North Carolina State Senate elections, 2012
Elections for the office of North Carolina State Senate were held in North Carolina on November 6, 2012. A total of 50 seats were up for election.
The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in these elections was February 29, 2012. The primary Election Day was May 8, 2012. The primary runoff took place on July 17, 2012.
Majority control
- See also: Partisan composition of state senates
Heading into the November 6 election, the Republican Party held the majority in the North Carolina State Senate:
| North Carolina State Senate | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | As of November 5, 2012 | After the 2012 Election | |
| Democratic Party | 19 | 18 | |
| Republican Party | 31 | 32 | |
| Total | 50 | 50 | |
Incumbents retiring
A total of 11 incumbents did not run for re-election in 2012. Those incumbents were:
| Name | Party | Current Office |
|---|---|---|
| Bob Atwater |  Democratic |
Senate District 18 |
| Charlie Smith Dannelly | Democratic |
Senate District 38 |
| David Rouzer |  Republican |
Senate District 12 |
| Donald Vaughan | Democratic |
Senate District 27 |
| Eric Mansfield | Democratic |
Senate District 21 |
| Harris Blake | Republican |
Senate District 22 |
| Jean Preston | Republican |
Senate District 2 |
| Linda Garrou | Democratic |
Senate District 32 |
| Richard Stevens | Republican |
Senate District 17 |
| Wes Westmoreland | Republican |
Senate District 46 |
| William R. Purcell | Democratic |
Senate District 25 |
Campaign contributions
This chart shows how many candidates ran for state senate in North Carolina in past years and the cumulative amount of campaign contributions in state senate races, including contributions in both primary and general election contests. All figures come from Follow The Money.[1]
| Year | Number of candidates | Total contributions |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 129 | $15,133,676 |
| 2010 | 137 | $18,614,595 |
| 2008 | 115 | $15,991,201 |
| 2006 | 99 | $14,697,182 |
| 2004 | 137 | $13,819,791 |
| 2002 | 172 | $12,996,012 |
| 2000 | 111 | $9,180,706 |
During the 2012 election, the total contributions to the 129 Senate candidates was $15,133,676. The top 10 contributors were:[2]
| 2012 Donors, North Carolina State Senate | |
|---|---|
| Donor | Amount |
| North Carolina Republican Party | $2,872,503 |
| North Carolina Democratic Party | $301,275 |
| Randy Ramsey | $257,908 |
| Nationwide | $138,000 |
| NC State Democratic Caucus | $135,584 |
| North Carolina Medical Society | $112,250 |
| North Carolina Hospital Association | $106,250 |
| North Carolina Association of Realtors | $105,750 |
| North Carolina Farm Bureau | $103,200 |
| North Carolina Republican Senate Caucus | $97,735 |
Impact of redistricting
- See also: Redistricting in North Carolina
The Republican-controlled General Assembly approved the final redistricting maps on July 27, 2011. The Department of Justice pre-cleared the maps as specified under the Voting Rights Act, and the maps were in effect for the 2012 elections. Later, on August 11, 2016, a federal court ruled that the redistricting plan violated the Voting Rights Act, and 9 state Senate districts were improperly drawn on the basis of race.[3]
Using a method developed by Charlie Cook, Catawba College Professor Michael Bitzer calculated the partisan leanings of the finalized districts. Using the presidential vote in 2004 and 2008, he divided seats into "likely," "lean," and "toss-up." In the State Senate, Bitzer identified 14 districts that were "likely" wins for Democrats, and 14 that were "likely" wins for Republicans. He identified 17 seats that leaned Republican and two seats leaned Democrat. Three seats were considered "toss-ups".[4]
Qualifications
Article 2, Section 6 of the North Carolina Constitution states: Each Senator, at the time of his election, shall be not less than 25 years of age, shall be a qualified voter of the State, and shall have resided in the State as a citizen for two years and in the district for which he is chosen for one year immediately preceding his election.
List of candidates
District 1
May 8 Democratic primary:
- Stan M. White
Incumbent White first assumed office in 2011.
- Stan M. White
May 8 GOP primary:
- Jerry Evans 4,855
- Bill Cook 8,243
November 6 General election candidates:
- Stan M. White: 43,714
- Bill Cook: 43,735
District 2
Note: Incumbent Jean Preston (R) did not seek re-election.
- May 8 Democratic primary:
- May 8 GOP primary:
- Ken Jones 3,446
- Randy Ramsey 6,819
- Norman Sanderson, Jr. 11,057
November 6 General election candidates:
- Greg Muse: 31,479
- Norman Sanderson, Jr.: 53,873
District 3
- May 8 Democratic primary:
- Clark Jenkins 19,694 - Incumbent Jenkins first assumed office in 2003.
- Florence Arnold Armstrong 9,500
- Clark Jenkins 19,694
- May 8 GOP primary:
- No candidates have filed for this district.
November 6 General election candidates:
- Clark Jenkins: 65,851
District 4
- May 8 Democratic primary:
- Ed Jones Incumbent Jones first assumed office in 2007.
- Ed Jones
- May 8 GOP primary:
November 6 General election candidates:
- Ed Jones: 63,666
- Warren Scott Nail: 24,363
District 5
- May 8 Democratic primary:
- Donald Davis
- Note: Tony Moore filed for election, but was later removed from the ballot.
- Donald Davis
- May 8 GOP primary:
- No candidates have filed for this district.
November 6 General election candidates:
- Donald Davis: 59,648
District 6
- May 8 Democratic primary:
- No candidates have filed for this district.
- May 8 GOP primary:
- Harry Brown Incumbent Brown first assumed office in 2005.
- Harry Brown
November 6 General election candidates:
- Harry Brown: 38,572
District 7
- May 8 Democratic primary:
- No candidates have filed for this district.
- May 8 GOP primary:
- Louis M. Pate, Jr. Incumbent Pate first assumed office in 2011.
- Louis M. Pate, Jr.
November 6 General election candidates:
- Louis M. Pate, Jr.: 60,120
District 8
- May 8 Democratic primary:
- May 8 GOP primary:
- Bill Rabon Incumbent Rabon first assumed office in 2011.
- Bill Rabon
November 6 General election candidates:
- Danny Hefner: 39,919
- Bill Rabon: 58,282
District 9
- May 8 Democratic primary:
- May 8 GOP primary:
- Thom Goolsby Incumbent Goolsby first assumed office in 2011.
- Thom Goolsby
November 6 General election candidates:
- Deb Butler: 44,817
- Thom Goolsby: 52,955
District 10
- May 8 Democratic primary:
- No candidates have filed for this district.
- May 8 GOP primary:
- Brent Jackson 12,380 Incumbent Jackson first assumed office in 2011.
- Mike Osborne 4,228
- Brent Jackson 12,380
November 6 General election candidates:
- Brent Jackson: 48,772
District 11
- May 8 Democratic primary:
- May 8 GOP primary:
- Buck Newton 14,344 Incumbent Newton first assumed office in 2011.
- Dennis Nielsen 3,477
- Buck Newton 14,344
November 6 General election candidates:
- Clarence A. Bender: 34,291
- Buck Newton: 53,127
District 12
Note: Incumbent David Rouzer (R) did not seek re-election. Instead, he ran for to the U.S. House.
- May 8 Democratic primary:
- Brad Salmon 8,354
- James Clark 5,449
- Brad Salmon 8,354
- May 8 GOP primary:
- Donald S. Davis 5,709 Advanced to runoff
- Daniel Glover 1,983
- Tim McNeill 3,173
- Ronald Rabin 4,195 Advanced to runoff
- July 17 Republican primary runoff:
November 6 General election candidates:
- Brad Salmon: 36,337
- Ronald Rabin: 37,809
District 13
- May 8 Democratic primary:
- Michael Walters Incumbent Walters first assumed office in 2009.
- Michael Walters
- May 8 GOP primary:
November 6 General election candidates:
- Michael Walters: 46,974
- W. Bernard White, Jr.: 17,770
District 14
- May 8 Democratic primary:
- Dan Blue, Jr. Incumbent Blue first assumed office in 2009.
- Dan Blue, Jr.
- May 8 GOP primary:
- No candidates have filed for this district.
November 6 General election candidates:
- Dan Blue, Jr.: 72,652
District 15
- May 8 Democratic primary:
- May 8 GOP primary:
- Neal Hunt Incumbent Hunt first assumed office in 2005.
- Neal Hunt
November 6 General election candidates:
- Sig Hutchinson: 40,050
- Neal Hunt: 61,981
District 16
- May 8 Democratic primary:
- Josh Stein Incumbent Stein first assumed office in 2009.
- Josh Stein
- May 8 GOP primary:
- No candidates have filed for this district.
November 6 General election candidates:
- Josh Stein: 69,405
District 17
Note: Incumbent Richard Stevens (R) did not seek re-election.
- May 8 Democratic primary:
- May 8 GOP primary:
November 6 General election candidates:
- Erv Portman: 49,298
- Tamara Barringer: 57,101
District 18
Note: Incumbent Bob Atwater (D) did not seek re-election.
- May 8 Democratic primary:
- Doug Berger Incumbent Berger first assumed office in 2005.
- Doug Berger
- May 8 GOP primary:
- Michael Schriver 8,028
- Chad Barefoot 9,149
- Glen Bradley 2,750
November 6 General election candidates:
- Doug Berger: 40,897
- Chad Barefoot: 51,873
District 19
- May 8 Democratic primary:
- May 8 GOP primary:
- Wesley Meredith Incumbent Meredith first assumed office in 2011.
- Wesley Meredith
November 6 General election candidates:
- George Tatum: 31,936
- Wesley Meredith: 37,308
District 20
- May 8 Democratic primary:
- Ralph McKinney 5,225
- Floyd B. McKissick, Jr. 24,208 - Incumbent McKissick first assumed office in 2007.
- May 8 GOP primary:
- No candidates have filed for this district.
November 6 General election candidates:
- Floyd B. McKissick, Jr.: 75,673
District 21
Note: Incumbent Eric Mansfield (D) did not seek re-election. Instead he ran for Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina.
- May 8 Democratic primary:
- Billy R. King 4,353 Advanced to runoff
- Larry Shaw 3,523
- Eronomy Smith 523
- Allen Thomas, Jr. 2,489
- Curtis Worthy 3,385
- Robert B. Clark III 3,525 Advanced to runoff
- July 17 Democratic primary runoff:
- May 8 GOP primary:
- No candidates have filed for this district.
November 6 General election candidates:
- Robert B. Clark III: 57,805
District 22
Note: Incumbent Harris Blake (R) did not seek re-election.
- May 8 Democratic primary:
- Kerry Sutton 10,621
- Mike Woodard 22,356
- May 8 GOP primary:
November 6 General election candidates:
- Mike Woodard: 67,484
- Milton Holmes: 35,730
District 23
- May 8 Democratic primary:
- Ellie Kinnaird Incumbent Kinnaird first assumed office in 1997.
- Ellie Kinnaird
- May 8 GOP primary:
November 6 General election candidates:
- Ellie Kinnaird: 71,919
- Dave Carter: 35,467
District 24
- May 8 Democratic primary:
- No candidates have filed for this district.
- May 8 GOP primary:
- Rick Gunn Incumbent Gunn first assumed office in 2011.
- Rick Gunn
May 8 Libertarian primary:
November 6 General election candidates:
- Brandon Black: 13,605
- Rick Gunn: 51,230
District 25
Note: Incumbent William R. Purcell (D) did not seek re-election.
- May 8 Democratic primary:
- Gene McLaurin 15,532
- Daniel Wilson 5,471
- Gene McLaurin 15,532
- May 8 GOP primary:
- Gene McIntyre 11,680
- Jack T. Benoy 4,417
- Gene McIntyre 11,680
November 6 General election candidates:
- Gene McLaurin: 44,560
- Gene McIntyre: 39,506
District 26
- May 8 Democratic primary:
- May 8 GOP primary:
- Philip E. Berger 19,414 Incumbent Berger first assumed office in 2001.
- Bobby Coffer 2,874
- Philip E. Berger 19,414
November 6 General election candidates:
- Bobby R. Stanley: 37,092
- Philip E. Berger: 58,276
District 27
Note: Incumbent Donald Vaughan (D) did not seek re-election.
- May 8 Democratic primary:
- Note: Dan Miller appeared on initial lists but was not on the final primary ballot.
- May 8 GOP primary:
- Sal Leone 506
- Trudy Wade 13,272
- Latimer B. Alexander IV 2,472
- Justin C. Conrad 8,367
November 6 General election candidates:
- Myra Slone: 41,870
- Trudy Wade: 56,865
District 28
- May 8 Democratic primary:
- Bruce Davis 6,437
- Gladys A. Robinson 16,516 - Incumbent Robinson first assumed office in 2011.
- May 8 GOP primary:
- No candidates have filed for this district.
November 6 General election candidates:
- Gladys A. Robinson: 80,689
District 29
- May 8 Democratic primary:
- No candidates have filed for this district.
- May 8 GOP primary:
- Tommy Davis 4,266
- Jerry W. Tillman 18,285 Incumbent Tillman first assumed office in 2003.
- John Marcum 4,699
November 6 General election candidates:
- Jerry W. Tillman: 65,000
District 30
- May 8 Democratic primary:
- May 8 GOP primary:
- Don W. East Incumbent East first assumed office in 2005.
- Don W. East
November 6 General election candidates:
- Ric Marshall: 27,416
- Don W. East: 49,417 East passed away in October 2012, but his name still appeared on the ballot. However, he was replaced by Shirley Randleman, with any votes cast for East going to Randleman.[5]
District 31
- May 8 Democratic primary:
- May 8 GOP primary:
- Peter Samuel Brunstetter Incumbent Brunstetter first assumed office in 2006.
- Peter Samuel Brunstetter
November 6 General election candidates:
- Delmas Parker: 32,298
- Peter Samuel Brunstetter: 71,806
District 32
Note: Incumbent Linda Garrou (D) did not seek re-election.
- May 8 Democratic primary:
- Earline W. Parmon 10,858
- Wilbert S. Banks 785
- Earline W. Parmon 10,858
- May 8 GOP primary:
November 6 General election candidates:
- Earline W. Parmon: 57,803
- Reginald Reid: 21,387
District 33
- May 8 Democratic primary:
- No candidates have filed for this district.
- May 8 GOP primary:
- Eddie Gallimore 8,630
- Stan Bingham 9,135 Incumbent Bingham first assumed office in 2001.
- Sam Watford 4,823
November 6 General election candidates:
- Stan Bingham: 61,664
District 34
- May 8 Democratic primary:
- No candidates have filed for this district.
- May 8 GOP primary:
- Andrew C. Brock Incumbent Brock first assumed office in 2003.
- Andrew C. Brock
November 6 General election candidates:
- Andrew C. Brock: 62,728
District 35
- May 8 Democratic primary:
- No candidates have filed for this district.
- May 8 GOP primary:
- Wyatt Tucker Incumbent Tucker first assumed office in 2011.
- Wyatt Tucker
November 6 General election candidates:
- Wyatt Tucker: 62,213
District 36
- May 8 Democratic primary:
- No candidates have filed for this district.
- May 8 GOP primary:
- Fletcher L. Hartsell, Jr. Incumbent Hartsell first assumed office in 1991.
- Fletcher L. Hartsell, Jr.
November 6 General election candidates:
- Fletcher L. Hartsell, Jr.: 60,957
District 37
- May 8 Democratic primary:
- Daniel Clodfelter Incumbent Clodfelter first assumed office in 1999.
- Daniel Clodfelter
- May 8 GOP primary:
November 6 General election candidates:
- Daniel Clodfelter: 51,376
- Michael Alan Vadini: 25,325
District 38
Note: Incumbent Charlie Dannelly (D) initially declared for re-election but he withdrew prior to the primary.
- May 8 Democratic primary:
- Joel Ford 7,877
- Jamison Lawson 2,658
- Charlie Dannelly 4,569 (dropped out but on ballot)
- Joel Ford 7,877
- May 8 GOP primary:
- Richard Rivette 2,283
- James Soder 1,600
- Richard Rivette 2,283
November 6 General election candidates:
- Joel Ford: 65,715
- Richard Rivette: 16,214
District 39
- May 8 Democratic primary:
- May 8 GOP primary:
- Bob Rucho Incumbent Rucho first assumed office in 2008.
- Bob Rucho
November 6 General election candidates:
- Jack Flynn: 38,025
- Bob Rucho: 61,006
District 40
- May 8 Democratic primary:
- Malcolm Graham Incumbent Graham first assumed office in 2005.
- Malcolm Graham
- May 8 GOP primary:
November 6 General election candidates:
- Malcolm Graham: 63,925
- Earl Lyndon Philip: 12,075
District 41
- May 8 Democratic primary:
- No candidates have filed for this district.
- May 8 GOP primary:
- Troy Stafford 1,837
- Jeff Tarte 6,423 Advanced to runoff
- John Aneralla 6,193 Advanced to runoff
- Robby Benton 1,423
- Donald L. Copeland, Sr. 1,194
- July 17 Republican primary runoff:
November 6 General election candidates:
- Jeff Tarte: 64,153
District 42
- May 8 Democratic primary:
- Bivins Hollar 3,505
- Joseph Inglefield 7,166
- May 8 GOP primary:
- Austin Allran Incumbent Allran first assumed office in 1987.
- Austin Allran
November 6 General election candidates:
- Joseph Inglefield: 29,757
- Austin Allran: 54,128
District 43
- May 8 Democratic primary:
- No candidates have filed for this district.
- May 8 GOP primary:
- Kathy Harrington Incumbent Harrington first assumed office in 2011.
- Kathy Harrington
November 6 General election candidates:
- Kathy Harrington: 57,752
District 44
- May 8 Democratic primary:
- May 8 GOP primary:
- Karen Ray 7,809
- Chris Carney 8,865 Advanced to runoff Incumbent Carney first assumed office in 2011.
- David Curtis 8,613 Advanced to runoff
- July 17 Republican primary runoff:
November 6 General election candidates:
- Ross Bulla: 31,197
- David Curtis: 60,167
District 45
- May 8 Democratic primary:
- May 8 GOP primary:
- Dan Soucek 17,384 Incumbent Soucek first assumed office in 2011.
- George S. Robinson 9,186
- Dan Soucek 17,384
November 6 General election candidates:
- Roy J. Carter: 32,913
- Dan Soucek: 50,848
District 46
Note: Incumbent Wes Westmoreland (R) did not seek re-election.
- May 8 Democratic primary:
- May 8 GOP primary:
- Warren Daniel Incumbent Daniel first assumed office in 2011.
- Warren Daniel
- May 8 Libertarian primary:
November 6 General election candidates:
- John T. McDevitt: 32,409
- Warren Daniel: 43,904
- Richard C. Evey: 2,144
District 47
- May 8 Democratic primary:
- May 8 GOP primary:
- Ralph Hise Incumbent Hise first assumed office in 2011.
- Ralph Hise
November 6 General election candidates:
- Phil Feagan: 35,799
- Ralph Hise: 46,415
District 48
- May 8 Democratic primary:
- No candidates have filed for this district.
- May 8 GOP primary:
- Tom Apodaca 18,950 Incumbent Apodaca first assumed office in 2003.
- Fremont V. Brown III 7,039
- Tom Apodaca 18,950
November 6 General election candidates:
- Tom Apodaca: 62,736
District 49
- May 8 Democratic primary:
- Martin L. Nesbitt Incumbent Nesbitt first assumed office in 2005.
- Martin L. Nesbitt
- May 8 GOP primary:
- R.L. Clark 11,927
- Chancellor Von Henner 2,791
- R.L. Clark 11,927
November 6 General election candidates:
- Martin L. Nesbitt: 61,826
- R.L. Clark: 37,953
District 50
- May 8 Democratic primary:
- May 8 GOP primary:
- Jim Davis Incumbent Davis first assumed office in 2011.
- Jim Davis
November 6 General election candidates:
See also
External links
- North Carolina State Board of Elections, Official Primary Election Results
- North Carolina State Board of Elections, 2012 General Election Official Candidate List
- North Carolina State Board of Elections, Official General Election Results
Footnotes
- ↑ Follow the Money, North Carolina
- ↑ Follow the Money, "North Carolina State Senate 2012 Campaign Contributions"
- ↑ All About Redistricting, North Carolina
- ↑ Salisbury, "The impact of redistricting on N.C. legislative seats," July 31, 2011
- ↑ Winston-Salem Journal, "Randleman tapped to replace East on ticket," November 5, 2012
