2012 North Carolina Council of State election
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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.[1][2]
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November 6, 2012
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All 10 members of the North Carolina Council of State | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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 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
Republican Pat McCrory was elected governor.
Lieutenant governor
Republican Dan Forest was elected lieutenant governor.
Attorney general
Roy Cooper, the Democratic incumbent attorney general, ran for re-election unopposed.[4]
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Roy Cooper | 2,828,941 | 100 | |
| Total votes | 2,828,941 | 100 | ||
Secretary of State
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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
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Michael Beitler |
A.J. Daoud |
Kenn Gardner |
Eddy Goodwin |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling[12] | May 5–6, 2012 | 496 | ± 4.4% | 8% | 11% | 23% | 14% | 45% |
| Public Policy Polling[13] | April 27–29, 2012 | 486 | ± 4.4% | 7% | 9% | 20% | 11% | 52% |
| Public Policy Polling[14] | April 20–22, 2012 | 521 | ± 4.3% | 6% | 6% | 17% | 10% | 61% |
Primary results
| 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 | ||
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.[16]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Ed Goodwin | 74,252 | 54.48 | |
| Republican | Kenn Gardner | 62,044 | 45.52 | |
| Total votes | 136,296 | 100 | ||
General election
Polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Elaine Marshall (D) |
Ed Goodwin (R) |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling[18] | October 23–25, 2012 | 880 LV | ± 3.3% | 43% | 38% | 19% |
| Public Policy Polling[19] | September 27–30, 2012 | 981 | ± 3.1% | 41% | 34% | 24% |
| Public Policy Polling[20] | August 2–5, 2012 | 813 | ± 3.4% | 43% | 37% | 19% |
Results
| 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 | ||
State Auditor
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November 6, 2012
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Democratic primary
- Beth A. Wood, the Democratic incumbent State Auditor, ran for re-election.[21]
Republican primary
- Joseph Hank DeBragga,[22] auditor for North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources[23]
- Greg Dority, three-time congressional candidate, Beaufort County Republican Party chairman[24]
- Debra Goldman, Wake County School Board member[25]
- Fern Shubert, former state senator, former state representative, certified public accountant[23][26]
- Rudy Wright, Mayor of Hickory,[27] former certified public accountant[23]
Polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Joseph DeBragga |
Greg Dority |
Debra Goldman |
Fern Shubert |
Rudy Wright |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling[12] | May 5–6, 2012 | 496 | ± 4.4% | 5% | 16% | 17% | 11% | 8% | 44% |
| Public Policy Polling[13] | April 27–29, 2012 | 486 | ± 4.4% | 3% | 18% | 16% | 9% | 3% | 51% |
| Public Policy Polling[14] | April 20–22, 2012 | 521 | ± 4.3% | 4% | 11% | 12% | 7% | 4% | 61% |
Primary results
| 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 | ||
As the runner-up, Dority chose not to request a runoff, making Goldman the nominee.[28]
General election
Polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Beth Wood (D) |
Debra Goldman (R) |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling[29] | October 29–31, 2012 | 730 | ± 3.6% | 50% | 38% | 12% |
| Public Policy Polling[18] | October 23–25, 2012 | 880 LV | ± 3.3% | 45% | 38% | 18% |
| Public Policy Polling[30] | August 31–September 1, 2012 | 1,012 | ± 3.1% | 40% | 38% | 22% |
| Public Policy Polling[31] | July 5–8, 2012 | 775 | ± 3.5% | 39% | 36% | 25% |
| Public Policy Polling[32] | June 7–10, 2012 | 810 | ± 3.4% | 36% | 36% | 29% |
Results
| 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 | ||
State Treasurer
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  Cowell: 50-60% 60-70% 70-80% 80-90% Royal: 50-60% 60-70% 70-80% | |||||||||||||||||
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Democratic primary
- Janet Cowell, the Democratic incumbent State Treasurer, ran for re-election.[33]
- Ron Elmer, investment consultant[34]
Polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Janet Cowell |
Ron Elmer |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling[35] | April 27–29, 2012 | 500 | ± 4.4% | 50% | 11% | 39% |
| Public Policy Polling[36] | April 20–22, 2012 | 500 | ± 4.4% | 38% | 11% | 51% |
| Public Policy Polling[37] | March 23–25, 2012 | 505 | ± 4.36% | 34% | 12% | 55% |
| Public Policy Polling[38] | February 29–March 1, 2012 | 499 | ± 4.4% | 32% | 14% | 54% |
Primary results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Janet Cowell | 630,151 | 76.63 | |
| Democratic | Ron Elmer | 192,135 | 23.37 | |
| Total votes | 822,286 | 100 | ||
Republican primary
- Frank Roche, talk radio host[39]
- Steve Royal, certified public accountant[40]
Polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Frank Roche |
Steve Royal |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling[12] | May 5–6, 2012 | 496 | ± 4.4% | 24% | 30% | 47% |
| Public Policy Polling[13] | April 27–29, 2012 | 486 | ± 4.4% | 17% | 27% | 57% |
Primary results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Steve Royal | 389,188 | 57.69 | |
| Republican | Frank Roche | 285,439 | 42.31 | |
| Total votes | 674,627 | 100 | ||
General election
Polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Janet Cowell (D) |
Steve Royal (R) |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling[29] | October 29–31, 2012 | 730 | ± 3.6% | 46% | 41% | 13% |
| Public Policy Polling[30] | August 31–September 1, 2012 | 1,012 | ± 3.1% | 42% | 38% | 20% |
| Public Policy Polling[31] | July 5–8, 2012 | 775 | ± 3.5% | 38% | 35% | 27% |
| Public Policy Polling[41] | October 12–14, 2012 | 1,084 | ± 3% | 34% | 33% | 33% |
Results
| 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 | ||
Superintendent of Public Instruction
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 Atkinson: 50-60% 60-70% 70-80% Tedesco: 50-60% 60-70% 70-80% | |||||||||||||||||
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Democratic primary
- June Atkinson, the Democratic incumbent Superintendent, ran for re-election.[42]
Withdrawn Candidates
Republican primary
- Richard Alexander, South Carolina teacher[23] and former small business owner[46]
- Mark Crawford, former state representative[47]
- Ray Martin, teacher[48]
- David Scholl, businessman and Union County School Board member[48]
- John Tedesco, Wake County School Board member[49]
Polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Richard Alexander |
Mark Crawford |
Ray Martin |
David Scholl |
John Tedesco |
Undecided |
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| Public Policy Polling[12] | May 5–6, 2012 | 496 | ± 4.4% | 14% | 12% | 6% | 6% | 16% | 45% |
| Public Policy Polling[13] | April 27–29, 2012 | 486 | ± 4.4% | 13% | 8% | 5% | 6% | 16% | 52% |
| Public Policy Polling[14] | April 20–22, 2012 | 521 | ± 4.3% | 13% | 6% | 5% | 4% | 16% | 57% |
Primary results
| 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 | ||
As the runner-up, Alexander requested a runoff.[50]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | John Tedesco | 75,366 | 54.42 | |
| Republican | Richard Alexander | 63,119 | 45.58 | |
| Total votes | 138,485 | 100 | ||
General election
Polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
June Atkinson (D) |
John Tedesco (R) |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling[18] | October 23–25, 2012 | 880 LV | ± 3.3% | 42% | 40% | 18% |
| Public Policy Polling[19] | September 27–30, 2012 | 981 | ± 3.1% | 44% | 34% | 22% |
| Public Policy Polling[20] | August 2–5, 2012 | 813 | ± 3.4% | 44% | 37% | 19% |
Results
| 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 | ||
Commissioner of Agriculture
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Republican primary
- Bill McManus, real estate investor, former attorney and accountant, former Democratic member of Massachusetts House of Representatives[34]
- Steve Troxler, the Republican incumbent Commissioner, ran for re-election.[51]
Polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Bill McManus |
Steve Troxler |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling[13] | April 27–29, 2012 | 486 | ± 4.4% | 17% | 48% | 35% |
| Public Policy Polling[14] | April 20–22, 2012 | 521 | ± 4.3% | 17% | 41% | 42% |
Primary results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Steve Troxler | 532,664 | 68.95 | |
| Republican | Bill McManus | 239,920 | 31.05 | |
| Total votes | 772,584 | 100 | ||
Democratic primary
- Scott Bryant, farmer and former law enforcement officer[52]
- Walter Smith,[53] farmer, former USDA official, former mayor of Boonville[34]
Polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Scott Bryant |
Walter Smith |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling[12] | May 5–6, 2012 | 500 | ± 3.1% | 21% | 19% | 60% |
| Public Policy Polling[35] | April 27–29, 2012 | 505 | ± 4.36% | 20% | 17% | 63% |
| Public Policy Polling[37] | March 23–25, 2012 | 505 | ± 4.36% | 17% | 12% | 71% |
| Public Policy Polling[38] | February 29–March 1, 2012 | 499 | ± 4.4% | 14% | 13% | 73% |
Primary results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Walter Smith | 424,287 | 55.11 | |
| Democratic | Scott Bryant | 345,644 | 44.89 | |
| Total votes | 769,931 | 100 | ||
General election
Polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Steve Troxler (R) |
Walter Smith (D) |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling[29] | October 29–31, 2012 | 730 | ± 3.6% | 48% | 38% | 14% |
| Public Policy Polling[30] | August 31–September 1, 2012 | 1,012 | ± 3.1% | 45% | 35% | 20% |
| Public Policy Polling[31] | July 5–8, 2012 | 775 | ± 3.5% | 46% | 34% | 20% |
| Public Policy Polling[32] | June 7–10, 2012 | 810 | ± 3.4% | 45% | 31% | 25% |
Results
| 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 | ||
Commissioner of Labor
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November 6, 2012
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Republican primary
- Cherie Berry, the Republican incumbent Commissioner, ran for re-election.[54]
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[55]
- Ty Richardson, 2008 candidate[56]
Polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
John Brooks |
Marlowe Foster |
Ty Richardson |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling[12] | May 5–6, 2012 | 500 | ± 3.1% | 18% | 14% | 30% | 38% |
| Public Policy Polling[35] | April 27–29, 2012 | 500 | ± 4.4% | 20% | 12% | 26% | 42% |
| Public Policy Polling[36] | April 20–22, 2012 | 500 | ± 4.4% | 18% | 10% | 18% | 54% |
| Public Policy Polling[37] | March 23–25, 2012 | 505 | ± 4.36% | 18% | 8% | 22% | 51% |
| Public Policy Polling[38] | February 29–March 1, 2012 | 499 | ± 4.4% | 13% | 9% | 26% | 52% |
Primary results
| 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 | ||
As the runner-up, Foster requested a runoff.[57]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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| Democratic | John C. Brooks | 31,216 | 54.15 | |
| Democratic | Marlowe Foster | 26,431 | 45.85 | |
| Total votes | 57,647 | 100 | ||
General election
Polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Cherie Berry (R) |
John Brooks (D) |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling[18] | October 23–25, 2012 | 880 LV | ± 3.3% | 43% | 37% | 19% |
| Public Policy Polling[19] | September 27–30, 2012 | 981 | ± 3.1% | 41% | 37% | 22% |
| Public Policy Polling[20] | August 2–5, 2012 | 813 | ± 3.4% | 44% | 34% | 22% |
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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| Republican | Cherie Berry | 2,300,500 | 53.26 | |
| Democratic | John Brooks | 2,019,266 | 46.74 | |
| Total votes | 4,319,766 | 100 | ||
Commissioner of Insurance
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November 6, 2012
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Democratic primary
- Wayne Goodwin, the Democratic incumbent Commissioner, ran for re-election.[58]
Republican primary
- Mike Causey, former lobbyist[59]
- James McCall, insurance agent[60]
- Richard T. Morgan, former state representative[61]
Polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Mike Causey |
James McCall |
Richard Morgan |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling[12] | May 5–6, 2012 | 496 | ± 4.4% | 20% | 14% | 19% | 47% |
| Public Policy Polling[13] | April 27–29, 2012 | 486 | ± 4.4% | 12% | 12% | 25% | 51% |
| Public Policy Polling[14] | April 20–22, 2012 | 521 | ± 4.3% | 13% | 10% | 17% | 60% |
Primary results
| 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 | ||
As the runner-up, Causey requested a runoff.[62] 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.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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| Republican | Mike Causey | 80,704 | 57.39 | |
| Republican | Richard Morgan | 59,910 | 42.61 | |
| Total votes | 140,614 | 100 | ||
General election
Polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Wayne Goodwin (D) |
Mike Causey (R) |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling[18] | October 23–25, 2012 | 880 LV | ± 3.3% | 45% | 36% | 19% |
| Public Policy Polling[19] | September 27–30, 2012 | 981 | ± 3.1% | 41% | 36% | 23% |
| Public Policy Polling[20] | August 2–5, 2012 | 813 | ± 3.4% | 40% | 36% | 24% |
| 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 | ||