2012 North Carolina gubernatorial election
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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.
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November 6, 2012
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| Turnout | 67.30% | ||||||||||||||||
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   McCrory: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% >90% Dalton: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% >90% Tie: 40–50% | |||||||||||||||||
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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,[1] 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[2]
- Walter H. Dalton, Lieutenant Governor[3]
- Gary M. Dunn,[4] salesman and UNC-Charlotte student[5]
- Bob Etheridge, former U.S. Representative[6]
- Bill Faison, state representative[7]
- Gardenia Henley, retired U.S. Agency for International Development auditor[8]
Declined
- Dan Blue, state senator[9]
- Erskine Bowles, chairman of the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform, former UNC System president, former White House Chief of Staff[10]
- Roy Cooper, Attorney General of North Carolina[11]
- Janet Cowell, state treasurer[12]
- Cal Cunningham, former state senator[13]
- Anthony Foxx, mayor of Charlotte[14]
- Kay Hagan, U.S. Senator[15]
- Jim Hunt, former governor[11]
- Allen Joines, Mayor of Winston-Salem[16]
- Mike McIntyre, U.S. Representative[17]
- Brad Miller, U.S. Representative[18]
- Richard H. Moore, former North Carolina State Treasurer and candidate for governor in 2008[19]
- Bev Perdue, incumbent governor[20]
- Heath Shuler, U.S. Representative[21]
Polling
| 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[22] | May 5–6, 2012 | 500 | ± 3.1% | 2% | 34% | 4% | 29% | 4% | 4% | 24% |
| Survey USA[23] | April 26–30, 2012 | 560 | ± 4.2% | 2% | 32% | 5% | 23% | 5% | 3% | 30% |
| Public Policy Polling[24] | April 27–29, 2012 | 500 | ± 4.4% | 3% | 36% | 2% | 26% | 5% | 3% | 25% |
| Civitas/Survey USA[25] | April 20–23, 2012 | 448 | ± 4.7% | 3% | 32% | 3% | 27% | 4% | 2% | 27% |
| Public Policy Polling[26] | April 20–22, 2012 | 500 | ± 4.4% | 4% | 26% | 4% | 25% | 5% | 2% | 35% |
| Public Policy Polling[27] | March 23–25, 2012 | 505 | ± 4.4% | 5% | 15% | 4% | 26% | 3% | 2% | 45% |
| Public Policy Polling[28] | 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[29] | 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.[30] The first debate, conducted by WRAL-TV and broadcast statewide, featured few differences between the candidates, but Faison was seen as the aggressor.[31] 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.[32] 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.[33]
Results
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%
| 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[35]
- Scott Jones, businessman[36]
- Jim Mahan, small businessman and former teacher[37]
- Pat McCrory, former mayor of Charlotte and nominee for governor in 2008[38]
- Charles Kenneth Moss, businessman and preacher[39][40]
- Paul Wright, attorney and former District Court and Superior Court judge[39]
Declined
- Phil Berger, State Senate President Pro Tem[41]
- Cherie Berry, state labor commissioner (running for re-election)[42]
- Peter Brunstetter, state senator[43]
- Paul Coble, former mayor of Raleigh and current chairman of the Wake County Board of Commissioners (running for Congress)[44]
- Steve Troxler, state Agriculture Commissioner (running for re-election)[45]
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[22] | May 5–6, 2012 | 496 | ± 4.4% | 2% | 3% | 2% | 70% | 1% | 2% | 20% |
| Survey USA[23] | April 26–30, 2012 | 451 | ± 4.5% | 3% | 3% | 2% | 65% | 3% | 2% | 21% |
| Public Policy Polling[46] | April 27–29, 2012 | 486 | ± 4.4% | 4% | 2% | 2% | 66% | 0% | 2% | 24% |
| Public Policy Polling[47] | April 20–22, 2012 | 521 | ± 4.3% | 3% | 1% | 2% | 67% | 1% | 2% | 23% |
| Public Policy Polling[48] | 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[49] | 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[50] | November 19–21, 2010 | 400 | ± 4.9% | 2% | 3% | 12% | 11% | 37% | 3% | 6% | 4% | 22% |
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 governor
- Barbara Howe (L), nominee for governor in 2000 and 2004[51]
- Pat McCrory (R), former mayor of Charlotte and nominee for governor in 2008
Predictions
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| The Cook Political Report[52] | Lean R (flip) | November 1, 2012 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[53] | Likely R (flip) | November 5, 2012 |
| Rothenberg Political Report[54] | Likely R (flip) | November 2, 2012 |
| Real Clear Politics[55] | Likely R (flip) | 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.[56] 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."[57]
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[58] | November 3–4, 2012 | 926 | ± 3.2% | 43% | 50% | 4% | — | 3% |
| Public Policy Polling[59] | October 29–31, 2012 | 730 | ± 3.6% | 39% | 50% | 4% | — | 7% |
| WRAL News/SurveyUSA[60] | October 26–29, 2012 | 682 | ± 3.8% | 36% | 53% | — | — | 11% |
| Elon University[61] | October 21–26, 2012 | 1,238 | ± 2.8% | 38% | 52% | — | 2% | 8% |
| Rasmussen Reports[62] | October 25, 2012 | 500 | ± 4.5% | 35% | 54% | — | 1% | 10% |
| Public Policy Polling[63] | October 23–25, 2012 | 880 | ± 3.3% | 37% | 50% | 5% | — | 8% |
| Rasmussen Reports[62] | October 17, 2012 | 500 | ± 4.5% | 42% | 53% | — | — | 4% |
| Public Policy Polling[64] | October 12–14, 2012 | 1,084 | ± 3% | 37% | 47% | 5% | — | 11% |
| Rasmussen Reports[65] | October 9, 2012 | 500 | ± 4.5% | 38% | 52% | — | — | 10% |
| Gravis Marketing[66] | October 6–8, 2012 | 1,325 | ± 2.9% | 33% | 50% | — | — | 17% |
| Rasmussen Reports[67] | October 2, 2012 | 500 | ± 4.5% | 38% | 54% | — | 1% | 7% |
| Survey USA[68] | September 29 – October 1, 2012 | 573 | ± 4.2% | 39% | 51% | 3% | — | 7% |
| Public Policy Polling[69] | September 27–30, 2012 | 981 | ± 3.1% | 37% | 47% | 5% | — | 10% |
| WSJ/NBC News/Marist[70] | September 23–25, 2012 | 1,035 | ± 3.4% | 39% | 52% | — | — | 8% |
| Civitas[71] | September 18–19, 2012 | 600 | ± 4% | 38% | 49% | 3% | — | 10% |
| Rasmussen Reports[62] | September 13, 2012 | 500 | ± 3.4% | 38% | 51% | 1% | — | 10% |
| Survey USA/Civitas[72] | September 4–6, 2012 | 500 | ± 3.4% | 39% | 55% | 4% | — | 29% |
| Public Policy Polling[73] | August 31 – September 2, 2012 | 1,012 | ± 3.4% | 39% | 45% | 5% | — | 10% |
| Elon Univ./Charlotte Observer[74] | August 25–30, 2012 | 1,089 | ± 3.4% | 37% | 52% | — | — | 11% |
| Public Policy Polling[75] | August 2–5, 2012 | 813 | ± 3.4% | 38% | 45% | 7% | — | 11% |
| Rasmussen Reports[62] | July 27, 2012 | 500 | ± 4.5% | 41% | 46% | — | 3% | 10% |
| Civitas[76] | July 16–18, 2012 | 600 | ± 4% | 37% | 47% | 6% | — | 4% |
| Public Policy Polling[77] | July 5–8, 2012 | 775 | ± 3.5% | 36% | 43% | 9% | — | 12% |
| Survey USA[78] | June 29 – July 1, 2012 | 558 | ± 4.2% | 44% | 46% | 7% | — | 3% |
| Rasmussen Reports[62] | June 25, 2012 | 500 | ± 4.5% | 35% | 49% | — | 4% | 12% |
| NBC News/Marist[79] | June 24–25, 2012 | 1,019 | ± 3.1% | 41% | 43% | — | — | 17% |
| Public Policy Polling[80] | June 7–10, 2012 | 810 | ± 3.4% | 40% | 47% | — | — | 13% |
| Survey USA[81] | May 18–21, 2012 | 524 | ± 4.4% | 39% | 44% | 7% | — | 10% |
| Civitas[82] | May 19–20, 2012 | 600 | ± 4% | 38% | 48% | — | — | 12% |
| Rasmussen Reports[62] | May 14, 2012 | 500 | ± 4.5% | 41% | 50% | — | 1% | 8% |
| Public Policy Polling[83] | May 10–13, 2012 | 666 | ± 3.8% | 40% | 46% | — | — | 13% |
| Rasmussen Reports[62] | April 10, 2012 | 500 | ± 4.5% | 36% | 45% | — | 5% | 14% |
| Public Policy Polling[84] | March 8–11, 2012 | 804 | ± 3.5% | 35% | 46% | — | — | 19% |
| Civitas[85] | February 27–28, 2012 | 600 | ± 4% | 29% | 49% | — | — | 22% |
| Public Policy Polling[86] | January 27–29, 2012 | 554 | ± 4.2% | 35% | 50% | — | — | 15% |
| Public Policy Polling[87] | September 30 – October 3, 2011 | 760 | ± 3.6% | 32% | 46% | — | — | 23% |
| Public Policy Polling[88] | March 17–20, 2011 | 584 | ± 4.1% | 27% | 47% | — | — | 26% |
Hypothetical polling
Democratic primary polling with Perdue
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Bill Faison |
Bev Perdue |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling[89] | December 1–4, 2011 | 392 | ± 5.0% | 23% | 55% | — | 23% |
| Public Policy Polling[87] | 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[49] | 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[86] | January 27–29, 2012 | 554 | ± 4.2% | 31% | 49% | — | 19% |
| Public Policy Polling[88] | 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[84] | 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[86] | January 27–29, 2012 | 554 | ± 4.2% | 42% | 44% | — | 14% |
| Public Policy Polling[87] | 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[87] | September 30 – October 3, 2011 | 760 | ± 3.6% | 39% | 42% | — | 19% |
| Public Policy Polling[88] | 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[86] | 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[84] | March 8–11, 2012 | 804 | ± 3.5% | 36% | 46% | — | 18% |
| Public Policy Polling[86] | 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[86] | January 27–29, 2012 | 554 | ± 4.2% | 31% | 50% | — | 19% |
| Public Policy Polling[90] | January 5–8, 2012 | 780 | ± 3.5% | 27% | 47% | — | 26% |
| Public Policy Polling[89] | December 1–4, 2011 | 865 | ± 3.3% | 26% | 47% | — | 26% |
| Public Policy Polling[87] | 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[84] | 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[86] | 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[86] | 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[86] | 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[86] | 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[86] | 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[86] | 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[91] | 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[92] | 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[90] | January 5–8, 2012 | 780 | ± 3.5% | 41% | 52% | — | 7% |
| Public Policy Polling[89] | December 1–4, 2011 | 865 | ± 3.3% | 40% | 50% | — | 10% |
| Public Policy Polling[93] | October 27–31, 2011 | 615 | ± 4.0% | 39% | 48% | — | 13% |
| Public Policy Polling[87] | September 30 – October 3, 2011 | 760 | ± 3.6% | 42% | 47% | — | 10% |
| Public Policy Polling[91] | September 1–4, 2011 | 520 | ± 4.3% | 41% | 45% | — | 14% |
| Public Policy Polling[94] | August 4–7, 2011 | 780 | ± 3.5% | 39% | 47% | — | 14% |
| Civitas Institute[95] | July 12–13, 2011 | 600 | ± 4.0% | 35% | 55% | — | 8% |
| Public Policy Polling[96] | July 7–10, 2011 | 651 | ± 3.8% | 39% | 47% | — | 14% |
| Public Policy Polling[97] | June 8–11, 2011 | 563 | ± 4.1% | 39% | 45% | — | 16% |
| Public Policy Polling[98] | May 12–15, 2011 | 835 | ± 3.4% | 39% | 46% | — | 15% |
| Public Policy Polling[99] | April 14–17, 2011 | 507 | ± 4.4% | 38% | 49% | — | 13% |
| Survey USA[100] | April 14–15, 2011 | 500 | ± 4.5% | 39% | 51% | 5% | 4% |
| Public Policy Polling[88] | March 17–20, 2011 | 584 | ± 4.1% | 36% | 50% | — | 14% |
| Public Policy Polling[101] | February 16–21, 2011 | 650 | ± 3.8% | 37% | 49% | — | 15% |
| Public Policy Polling[102] | January 20–23, 2011 | 575 | ± 4.1% | 40% | 47% | — | 14% |
| Civitas Institute[103] | December 15–16, 2010 | 600 | ± 4.0% | 36% | 51% | — | 12% |
| Public Policy Polling[92] | November 19–21, 2010 | 517 | ± 4.3% | 37% | 49% | — | 14% |
| Civitas Institute[104] | 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[91] | 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[86] | January 27–29, 2012 | 554 | ± 4.2% | 31% | 48% | — | 21% |
Results
| 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.[106]
| District | McCrory | Dalton | Representative |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 29.35% | 69.26% | G. K. Butterfield |
| 2nd | 60.13% | 37.63% | Renee Ellmers |
| 3rd | 59.34% | 38.22% | Walter B. Jones Jr. |
| 4th | 31.29% | 65.74% | David Price |
| 5th | 63.66% | 34.12% | Virginia Foxx |
| 6th | 61.21% | 36.51% | Howard Coble |
| 7th | 61.37% | 36.63% | Mike McIntyre |
| 8th | 62.7% | 35.59% | Larry Kissell |
| Richard Hudson | |||
| 9th | 67.81% | 30.47% | Sue Myrick |
| Robert Pittenger | |||
| 10th | 61.68% | 36.3% | Patrick McHenry |
| 11th | 63.14% | 34.18% | Heath Shuler |
| Mark Meadows | |||
| 12th | 26.85% | 71.37% | Mel Watt |
| 13th | 59.34% | 38.49% | Brad Miller |
| George Holding |