Six down ballot state executive positions were up for election in the state of North Carolina in 2012. The primary was held on May 8, 2012, with the general election on November 6, 2012.

North Carolina Treasurer - Janet Cowell (D)
North Carolina State Auditor - Beth Wood (D)
North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction - June Atkinson (D)
North Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture - Steve Troxler (R)
North Carolina Commissioner of Insurance - Wayne Goodwin (D)
North Carolina Commissioner of Labor - Cherie Berry (R)

Treasurer

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	2012; State Executive Official Elections
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The North Carolina Treasurer election was held on November 6, 2012. Incumbent Janet Cowell (D) won re-election. She was first elected in 2008. Cowell defeated Ron Elmer in the May 8 Democratic primary and defeated Republican Steve Royal in the general election on November 6, 2012.

General

November 6 General election candidates:

Janet Cowell Incumbent

Steve Royal

North Carolina Treasurer General Election, 2012
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Janet Cowell Incumbent	53.8%	2,313,877
	Republican	Steve Royal	46.2%	1,984,827
Total Votes				4,298,704
Election results via NC State Board of Elections

Polls

2012 race for State Treasurer
Poll	Janet Cowell	Steve Royal	Margin of error	Sample size

Public Policy Polling October 29-31, 2012	46%	41%	+/-3.6	730
Public Policy Polling October 12-14, 2012	41%	36%	+/-3.0	1,084
National Research, Inc. September 18-19	46%	34%	+/-4.0	600
Public Policy Polling August 31–September 2	42%	38%	+/-3.1	1,012
Public Policy Polling June 7-10, 2012	34%	33%	+/-3.4	810
AVERAGES	41.8%	36.4%	+/-3.42	847.2
Note: The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted in this race. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to editor@ballotpedia.org.

Primary

The primary for Treasurer took place on May 8, 2012.

North Carolina Treasurer, Democratic Primary, 2012
Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Janet Cowell Incumbent	76.6%	630,151
Ron Elmer	23.4%	192,134
Total Votes		822,285
Election results via The North Carolina Board of Elections.

North Carolina Treasurer, Republican Primary, 2012
Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Steve Royal	57.7%	389,188
Frank Roche	42.3%	285,439
Total Votes		674,627
Election results via The North Carolina Board of Elections.

Polls

Democratic candidates for Treasurer
Poll	Janet Cowell	Ron Elmer	Margin of error	Sample size

Public Policy Polling April 20–April 22, 2012	38%	11%	+/-4.4	500
Public Policy Polling March 23-March 25, 2012	34%	12%	+/-4.36	505
Public Policy Polling February 29-March 1, 2012	32%	14%	+/-4.4	499
AVERAGES	34.67%	12.33%	+/-4.39	501.33
Note: The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted in this race. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to editor@ballotpedia.org.

Auditor

The North Carolina State Auditor election was held on November 6, 2012. The primary took place on May 8, 2012. Incumbent Beth Wood (D) won re-election. She was first elected in 2008 and was unopposed in the primary on May 8.

General

November 6 General election candidates:

Beth Wood Incumbent

Debra Goldman

North Carolina State Auditor General Election, 2012
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Beth Wood Incumbent	53.7%	2,299,541
	Republican	Debra Goldman	46.3%	1,981,539
Total Votes				4,281,080
Election results via NC State Board of Elections

Polls

2012 race for State Auditor
Poll	Beth Wood	Debra Goldman	Margin of error	Sample size

Public Policy Polling October 29-31, 2012	50%	38%	+/-3.6	730
Public Policy Polling (dead link) October 23-25, 2012	45%	38%	+/-3.3	880
Public Policy Polling October 12-14, 2012	40%	36%	+/-3.0	1,084
National Research, Inc. September 18-19	40%	34%	+/-4.0	600
Public Policy Polling August 31–September 2	40%	38%	+/-3.1	1,012
Public Policy Polling June 7-10, 2012	36%	36%	+/-3.4	810
AVERAGES	41.83%	36.67%	+/-3.4	852.67
Note: The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted in this race. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to editor@ballotpedia.org.

Primary

May 8 Democratic primary candidates:

Beth Wood a Incumbent

North Carolina Auditor, Republican Primary, 2012
Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Debra Goldman	34.4%	235,914
Greg Dority	23.8%	163,528
Fern Shubert	18.4%	126,215
Rudy Wright	15.6%	107,323
Joseph Hank DeBragga	7.8%	53,727
Total Votes		686,707

Superintendent of Public Instruction

The North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction election was held on November 6, 2012. Incumbent June Atkinson (D) won re-election. She was first elected in 2004 and was unopposed in the primary on May 8.

General

November 6 General election candidates:

June Atkinson Incumbent

John Tedesco

North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction General Election, 2012
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	June Atkinson Incumbent	54.2%	2,336,441
	Republican	John Tedesco	45.8%	1,971,049
Total Votes				4,307,490
Election results via NC State Board of Elections

Polls

North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction
Poll	June Atkinson	John Tedesco	Undecided	Margin of error	Sample size

Public Policy Polling (dead link) October 23-25, 2012	42%	40%	18%	+/-3.3	880
Public Policy Polling September 27-30	44%	34%	22%	+/-3.1	981
National Research, Inc. September 18-19	45%	35%	20%	+/-4.0	600
Public Policy Polling August 2-5, 2012	44%	37%	19%	+/-3.4	813
AVERAGES	43.75%	36.5%	19.75%	+/-3.45	818.5
Note: The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted in this race. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to editor@ballotpedia.org.

Primary

May 8 Democratic primary candidates:

June Atkinson a Incumbent

Note: State Rep. Rick Glazier filed to run for Superintendent, but withdrew his candidacy on February 28, 2012.^[1]

North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction, Republican Primary, 2012
Candidate	Vote %	Votes
John Tedesco	28.3%	195,352
Richard Alexander	24.3%	167,354
Mark Crawford	21.8%	150,404
Ray Martin	13.2%	90,889
David Scholl	12.4%	85,145
Total Votes		689,144
Election results via The North Carolina Board of Elections.

Additional reading

Stateline, "Should State Education Chiefs Be Elected?" October 23, 2012

Agriculture Commissioner

The North Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture election was held on November 6, 2012. Incumbent Steve Troxler (R) won re-election. He was first elected in 2004 and defeated Bill McManus in the Republican primary on May 8.

Troxler defeated Walter Smith (D) in the general election on November 6.

General

November 6 General election candidates:

Walter Smith

Steve Troxler Incumbent

North Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture General Election, 2012
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Walter Smith	46.8%	2,025,054
	Republican	Steve Troxler Incumbent	53.2%	2,303,586
Total Votes				4,328,640
Election results via NC State Board of Elections

Polls

2012 race for Agriculture Commissioner
Poll	Steve Troxler	Walter Smith	Margin of error	Sample size

Public Policy Polling October 29-31, 2012	48%	38%	+/-3.6	730
Public Policy Polling October 12-14, 2012	45%	35%	+/-3.0	1,084
National Research, Inc. September 18-19	45%	37%	+/-4.0	600
Public Policy Polling August 31–September 2	45%	35%	+/-3.1	1,012
Public Policy Polling June 7-10, 2012	45%	31%	+/-3.4	810
AVERAGES	45.6%	35.2%	+/-3.42	847.2
Note: The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted in this race. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to editor@ballotpedia.org.

Primary

North Carolina Agriculture Commissioner, Democratic Primary, 2012
Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Walter Smith	55.1%	424,287
Scott Bryant	44.9%	345,644
Total Votes		769,931
Election results via The North Carolina Board of Elections.

North Carolina Agriculture Commissioner, Republican Primary, 2012
Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Steve Troxler Incumbent	68.9%	532,664
Bill McManus	31.1%	239,920
Total Votes		772,584
Election results via The North Carolina Board of Elections.

Polls

Democratic candidates for Agriculture Commissioner
Poll	Scott Bryant	Walter Smith	Margin of error	Sample size

Public Policy Polling March 23-March 25, 2012	17%	12%	+/-4.36	505
Note: The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted in this race. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to editor@ballotpedia.org.

Insurance Commissioner

The North Carolina Commissioner of Insurance election was held on November 6, 2012. Incumbent Wayne Goodwin (D) won re-election. He was first elected in 2008 and was unopposed in the Democratic primary on May 8, 2012.

General

November 6 General election candidates:

Wayne Goodwin Incumbent

Mike Causey

North Carolina Commissioner of Insurance General Election, 2012
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Wayne Goodwin Incumbent	51.9%	2,226,344
	Republican	Mike Causey	48.1%	2,066,601
Total Votes				4,292,945
Election results via NC State Board of Elections

Polls

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner
Poll	Wayne Goodwin	Mike Causey	Undecided	Margin of error	Sample size

Public Policy Polling (dead link) October 23-25, 2012	45%	36%	19%	+/-3.3	880
Public Policy Polling September 27-30	41%	36%	23%	+/-3.1	981
National Research, Inc. September 18-19	41%	33%	26%	+/-4.0	600
Public Policy Polling August 2-5, 2012	40%	36%	24%	+/-3.4	813
AVERAGES	41.75%	35.25%	23%	+/-3.45	818.5
Note: The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted in this race. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to editor@ballotpedia.org.

Primary

May 8 Democratic primary candidates:

Wayne Goodwin a Incumbent

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner, Republican Primary, 2012
Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Richard Morgan	37%	258,935
Mike Causey	35.1%	245,430
James McCall	27.9%	195,348
Total Votes		699,713
Election results via The North Carolina Board of Elections.

Labor Commissioner

The North Carolina Commissioner of Labor election was held on November 6, 2012. Incumbent Cherie Berry (R) won re-election. She was first elected in 2000 and was unopposed in the primary on May 8, 2012.

General

November 6 General election candidates:

John C. Brooks

Cherie Berry Incumbent

North Carolina Commissioner of Labor General Election, 2012
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	John C. Brooks	46.7%	2,019,266
	Republican	Cherie Berry Incumbent	53.3%	2,300,500
Total Votes				4,319,766
Election results via NC State Board of Elections

Polls

North Carolina Commissioner of Labor
Poll	John Brooks	Cherie Berry	Undecided	Margin of error	Sample size

Public Policy Polling (dead link) October 23-25, 2012	37%	43%	19%	+/-3.3	880
Public Policy Polling September 27-30	37%	41%	22%	+/-3.1	981
National Research, Inc. September 18-19	39%	44%	17%	+/-4.0	600
Public Policy Polling August 2-5, 2012	34%	44%	22%	+/-3.4	813
AVERAGES	36.75%	43%	20%	+/-3.45	818.5
Note: The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted in this race. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to editor@ballotpedia.org.

Primary

The primary for Labor Commissioner took place on May 8, 2012.

North Carolina Labor Commissioner, Democratic Primary, 2012
Candidate	Vote %	Votes
John C. Brooks	37.1%	289,356
Marlowe Foster	33%	256,964
Ty Richardson	29.9%	232,730
Total Votes		779,050
Election results via The North Carolina Board of Elections.

May 8 GOP primary candidates:

Cherie Berry a Incumbent

Polls

Democratic candidates for Labor Commissioner
Poll	Ty Richardson	John Brooks	Marlowe Foster	Margin of error	Sample size

Public Policy Polling April 20–April 22, 2012	18%	18%	10%	+/-4.4	500
Public Policy Polling March 23-March 25, 2012	22%	18%	8%	+/-4.36	505
Public Policy Polling February 29-March 1, 2012	26%	13%	9%	+/-4.4	499
AVERAGES	22%	16.33%	9%	+/-4.39	501.33
Note: The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted in this race. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to editor@ballotpedia.org.

Key deadlines

Deadline	Event
Feb 29	Declare nominees, if no primary election was necessary, as soon as practical after the filing period closes
April 13	Party affiliation change deadline/voter registration deadline
April 19	One-stop absentee voting begins for primary election
May 5	One-stop absentee voting ends for primary election
May 7	Absentee ballot deadline
May 8	Primary election
May 15	Canvass Day for County Board of elections
June 29	Deadline for unaffiliated candidates to file petitions
Aug 8	Deadline for write-in candidates to file petitions
Oct 12	Voter registration deadline for general election
Oct 18	One-stop absentee voting begins for general election
Nov 3	One-stop absentee voting ends for general election
Nov 5	Deadline for absentee ballots
Nov 6	General election day
Nov 16	Canvass Day for county boards of elections

External links

Suggest a link

Footnotes

↑ Fay Observer, "Rick Glazier drops out of N.C. superintendent race, seeks re-election in state House," February 29, 2012

[1] Fay Observer, "Rick Glazier drops out of N.C. superintendent race, seeks re-election in state House," February 29, 2012

[1]

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2013 → ← 2011
2012 State Executive Official Elections

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News • Calendar

North Carolina down ballot state executive elections, 2012

Treasurer

General

Polls

Primary

Polls

Auditor

General

Polls

Primary

Superintendent of Public Instruction

General

Polls

Primary

Additional reading

Agriculture Commissioner

General

Polls

Primary

Polls

Insurance Commissioner

General

Polls

Primary

Labor Commissioner

General

Polls

Primary

Polls

Key deadlines

See also

External links

Footnotes

Information about voting

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