2012 North Carolina gubernatorial election

Template:Short description Template:Use American English 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 North Carolina'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 Governor
• Gary M. Dunn, salesman and UNC-Charlotte student
• Bob Etheridge, former U.S. Representative
• Bill Faison, state representative
• Gardenia Henley, retired U.S. Agency for International Development auditor

Declined

• Dan Blue, state senator
• Erskine 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 Carolina
• Janet Cowell, state treasurer
• Cal Cunningham, former state senator
• Anthony Foxx, mayor of Charlotte
• Kay Hagan, U.S. Senator
• Jim Hunt, former governor
• Allen Joines, Mayor of Winston-Salem
• Mike McIntyre, U.S. Representative
• Brad Miller, U.S. Representative
• Richard H. Moore, former North Carolina State Treasurer and candidate for governor in 2008
• Bev Perdue, incumbent governor
• Heath Shuler, U.S. Representative

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	May 5–6, 2012	500	± 3.1%	2%	style="color:black;background-color:Template:Democratic Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 34%	4%	29%	4%	4%	24%
Survey USA	April 26–30, 2012	560	± 4.2%	2%	style="color:black;background-color:Template:Democratic Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 32%	5%	23%	5%	3%	30%
Public Policy Polling	April 27–29, 2012	500	± 4.4%	3%	style="color:black;background-color:Template:Democratic Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 36%	2%	26%	5%	3%	25%
Civitas/Survey USA	April 20–23, 2012	448	± 4.7%	3%	style="color:black;background-color:Template:Democratic Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 32%	3%	27%	4%	2%	27%
Public Policy Polling	April 20–22, 2012	500	± 4.4%	4%	style="color:black;background-color:Template:Democratic Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 26%	4%	25%	5%	2%	Template:Party shading/Undecided align=center| 35%
Public Policy Polling	March 23–25, 2012	505	± 4.4%	5%	15%	4%	style="color:black;background-color:Template:Democratic Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 26%	3%	2%	Template:Party shading/Undecided align=center| 45%
Public Policy Polling	February 29 – March 1, 2012	499	± 4.4%	5%	19%	2%	style="color:black;background-color:Template:Democratic Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 26%	2%	4%	Template:Party shading/Undecided align=center| 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%	style="color:black;background-color:Template:Democratic Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 21%	2%	6%	8%	7%	Template:Party shading/Undecided align=center| 33%
				11%	20%	style="color:black;background-color:Template:Democratic Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 24%	4%	—	—	—	Template:Party shading/Undecided align=center| 41%
				—	22%	style="color:black;background-color:Template:Democratic Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 25%	6%	7%	—	—	Template:Party shading/Undecided align=center| 40%
				—	20%	style="color:black;background-color:Template:Democratic Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 24%	4%	—	11%	—	Template:Party shading/Undecided align=center| 41%
				—	21%	style="color:black;background-color:Template:Democratic Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 24%	5%	—	—	8%	Template:Party shading/Undecided align=center| 41%
				—	24%	style="color:black;background-color:Template:Democratic Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 30%	6%	—	—	—	Template:Party shading/Undecided align=center| 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

File:2012 North Carolina gubernatorial Democratic primary county map.svg

Primary results by county:

Democratic primary results

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
		Walter H. Dalton		45.8
		Bob Etheridge		38.0
		Bill Faison		5.6
		Gardenia Henley		5.2
		Gary M. Dunn		2.9
		Bruce Blackmon		2.4
Total votes				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 2008
• Charles Kenneth Moss, businessman and preacher
• Paul Wright, attorney and former District Court and Superior Court judge

Declined

• Phil Berger, State Senate President Pro Tem
• Cherie 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%	style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 70%	1%	2%	20%
Survey USA	April 26–30, 2012	451	± 4.5%	3%	3%	2%	style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 65%	3%	2%	21%
Public Policy Polling	April 27–29, 2012	486	± 4.4%	4%	2%	2%	style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 66%	0%	2%	24%
Public Policy Polling	April 20–22, 2012	521	± 4.3%	3%	1%	2%	style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 67%	1%	2%	23%
Public Policy Polling	March 22–25, 2012	561	± 4.1%	2%	1%	3%	style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 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%	style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 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%	style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 37%	3%	6%	4%	22%

Results

Republican primary results

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
		Pat McCrory		83.4
		Paul Wright		5.3
		Scott Jones		3.5
		Jim Mahan		3.3
		Jim Harney		2.9
		Charles Kenneth Moss		1.5
Total votes				100.0

General election

Candidates

• Walter H. Dalton (D), lieutenant governor
• Barbara Howe (L), nominee for governor in 2000 and 2004
• Pat McCrory (R), former mayor of Charlotte and nominee for governor in 2008

Predictions

Source	Ranking	As of
The Cook Political Report	Template:USRaceRating	November 1, 2012
Sabato's Crystal Ball	Template:USRaceRating	November 5, 2012
Rothenberg Political Report	Template:USRaceRating	November 2, 2012
Real Clear Politics	Template:USRaceRating	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. 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%	style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 50%	4%	—	3%
Public Policy Polling	October 29–31, 2012	730	± 3.6%	39%	style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 50%	4%	—	7%
WRAL News/SurveyUSA	October 26–29, 2012	682	± 3.8%	36%	style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 53%	—	—	11%
Elon University	October 21–26, 2012	1,238	± 2.8%	38%	style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 52%	—	2%	8%
Rasmussen Reports	October 25, 2012	500	± 4.5%	35%	style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 54%	—	1%	10%
Public Policy Polling	October 23–25, 2012	880	± 3.3%	37%	style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 50%	5%	—	8%
Rasmussen Reports	October 17, 2012	500	± 4.5%	42%	style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 53%	—	—	4%
Public Policy Polling	October 12–14, 2012	1,084	± 3%	37%	style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 47%	5%	—	11%
Rasmussen Reports	October 9, 2012	500	± 4.5%	38%	style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 52%	—	—	10%
Gravis Marketing	October 6–8, 2012	1,325	± 2.9%	33%	style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 50%	—	—	17%
Rasmussen Reports	October 2, 2012	500	± 4.5%	38%	style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 54%	—	1%	7%
Survey USA	September 29 – October 1, 2012	573	± 4.2%	39%	style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 51%	3%	—	7%
Public Policy Polling	September 27–30, 2012	981	± 3.1%	37%	style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 47%	5%	—	10%
WSJ/NBC News/Marist	September 23–25, 2012	1,035	± 3.4%	39%	style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 52%	—	—	8%
Civitas	September 18–19, 2012	600	± 4%	38%	style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 49%	3%	—	10%
Rasmussen Reports	September 13, 2012	500	± 3.4%	38%	style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 51%	1%	—	10%
Survey USA/Civitas	September 4–6, 2012	500	± 3.4%	39%	style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 55%	4%	—	29%
Public Policy Polling	August 31 – September 2, 2012	1,012	± 3.4%	39%	style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 45%	5%	—	10%
Elon Univ./Charlotte Observer	August 25–30, 2012	1,089	± 3.4%	37%	style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 52%	—	—	11%
Public Policy Polling	August 2–5, 2012	813	± 3.4%	38%	style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 45%	7%	—	11%
Rasmussen Reports	July 27, 2012	500	± 4.5%	41%	style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 46%	—	3%	10%
Civitas	July 16–18, 2012	600	± 4%	37%	style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 47%	6%	—	4%
Public Policy Polling	July 5–8, 2012	775	± 3.5%	36%	style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 43%	9%	—	12%
Survey USA	June 29 – July 1, 2012	558	± 4.2%	44%	style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 46%	7%	—	3%
Rasmussen Reports	June 25, 2012	500	± 4.5%	35%	style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 49%	—	4%	12%
NBC News/Marist	June 24–25, 2012	1,019	± 3.1%	41%	style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 43%	—	—	17%
Public Policy Polling	June 7–10, 2012	810	± 3.4%	40%	style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 47%	—	—	13%
Survey USA	May 18–21, 2012	524	± 4.4%	39%	style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 44%	7%	—	10%
Civitas	May 19–20, 2012	600	± 4%	38%	style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 48%	—	—	12%
Rasmussen Reports	May 14, 2012	500	± 4.5%	41%	style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 50%	—	1%	8%
Public Policy Polling	May 10–13, 2012	666	± 3.8%	40%	style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 46%	—	—	13%
Rasmussen Reports	April 10, 2012	500	± 4.5%	36%	style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 45%	—	5%	14%
Public Policy Polling	March 8–11, 2012	804	± 3.5%	35%	style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 46%	—	—	19%
Civitas	February 27–28, 2012	600	± 4%	29%	style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 49%	—	—	22%
Public Policy Polling	January 27–29, 2012	554	± 4.2%	35%	style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 50%	—	—	15%
Public Policy Polling	September 30 – October 3, 2011	760	± 3.6%	32%	style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 46%	—	—	23%
Public Policy Polling	March 17–20, 2011	584	± 4.1%	27%	style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 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	December 1–4, 2011	392	± 5.0%	23%	style="color:black;background-color:Template:Democratic Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 55%	—	23%
Public Policy Polling	September 30 – October 3, 2011	353	± 3.6%	18%	style="color:black;background-color:Template:Democratic Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 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%	style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 61%	—	—	29%
				—	style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 51%	15%	—	34%
				10%	style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 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%	style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 49%	—	19%
Public Policy Polling	March 17–20, 2011	584	± 4.1%	28%	style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 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%	style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 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%	style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 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%	style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 42%	—	19%
Public Policy Polling	March 17–20, 2011	584	± 4.1%	35%	style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 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%	style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 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%	style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 46%	—	18%
Public Policy Polling	January 27–29, 2012	554	± 4.2%	35%	style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 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%	style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 50%	—	19%
Public Policy Polling	January 5–8, 2012	780	± 3.5%	27%	style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 47%	—	26%
Public Policy Polling	December 1–4, 2011	865	± 3.3%	26%	style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 47%	—	26%
Public Policy Polling	September 30 – October 3, 2011	760	± 3.6%	30%	style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 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%	style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 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%	style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 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%	style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 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%	style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 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%	style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 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%	style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 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%	style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 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%	style="color:black;background-color:Template:Democratic Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 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%	style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 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%	style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 52%	—	7%
Public Policy Polling	December 1–4, 2011	865	± 3.3%	40%	style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 50%	—	10%
Public Policy Polling	October 27–31, 2011	615	± 4.0%	39%	style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 48%	—	13%
Public Policy Polling	September 30 – October 3, 2011	760	± 3.6%	42%	style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 47%	—	10%
Public Policy Polling	September 1–4, 2011	520	± 4.3%	41%	style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 45%	—	14%
Public Policy Polling	August 4–7, 2011	780	± 3.5%	39%	style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 47%	—	14%
Civitas Institute	July 12–13, 2011	600	± 4.0%	35%	style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 55%	—	8%
Public Policy Polling	July 7–10, 2011	651	± 3.8%	39%	style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 47%	—	14%
Public Policy Polling	June 8–11, 2011	563	± 4.1%	39%	style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 45%	—	16%
Public Policy Polling	May 12–15, 2011	835	± 3.4%	39%	style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 46%	—	15%
Public Policy Polling	April 14–17, 2011	507	± 4.4%	38%	style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 49%	—	13%
Survey USA	April 14–15, 2011	500	± 4.5%	39%	style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 51%	5%	4%
Public Policy Polling	March 17–20, 2011	584	± 4.1%	36%	style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 50%	—	14%
Public Policy Polling	February 16–21, 2011	650	± 3.8%	37%	style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 49%	—	15%
Public Policy Polling	January 20–23, 2011	575	± 4.1%	40%	style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 47%	—	14%
Civitas Institute	December 15–16, 2010	600	± 4.0%	36%	style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 51%	—	12%
Public Policy Polling	November 19–21, 2010	517	± 4.3%	37%	style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 49%	—	14%
Civitas Institute	June 15–18, 2010	600	± 4.0%	37%	style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 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%	style="color:black;background-color:Template:Democratic Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 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%	style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading" align=center| 48%	—	21%

Results

File:Pat McCrory election night.jpg

Pat McCrory celebrating his election victory

Template:Election box write-in with party link

2012 North Carolina gubernatorial election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
		Pat McCrory	Template:Replace	54.62%
		Walter H. Dalton	1,931,580	43.23%
		Barbara Howe	94,652	2.12%
Total votes			4,468,295	100.00%	N/A
	gain from

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.

District	McCrory	Dalton	Representative
style="color:black;background-color:Template:Democratic Party (US)/meta/shading"|Template:Ushr	29.35%	69.26%	style="color:black;background-color:Template:Democratic Party (US)/meta/shading"|G. K. Butterfield
style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading"|Template:Ushr	60.13%	37.63%	style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading"|Renee Ellmers
style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading"|Template:Ushr	59.34%	38.22%	style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading"|Walter B. Jones Jr.
style="color:black;background-color:Template:Democratic Party (US)/meta/shading"|Template:Ushr	31.29%	65.74%	style="color:black;background-color:Template:Democratic Party (US)/meta/shading"|David Price
style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading"|Template:Ushr	63.66%	34.12%	style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading"|Virginia Foxx
style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading"|Template:Ushr	61.21%	36.51%	style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading"|Howard Coble
style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading"|Template:Ushr	61.37%	36.63%	style="color:black;background-color:Template:Democratic Party (US)/meta/shading"|Mike McIntyre
rowspan=2 style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading"|Template:Ushr	62.7%	35.59%	style="color:black;background-color:Template:Democratic Party (US)/meta/shading"|Larry Kissell
style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading"|Richard Hudson
rowspan=2 style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading"|Template:Ushr	67.81%	30.47%	style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading"|Sue Myrick
style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading"|Robert Pittenger
style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading"|Template:Ushr	61.68%	36.3%	style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading"|Patrick McHenry
rowspan=2 style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading"|Template:Ushr	63.14%	34.18%	style="color:black;background-color:Template:Democratic Party (US)/meta/shading"|Heath Shuler
style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading"|Mark Meadows
style="color:black;background-color:Template:Democratic Party (US)/meta/shading"|Template:Ushr	26.85%	71.37%	style="color:black;background-color:Template:Democratic Party (US)/meta/shading"|Mel Watt
rowspan=2 style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading"|Template:Ushr	59.34%	38.49%	style="color:black;background-color:Template:Democratic Party (US)/meta/shading"|Brad Miller
style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading"|George Holding

See also

• 2012 North Carolina lieutenant gubernatorial election
• 2012 United States gubernatorial elections

External links

• North Carolina State Board of Elections

Official campaign websites

• Walter H. Dalton for Governor
• Barbara Howe for Governor
• Pat McCrory for Governor