The 2012 Missouri lieutenant gubernatorial election was held on November 6, 2012. Incumbent Republican Peter Kinder faced Democratic nominee and former state auditor Susan Montee, Libertarian Matthew Copple, and the Constitution Party nominee, former state representative Cynthia Davis.

Background Incumbent lieutenant governor Peter Kinder won the 2008 Missouri lieutenant gubernatorial election with 49.9% of the vote against Democratic candidate Sam Page. Kinder had been considered the front-runner in the 2012 Republican Gubernatorial primary, but after various controversies emerged, he decided to run for re-election. His decision was also influenced by St. Louis businessman and multimillionaire Dave Spence unexpectedly declaring to run for governor and pledging to put much of his own money into the race.

Timeline March 27, 2012 – Filing deadline for Democrats, Republicans and Libertarianshttp://sos.mo.gov/elections/calendar/2012cal.asp from the Missouri Secretary of State August 7, 2012 – Primary (gubernatorial and other statewide office) elections August 21, 2012 – Filing deadline for other third parties and Independents November 6, 2012 – General election

Republican primary Candidates Declared Michael E. Carter, former municipal judge, corporate attorney and Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor in 2008 Peter Kinder, incumbent lieutenant governor Charles W. Kullmann, retired college teacher Brad Lager, state senator

Declined Ed Martin, attorney Chris McKee, developerRepublican McKee drops out of MO Luann Ridgeway, state senatorRidgeway likely to run for MO lieutenant governor Steven Tilley, speaker of the Missouri House of Representativeshttp://www.bnd.com/2011/11/10/1936085/republican-tilley-drops-out-of.html

Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror MikeCarter PeterKinder CharlesKullman BradLager UndecidedPublic Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling August 4–5, 2012 590 ± 4.0% 6% 42% 5% 30% 18%Mason-DixonMason-Dixon July 23–25, 2012 400 ± 5.0% 6% 47% 1% 21% 25%

Results

Democratic primary Candidates Declared Judy Baker, former state representative and former regional director of the United States Department of Health and Human Services Sara Lampe, state representative Susan Montee, former State Auditor of Missouri and former chairwoman of the Missouri Democratic Party Becky Plattner, Missouri Conservation Commission chairwoman, former Presiding Commissioner of Saline County and candidate for lieutenant governor in 2008

Declined Mike Sanders, county executive of Jackson Countyhttps://www.stltoday.com/news/state-and-regional/missouri/article_542f0e23-c41f-526f-adf6-9d30ba06a3a7.html Wes Shoemyer, former state senator

Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror JudyBaker BillHaas SusanMontee SarahLampe BeckyPlattner UndecidedMason-Dixon July 23–25, 2012 400 ± 5.0% 5% 9% 28% 13% 4% 41%

Results

Libertarian primary Candidate Matthew Copple

Results

Constitution primary Candidate Cynthia Davis, former state representative

Results

General election Kinder defeated all other candidates to become the first Missouri lieutenant governor to be elected to a third term since Frank Gaines Harris, who served from January 1933 to December 1944. Kinder received 49.4 percent of the vote, while Susan Montee received 45.4 percent. Libertarian Matthew Copple and Constitution Party candidate Cynthia L. Davis garnered 2.8 and 2.4 percent, respectively.

Polling Poll source Date(s) administered Samplesize Margin oferror PeterKinder (R) SusanMontee (D) Other UndecidedPublic Policy Polling Public Policy Polling November 2–3, 2012 835 ± 3.4% 44% 43% — 13%Mason-DixonMason-Dixon October 23–25, 2012 625 ± 4% 46% 41% — 13%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling October 19–21, 2012 582 ± 4.1% 43% 43% — 13%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling August 20, 2012 500 ± 4.4% 45% 38% — 17%

Results

By congressional district Kinder won six of eight congressional districts. District Kinder Montee Representative1st19%77%Lacy Clay2nd54%42%Todd Akin (112th Congress)Ann Wagner (113th Congress)3rd56%37%Russ Carnahan (112th Congress)Blaine Luetkemeyer (113th Congress)4th55%39%Vicky Hartzler5th36%59%Emanuel Cleaver6th54%41%Sam Graves7th62%33%Billy Long8th61%35%Jo Ann Emerson

See also 2012 United States gubernatorial elections 2012 United States Senate election in Missouri 2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Missouri 2012 Missouri gubernatorial election 2012 Missouri Attorney General election 2012 Missouri State Treasurer election 2012 Missouri Secretary of State election

References

External links Elections from the Missouri Secretary of State Missouri Governor candidates at Project Vote Smart

Official campaign websites Judy Baker for Lieutenant Governor Mike Carter for Lieutenant Governor Cynthia Davis for Lieutenant Governor Peter Kinder for Lieutenant Governor Brad Lager for Lieutenant Governor Sara Lampe for Lieutenant Governor Susan Montee for Lieutenant Governor Becky Plattner for Lieutenant Governor