 | ± 3% | 34% | 33% | 33% |
Close
Results
More information Party, Candidate ...
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Janet Cowell | 2,313,877 | 53.83 | |
| Republican | Steve Royal | 1,984,827 | 46.17 | |
| Total votes | 4,298,704 | 100 | ||
Close
Democratic primary
- June Atkinson, the Democratic incumbent Superintendent, ran for re-election.[27]
- Withdrawn Candidates
Republican primary
- Richard Alexander, South Carolina teacher[17] and former small business owner[31]
- Mark Crawford, former state representative[32]
- Ray Martin, teacher[33]
- David Scholl, businessman and Union County School Board member[33]
- John Tedesco, Wake County School Board member[34]
Polling
More information Poll source, Date(s) administered ...
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Richard Alexander |
Mark Crawford |
Ray Martin |
David Scholl |
John Tedesco |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling | May 5–6, 2012 | 496 | ± 4.4% | 14% | 12% | 6% | 6% | 16% | 45% |
| Public Policy Polling | April 27–29, 2012 | 486 | ± 4.4% | 13% | 8% | 5% | 6% | 16% | 52% |
| Public Policy Polling | April 20–22, 2012 | 521 | ± 4.3% | 13% | 6% | 5% | 4% | 16% | 57% |
Close
Primary results
More information Party, Candidate ...
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | John Tedesco | 195,352 | 28.35 | |
| Republican | Richard Alexander | 167,354 | 24.28 | |
| Republican | Mark Crawford | 150,404 | 21.82 | |
| Republican | Ray E. Martin | 90,889 | 13.19 | |
| Republican | David Scholl | 85,145 | 12.36 | |
| Total votes | 689,144 | 100 | ||
Close
As the runner-up, Alexander requested a runoff.[35]
More information Party, Candidate ...
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | John Tedesco | 75,366 | 54.42 | |
| Republican | Richard Alexander | 63,119 | 45.58 | |
| Total votes | 138,485 | 100 | ||
Close
General election
Polling
More information Poll source, Date(s) administered ...
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
June Atkinson (D) |
John Tedesco (R) |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling | October 23–25, 2012 | 880 LV | ± 3.3% | 42% | 40% | 18% |
| Public Policy Polling | September 27–30, 2012 | 981 | ± 3.1% | 44% | 34% | 22% |
| Public Policy Polling | August 2–5, 2012 | 813 | ± 3.4% | 44% | 37% | 19% |
Close
Results
More information Party, Candidate ...
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | June Atkinson | 2,336,441 | 54.24 | |
| Republican | John Tedesco | 1,971,049 | 45.76 | |
| Total votes | 4,307,490 | 100 | ||
Close
Republican primary
- Bill McManus, real estate investor, former attorney and accountant, former Democratic member of Massachusetts House of Representatives[24]
- Steve Troxler, the Republican incumbent Commissioner, ran for re-election.[36]
Polling
More information Poll source, Date(s) administered ...
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Bill McManus |
Steve Troxler |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling | April 27–29, 2012 | 486 | ± 4.4% | 17% | 48% | 35% |
| Public Policy Polling | April 20–22, 2012 | 521 | ± 4.3% | 17% | 41% | 42% |
Close
Primary results
More information Party, Candidate ...
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Steve Troxler | 532,664 | 68.95 | |
| Republican | Bill McManus | 239,920 | 31.05 | |
| Total votes | 772,584 | 100 | ||
Close
Democratic primary
- Scott Bryant, farmer and former law enforcement officer[37]
- Walter Smith,[38] farmer, former USDA official, former mayor of Boonville[24]
Polling
More information Poll source, Date(s) administered ...
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Scott Bryant |
Walter Smith |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling | May 5–6, 2012 | 500 | ± 3.1% | 21% | 19% | 60% |
| Public Policy Polling | April 27–29, 2012 | 505 | ± 4.36% | 20% | 17% | 63% |
| Public Policy Polling | March 23–25, 2012 | 505 | ± 4.36% | 17% | 12% | 71% |
| Public Policy Polling | February 29–March 1, 2012 | 499 | ± 4.4% | 14% | 13% | 73% |
Close
Primary results
More information Party, Candidate ...
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Walter Smith | 424,287 | 55.11 | |
| Democratic | Scott Bryant | 345,644 | 44.89 | |
| Total votes | 769,931 | 100 | ||
Close
General election
Polling
More information Poll source, Date(s) administered ...
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Steve Troxler (R) |
Walter Smith (D) |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling | October 29–31, 2012 | 730 | ± 3.6% | 48% | 38% | 14% |
| Public Policy Polling | August 31–September 1, 2012 | 1,012 | ± 3.1% | 45% | 35% | 20% |
| Public Policy Polling | July 5–8, 2012 | 775 | ± 3.5% | 46% | 34% | 20% |
| Public Policy Polling | June 7–10, 2012 | 810 | ± 3.4% | 45% | 31% | 25% |
Close
Results
More information Party, Candidate ...
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Steve Troxler | 2,303,586 | 53.22 | |
| Democratic | Walter Smith | 2,025,054 | 46.78 | |
| Total votes | 4,328,640 | 100 | ||
Close
Republican primary
- Cherie Berry, the Republican incumbent Commissioner, ran for re-election.[39]
Democratic primary
- John C. Brooks, former Commissioner of Labor[9]
- Marlowe Foster, public affairs director for Pfizer (registered lobbyist), former Winston-Salem State University official[40]
- Ty Richardson, 2008 candidate[41]
Polling
More information Poll source, Date(s) administered ...
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
John Brooks |
Marlowe Foster |
Ty Richardson |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling | May 5–6, 2012 | 500 | ± 3.1% | 18% | 14% | 30% | 38% |
| Public Policy Polling | April 27–29, 2012 | 500 | ± 4.4% | 20% | 12% | 26% | 42% |
| Public Policy Polling | April 20–22, 2012 | 500 | ± 4.4% | 18% | 10% | 18% | 54% |
| Public Policy Polling | March 23–25, 2012 | 505 | ± 4.36% | 18% | 8% | 22% | 51% |
| Public Policy Polling | February 29–March 1, 2012 | 499 | ± 4.4% | 13% | 9% | 26% | 52% |
Close
Primary results
More information Party, Candidate ...
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | John C. Brooks | 289,356 | 37.14 | |
| Democratic | Marlowe Foster | 256,964 | 32.98 | |
| Democratic | Ty Richardson | 232,730 | 29.87 | |
| Total votes | 779,050 | 100 | ||
Close
As the runner-up, Foster requested a runoff.[42]
More information Party, Candidate ...
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | John C. Brooks | 31,216 | 54.15 | |
| Democratic | Marlowe Foster | 26,431 | 45.85 | |
| Total votes | 57,647 | 100 | ||
Close
General election
Polling
More information Poll source, Date(s) administered ...
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Cherie Berry (R) |
John Brooks (D) |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling | October 23–25, 2012 | 880 LV | ± 3.3% | 43% | 37% | 19% |
| Public Policy Polling | September 27–30, 2012 | 981 | ± 3.1% | 41% | 37% | 22% |
| Public Policy Polling | August 2–5, 2012 | 813 | ± 3.4% | 44% | 34% | 22% |
Close
Results
More information Party, Candidate ...
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Cherie Berry | 2,300,500 | 53.26 | |
| Democratic | John Brooks | 2,019,266 | 46.74 | |
| Total votes | 4,319,766 | 100 | ||
Close
Democratic primary
- Wayne Goodwin, the Democratic incumbent Commissioner, ran for re-election.[43]
Republican primary
- Mike Causey, former lobbyist[44]
- James McCall, insurance agent[45]
- Richard T. Morgan, former state representative[46]
Polling
More information Poll source, Date(s) administered ...
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Mike Causey |
James McCall |
Richard Morgan |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling | May 5–6, 2012 | 496 | ± 4.4% | 20% | 14% | 19% | 47% |
| Public Policy Polling | April 27–29, 2012 | 486 | ± 4.4% | 12% | 12% | 25% | 51% |
| Public Policy Polling | April 20–22, 2012 | 521 | ± 4.3% | 13% | 10% | 17% | 60% |
Close
Primary results
More information Party, Candidate ...
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Richard Morgan | 258,935 | 37.01 | |
| Republican | Mike Causey | 245,430 | 35.08 | |
| Republican | James McCall | 195,348 | 27.92 | |
| Total votes | 699,713 | 100 | ||
Close
As the runner-up, Causey requested a runoff.[47] 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.
More information Party, Candidate ...
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Mike Causey | 80,704 | 57.39 | |
| Republican | Richard Morgan | 59,910 | 42.61 | |
| Total votes | 140,614 | 100 | ||
Close
General election
Polling
More information Poll source, Date(s) administered ...
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Wayne Goodwin (D) |
Mike Causey (R) |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling | October 23–25, 2012 | 880 LV | ± 3.3% | 45% | 36% | 19% |
| Public Policy Polling | September 27–30, 2012 | 981 | ± 3.1% | 41% | 36% | 23% |
| Public Policy Polling | August 2–5, 2012 | 813 | ± 3.4% | 40% | 36% | 24% |
Close
More information Party, Candidate ...
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Wayne Goodwin | 2,226,344 | 51.86 | |
| Republican | Mike Causey | 2,066,601 | 48.14 | |
| Total votes | 4,292,945 | 100 | ||
Close
- "Elections". North Carolina State Board of Elections. Archived from the original on February 21, 2012. Retrieved February 13, 2012.
- "News & Observer: It's official". Archived from the original on August 23, 2012. Retrieved May 10, 2012.
- "Article III". North Carolina Constitution. State of North Carolina. Archived from the original on March 27, 2017. Retrieved November 10, 2011.
- "Daily Reflector". Archived from the original on August 19, 2016. Retrieved March 1, 2012.
- Staff Reports (October 20, 2011). "Elaine Marshall announces she'll run again". Raleigh News & Observer. Retrieved November 10, 2011.
- "Beitler enters state race". Northwest Observer. August 26, 2011. Retrieved November 4, 2011.[permanent dead link]
- NC State Board of Elections: Candidate filing list Archived March 11, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
- "Primary Voter Guide". North Carolina State Board of Elections. Archived from the original on May 2, 2012. Retrieved May 2, 2012.
- 2012 Election Tracker Archived November 11, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
- Barksdale, Andrew; Woolverton, Paul (November 7, 2011). "Rep. Rick Glazier may run for N.C. Superintendent of Public Instruction". Fayetteville Observer. Archived from the original on November 11, 2011. Retrieved November 10, 2011.
- Bonner, I. (October 18, 2011). "Democrat announces for Labor Commissioner". Raleigh News & Observer. Retrieved November 10, 2011.
- "Winston-Salem Journal". Archived from the original on March 1, 2012. Retrieved February 27, 2012.
- News & Observer: Marlowe Foster seeks runoff Archived December 22, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
- "N.C. Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin Announces Run for Re-election, Raises Record Campaign Cash". NCDP.org. NC Democratic Party. October 11, 2011. Archived from the original on April 2, 2012. Retrieved November 10, 2011.