2012 Washington gubernatorial election

Last updated

2012 Washington gubernatorial election
Flag of Washington.svg
←  2008 November 6, 2012 (2012-11-06) 2016  →
  Jay Inslee Official Photo (cropped).jpg Rob McKenna; Washington AG (cropped).jpg
Nominee Jay Inslee Rob McKenna
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote1,582,8021,488,245
Percentage51.4%48.3%
2012 Washington gubernatorial election results map by county.svg
2012 Washington gubernatorial election by Congressional District.svg
WA Governor 2012.svg
Inslee:      50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90%     >90%
McKenna:      50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90%     >90%
Tie:      50%     No votes
Governor before election

Christine Gregoire
Democratic

Elected Governor

Jay Inslee
Democratic

The 2012 Washington gubernatorial election took place on November 6, 2012. [1] Candidates in the election were chosen in an August 7, 2012 [2] primary election, under the state's nonpartisan blanket primary system, which allows voters to vote for any candidate running in the race, regardless of party affiliation. The two candidates who received the most votes in the primary election qualified for the general election. [3]

Contents

Incumbent Governor Christine Gregoire decided to retire rather than seek a third term. [4] She endorsed fellow Democrat Jay Inslee, a U.S. Congressman, as her successor. On March 20, 2012, Inslee resigned from Congress in order to focus on his gubernatorial campaign. [5]

Inslee and Republican Rob McKenna, the Attorney General of Washington, advanced to the general election. Inslee narrowly won the election, and McKenna conceded three days later. [6]

Primary election

Democratic candidates

Declined

Republican candidates

Declined

Independent candidates

Polling

Hypothetical polling
Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size [lower-alpha 1] 		Margin
of error		Rob
McKenna (R)		Jay
Inslee (D)		Lisa
Brown (D)		Dow
Constantine (D)		Clint
Didier (R)		Bill
Bryant (R)		Brian
Sonntag (D)		Aaron
Reardon (D)		Undecided
Chism Strategies Archived 2011-09-15 at the Wayback Machine June 28–30, 2011408 (LV)± 5.0%20%17%3%3%3%2%2%1%49%

Results

Results by county: .mw-parser-output .legend{page-break-inside:avoid;break-inside:avoid-column}.mw-parser-output .legend-color{display:inline-block;min-width:1.25em;height:1.25em;line-height:1.25;margin:1px 0;text-align:center;border:1px solid black;background-color:transparent;color:black}.mw-parser-output .legend-text{} Inslee--40-50% Inslee--50-60% McKenna--40-50% McKenna--50-60% McKenna--60-70% 2012WAGOVprimary.svg
Results by county:
  Inslee—40–50%
  Inslee—50–60%
  McKenna—40–50%
  McKenna—50–60%
  McKenna—60–70%
Blanket primary results [19]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Jay Inslee 664,534 47.13
Republican Rob McKenna 604,872 42.90
Republican Shahram Hadian46,1693.27
Democratic Rob Hill45,4533.22
Independent James White13,7640.98
Independent Christian Joubert10,4570.74
Independent L. Dale Sorgen9,7340.69
Republican Max Sampson8,7530.62
Republican Javier O. Lopez6,1310.43
Total votes1,409,867 100.00

General election

Candidates

Debates

Predictions

SourceRankingAs of
The Cook Political Report [20] TossupNovember 1, 2012
Sabato's Crystal Ball [21] Lean DNovember 5, 2012
Rothenberg Political Report [22] Tilt DNovember 2, 2012
Real Clear Politics [23] TossupNovember 5, 2012

Endorsements

Jay Inslee (D)
U.S Presidents
Newspapers
Rob McKenna (R)
U.S. Representatives
Statewide officials
State legislators
Newspapers

Polling

Aggregate polls
Source of poll
aggregation		Dates
administered		Dates
updated		Jay
Inslee (D)		Rob
McKenna (R)		Other/Undecided
[lower-alpha 2] 		Margin
Real Clear Politics October 14 – November 3, 2012November 3, 201247.3%46.3%6.4%Inslee +1.0%
Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size		Margin of
error		Jay
Inslee (D)		Rob
McKenna (R)		Undecided
Public Policy Polling November 1–3, 2012932± 3.2%50%48%2%
KING5/SurveyUSA October 28–31, 2012555± 4.2%47%46%7%
KCTS 9/Washington Poll October 18–31, 2012632± 3.9%49%46%6%
Elway Poll October 18–21, 2012451± 4.5%45%47%10%
Strategies360 October 17–20, 2012500± 4.4%45%45%10%
Public Policy Polling/WCV October 15–16, 2012574± n/a%48%42%10%
KCTS 9/Washington Poll October 1–16, 2012782± 3.5%48%45%8%
Rasmussen Reports October 14, 2012500± 4.5%47%45%9%
SurveyUSA October 12–14, 2012543± 4.3%47%44%9%
SurveyUSA September 28–30, 2012540± 4.3%48%42%10%
Rasmussen Reports September 26, 2012500± 4.5%46%45%9%
Public Elway Poll September 9–12, 2012405± 5%44%41%15%
Public Policy Polling September 7–9, 2012563± 4.2%48%42%10%
Survey USA September 7–9, 2012524± 4.4%49%44%7%
Survey USA August 2–3, 2012524± 4.4%48%45%7%
Elway Poll July 18–22, 2012405± 5.0%43%36%21%
Survey USA July 16–17, 2012630± 4.0%41%42%16%
Public Policy Polling June 14–17, 20121,073± 3.0%40%43%17%
Elway Poll June 13–16, 2012408± 5.0%40%42%18%
Strategies360 May 22–24, 2012500± 4.4%39%43%18%
Survey USA May 8–9, 2012557± 4.2%38%40%22%
Grove Insights (D) [upper-alpha 1] March 26–28, 2012500± 4.4%38%34%28%
Grove Insights (D) [upper-alpha 1] February 21–23, 2012500± 4.4%38%38%24%
Public Policy Polling February 16–19, 20121,264± 2.8%42%42%16%
Survey USA February 13–15, 2012572± 4.2%39%49%12%
Elway Poll February 7–9, 2012405± 5.0%36%45%19%
Survey USA January 12–16, 2012617± 4.0%43%46%11%
Survey USA November 21–23, 2011549± 4.3%38%44%17%
Washington Poll October 10–30, 2011938± 3.2%38%44%18%
Survey USA September 21–22, 2011529± 4.3%38%44%18%
Survey USA June 24–26, 2011600± 4.4%47%44%9%
Public Policy Polling May 12–15, 20111,098± 3.0%38%40%22%
Survey USA April 27–28, 2011610± 4.0%41%48%11%
Hypothetical polling
Christine Gregoire vs. Rob McKenna
Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size		Margin of
error		Christine
Gregoire (D)		Rob
McKenna (R)		Undecided
Public Policy Polling May 12–15, 20111,098± 3.0%40%49%11%
Survey USA April 27–28, 2011610± 4.0%40%52%7%
Christine Gregoire vs. Dave Reichert
Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size		Margin of
error		Christine
Gregoire (D)		Dave
Reichert (R)		Undecided
Public Policy Polling May 12–15, 20111,098± 3.0%45%41%14%
Survey USA April 27–28, 2011610± 4.0%44%48%8%
Jay Inslee vs. Dave Reichert
Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size		Margin of
error		Jay
Inslee (D)		Dave
Reichert (R)		Undecided
Public Policy Polling May 12–15, 20111,098± 3.0%42%36%22%
Survey USA April 27–28, 2011610± 4.0%44%46%10%
Lisa Brown vs. Rob McKenna
Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size		Margin of
error		Lisa
Brown (D)		Rob
McKenna (R)		Undecided
Public Policy Polling July 27-August 1, 20101,204± 2.8%29%47%24%

Results

The race was close throughout the night, with results too close to call after 60 percent of ballots were cast. [28] Inslee was declared the winner early in the morning three days later; McKenna conceded later in the evening. [29]

Inslee won only eight of the state's 39 counties, relying on heavy votes from the Seattle metropolitan area pushing him to victory. [30]

2012 Washington gubernatorial election [31]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Democratic Jay Inslee 1,582,802 51.40% -1.60%
Republican Rob McKenna 1,488,24548.33%+1.78%
Write-in 8,5920.28%-0.17%
Total votes3,079,639 100.00% N/A
Democratic hold

Results by county

County results
County [32] Jay Inslee

Democratic

Rob McKenna

Republican

Total votes
#%#%
Adams 1,40829.78%3,32070.22%4,728
Asotin 4,02741.5%5,67758.5%9,704
Benton 27,29134.97%50,75765.03%78,048
Chelan 11,61636.41%20,29163.59%31,907
Clallam 17,51646.66%20,02153.34%37,537
Clark 86,73246.92%98,13153.08%184,863
Columbia 65629.54%1,56570.46%2,221
Cowlitz 21,05148.21%22,61251.79%43,663
Douglas 4,74631.88%10,13968.12%14,885
Ferry 1,29937.98%2,12162.02%3,420
Franklin 8,18136.5%14,23263.5%22,413
Garfield 33326.58%92073.42%1,253
Grant 8,65431.59%18,74268.41%28,396
Grays Harbor 14,49150.9%13,97849.1%28,469
Island 19,32446.67%22,08253.33%41,406
Jefferson 12,17662.29%7,37037.71%19,546
King 590,87962.36%356,71337.64%947,592
Kitsap 60,57849.72%61,26150.28%121,839
Kittitas 7,13739.9%10,75260.1%17,889
Klickitat 4,44244.07%5,63855.93%10,090
Lewis 11,86535.03%22,00264.97%33,867
Lincoln 1,71629.57%4,08870.43%5,804
Mason 13,17547.25%14,70852.75%27,883
Okanogan 6,75940.55%9,90959.45%16,668
Pacific 5,37951.73%5,02048.27%10,399
Pend Oreille 2,44237.06%4,14862.94%6,590
Pierce 164,21148.54%174,07851.46%338,289
San Juan 6,76364.82%3,67135.18%10,434
Skagit 25,87847.33%28,80352.67%54,681
Skamania 2,43445.92%2,86754.08%5,301
Snohomish 166,45251.23%158,44048.77%324,892
Spokane 95,35443.49%123,89456.51%219,248
Stevens 7,42633.79%14,55466.21%21,980
Thurston 67,35353.75%57,94846.25%125,301
Wahkiakum 96442.83%1,28757.17%2,251
Walla Walla 9,35338.03%15,23861.97%24,591
Whatcom 53,59953.1%47,34046.9%100,939
Whitman 7,35141.67%9,42158.33%16,772
Yakima 31,79141.67%44,50758.33%76,298
Totals1,582,80251.54%1,488,24548.46%3,071,047

Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican

By congressional district

Inslee won 5 of 10 congressional districts with the remaining 5 going to McKenna, including one that elected a Democrat. [33]

DistrictInsleeMcKennaRepresentative
1st 48%52% Suzan DelBene
2nd 54%46% Rick Larsen
3rd 46%54% Jaime Herrera Beutler
4th 37%63% Doc Hastings
5th 42%58% Cathy McMorris Rodgers
6th 51%49% Norm Dicks
Derek Kilmer
7th 74%26% Jim McDermott
8th 43%57% Dave Reichert
9th 61%39% Adam Smith
10th 51%49% Denny Heck

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Key:
    A – all adults
    RV – registered voters
    LV – likely voters
    V – unclear
  2. ↑ Calculated by taking the difference of 100% and all other candidates combined.
Partisan clients
  1. 1 2 Poll sponsored by the Service Employees International Union, which supports Inslee

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jay Inslee</span> Governor of Washington since 2013

Jay Robert Inslee is an American politician, lawyer, and economist who has served as the 23rd governor of Washington since 2013. A member of the Democratic Party, he served as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1993 to 1995 and again from 1999 to 2012, and was a candidate for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination. He is the longest-serving current governor in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1996 Washington gubernatorial election</span>

The 1996 Washington gubernatorial election was held on November 5, 1996. Though eligible for a second term, incumbent governor Mike Lowry chose not to run for reelection due to allegations of sexual harassment. This gubernatorial race was especially significant in that it resulted in the first Asian American governor in the mainland United States, Democrat Gary Locke. Former U.S. Representative Jay Inslee would be elected in the gubernatorial election in 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tim Eyman</span> Anti-tax activist, businessman (born 1965)

Timothy Donald Eyman is an American anti-tax activist and businessman.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dino Rossi</span> American politician

Dino John Rossi is an American businessman and politician who served as a Washington State Senator thrice, from 1997 to 2003, in 2012, and again from 2016 to 2017. A Republican, he is a former chair of the Washington State Special Olympics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rob McKenna</span> 17th Attorney General of Washington

Robert Marion McKenna is an American lawyer and politician who served as the 17th attorney general of Washington from 2005 to 2013 after serving on the Metropolitan King County Council from 1996 to 2005. A member of the Republican Party, he ran for Governor of Washington in 2012, losing to Democrat Jay Inslee.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2006 United States House of Representatives elections in Washington</span> House elections for the 110th U.S. Congress

Elections were held in Washington state in 2006 for seats in the United States House of Representatives. Of the nine congressional districts, six were won by Democrats and three by Republicans, with the Democrats taking 64% of the vote.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Suzan DelBene</span> American politician (born 1962)

Suzan Kay DelBene is an American politician and businesswoman who has been the United States representative from Washington's 1st congressional district since 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2012 United States gubernatorial elections</span>

United States gubernatorial elections were held in 12 states and two territories. Of the eight Democratic and four Republican seats contested, only that of North Carolina changed party hands, giving the Republicans a net gain of one governorship. These elections coincided with the presidential election on November 6, 2012. As of 2024, this marked the last time in which a Democrat won the governorship in Missouri and the last time in which a Republican won the governorship in North Carolina.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Washington</span> House elections for the 113th U.S. Congress

The 2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Washington were held on Tuesday, November 6, 2012, to elect the ten U.S. representatives from the state, one from each of the state's ten congressional districts, a gain of one seat following the 2010 United States census. The elections coincided with the elections of other federal and state offices, including a quadrennial presidential election, and a U.S. Senate election. The state certified the returns on December 6, 2012. Primary elections were held August 7, 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2012 Washington Referendum 74</span>

Referendum 74 was a Washington state referendum to approve or reject the February 2012 bill that would legalize same-sex marriage in the state. On June 12, 2012, state officials announced that enough signatures in favor of the referendum had been submitted and scheduled the referendum to appear on the ballot in the November 6 general election. The law was upheld by voters in the November 6, 2012 election by a final margin of 7.4% and the result was certified on December 5.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steve Hobbs (Washington politician)</span> 16th Secretary of State of Washington

Steven Ryuma Hobbs is an American military officer and politician serving as the 16th Secretary of State of Washington since 2021. A member of the Democratic Party, he previously served as a member of the Washington State Senate, representing the 44th district from 2007 to 2021. In 2021, Governor Jay Inslee named Hobbs to succeed the departing Kim Wyman as Secretary of State of Washington; he is the first Democrat in the state to serve in the position since Victor Aloysius Meyers left it in 1965.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2012 Washington elections</span>

Elections held in the state of Washington on November 6, 2012. A nonpartisan blanket primary was held on August 7, 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016 United States Senate election in Washington</span>

The 2016 United States Senate election in Washington was held November 8, 2016, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the State of Washington. Incumbent Democratic Senator Patty Murray ran for re-election to a fifth term, and won by a significant margin, winning 59% of the vote, to Republican Chris Vance's 41%.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016 Washington gubernatorial election</span>

The 2016 Washington gubernatorial election was held on November 8, 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016 Washington Secretary of State election</span> 2016 election in Washington state

The Washington Secretary of State election, 2016, was held on November 8, 2016. Incumbent Republican Kim Wyman won reelection over Democratic nominee Tina Podlodowski, the two having received the most votes in an August 2016 primary election.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 Washington gubernatorial election</span>

The 2020 Washington gubernatorial election was held on November 3, 2020. It followed a top-two primary held on August 4. Incumbent governor Jay Inslee, the Democratic candidate, defeated Loren Culp, the Republican candidate by a wide margin. Inslee, who was eligible to run for a third term due to the lack of gubernatorial term limits, initially launched a campaign for president of the United States in the 2020 election. When he dropped out of that race in August 2019 due to extremely low polling numbers, he announced he would seek a third term as governor. Several other Democratic political figures considered entering the race if Inslee did not run, including Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson; no other major Democratic candidates entered the race. Republican Loren Culp, the police chief of Republic, Washington, placed second in the top-two primary and advanced to the general election alongside Inslee.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 Washington lieutenant gubernatorial election</span> 2020 election in Washington state

The 2020 Washington lieutenant gubernatorial election was held on November 3, 2020, to elect the lieutenant governor of Washington concurrently with the 2020 Washington elections. The top-two primary was held on August 4, and Democrats Denny Heck and Marko Liias advanced to the general election, which Heck won.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2024 Washington gubernatorial election</span>

The 2024 Washington gubernatorial election will be held on November 5, 2024. The top-two primary will be held on August 6.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Washington Secretary of State special election</span>

The 2022 Washington Secretary of State special election was held on November 8, 2022. Incumbent Kim Wyman, a Republican, resigned from the office on November 19, 2021, to become the senior election security lead for the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency in the Biden administration's Department of Homeland Security. Washington governor Jay Inslee, a Democrat, announced he would appoint state senator Steve Hobbs as her replacement, the first Democrat to hold the office in more than fifty years.

References

  1. ↑ "Washington's 2012 elections". Balletopedia - The Encyclopedia of American Politics. Balletopedia. Archived from the original on May 8, 2017. Retrieved June 28, 2017.
  2. ↑ "RCW 29a.04.311: Primaries". apps.leg.wa.gov. Archived from the original on August 13, 2011. Retrieved July 2, 2011.
  3. ↑ Pages - Top 2 Primary Archived April 25, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  4. 1 2 Garber, Andrew (June 13, 2011). "2 terms and out for Gov. Chris Gregoire". The Seattle Times . Archived from the original on June 16, 2011. Retrieved June 13, 2011.
  5. ↑ Grygiel, Chris (March 10, 2012). "US Rep. Inslee to resign for Wash. gov. race". The News Tribune. Associated Press.[ dead link ]
  6. ↑ Brunner, Jim (November 10, 2012). "McKenna concedes; Inslee to be governor". The Seattle Times. Archived from the original on November 12, 2012. Retrieved November 11, 2012.
  7. ↑ "Inslee Announcement Prompts More Democratic Interest" Archived 2011-06-29 at the Wayback Machine , Roll Call Politics
  8. ↑ "Lisa Brown endorses Inslee" [ dead link ]
  9. ↑ "Inslee Running for Gov; Constantine Cheers Him on Facebook - PubliCola". 30 June 2011. Archived from the original on 30 June 2011. Retrieved 29 June 2011.
  10. ↑ 2012 races take shape - Elections - The Olympian [ dead link ]
  11. ↑ Haglund, Noah (October 19, 2011). "Aaron Reardon says he has no plans to run for governor or Congress". The Herald (Everett) . Archived from the original on October 22, 2011. Retrieved October 21, 2011.
  12. ↑ Sims Quits HUD Post, Hotline On Call Archived June 16, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  13. ↑ Garber, Andrew (July 5, 2011). "Brian Sonntag will not run for governor". The Seattle Times. Archived from the original on July 9, 2011. Retrieved July 5, 2011.
  14. ↑ "State auditor Brian Sonntag makes decision on governor's race-KING5.com Seattle". Archived from the original on July 28, 2011. Retrieved July 5, 2011.
  15. ↑ Cornfield, Jerry (August 9, 2011). "Everett pastor enters governor race". The Herald (Everett) . Archived from the original on August 10, 2012. Retrieved August 16, 2011.
  16. ↑ Brunner, Jim (June 8, 2011). "McKenna launches campaign for governor". The Seattle Times.
  17. 1 2 Connelly, Joel (June 8, 2011). "Reichert: I'll support McKenna for governor". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Archived from the original on June 10, 2011. Retrieved June 10, 2011.
  18. ↑ Rathbun, Andy (November 19, 2009). "Sultan man declares 2012 governor bid". The Herald (Everett) . Archived from the original on July 28, 2012. Retrieved October 12, 2011.
  19. ↑ "Governor". Archived from the original on November 12, 2012. Retrieved November 13, 2012.
  20. ↑ "2012 Governor Race Ratings for November 1, 2012". The Cook Political Report. Archived from the original on December 1, 2018. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
  21. ↑ "PROJECTION: OBAMA WILL LIKELY WIN SECOND TERM". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Archived from the original on December 1, 2018. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
  22. ↑ "2012 Gubernatorial Ratings". Gubernatorial Ratings. The Rothenberg Political Report. Archived from the original on December 1, 2018. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
  23. ↑ "2012 Elections Map - 2012 Governor Races". Real Clear Politics. Archived from the original on December 1, 2018. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
  24. ↑ "Obama Endorses Jay Inslee". The Stranger .
  25. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 "Updated: Gubernatorial newspaper endorsement tally: 12 recommend Rob McKenna, while Olympian gives Jay Inslee the nod". The Seattle Times . October 24, 2020.
  26. ↑ "The Stranger Election Control Board's Endorsements For the November 6, 2012, General Election". The Stranger . October 17, 2012.
  27. 1 2 3 "Democrats for McKenna (D4R) Launches". June 12, 2012.
  28. ↑ "Inslee vs. McKenna could drag on". The Seattle Times. November 6, 2012. Archived from the original on October 6, 2016. Retrieved August 25, 2016.
  29. ↑ Brunner, Jim (November 9, 2012). "McKenna concedes; Inslee to be governor". The Seattle Times. Archived from the original on October 6, 2016. Retrieved August 25, 2016.
  30. ↑ Johnson, Kirk (November 28, 2012). "In West's 'Democratopolis,' Winning an Election With Only 8 of 39 Counties". The New York Times . p. A22. Archived from the original on March 2, 2017. Retrieved August 25, 2016.
  31. ↑ "November 06, 2012 General Election Results: Governor". Washington State Secretary of State. November 27, 2012. Archived from the original on August 31, 2021. Retrieved August 25, 2016.
  32. ↑ "2012 Gubernatorial General Election Results". U.S. Election Atlas. November 6, 2012. Retrieved October 4, 2022.
  33. ↑ {{cite report |title=Results |url=https://www.sos.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2022-05/2012-general-data2.zip |website=sos.wa.gov
Official campaign websites
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.