Elections were held in North Carolina on November 6, 2012, to select the nine officers of the North Carolina Council of State. This election coincided with the U.S. presidential election, U.S. House elections, the gubernatorial election and the statewide judicial elections. Primary elections were held on May 8, 2012; for races in which no candidate received 40 percent of the vote in the primary, runoff elections (officially known as "second" primaries) were held on July 17.

The nine members of the North Carolina Council of State are statewide-elected officers serving four-year terms. In the 2012 elections, all incumbents who ran for new terms were re-elected, while the Governor and Lieutenant Governor's seats were open following incumbent Bev Perdue's decision to retire, and Walter Dalton's decision to run for governor, respectively.

The partisan makeup of the Council of State changed from 8 Democrats and 2 Republicans before the election to 6 Democrats and 4 Republicans afterward, as Republicans flipped both the Governor and Lieutenant Governor.

Governor

Republican Pat McCrory was elected governor.

Lieutenant governor

Republican Dan Forest was elected lieutenant governor.

Attorney general

Roy Cooper, the Democratic incumbent attorney general, ran for re-election unopposed.

Results

Secretary of State

Democratic primary Elaine Marshall, the Democratic incumbent Secretary of State, ran for re-election.

Republican primary Michael Beitler, business professor; Libertarian nominee for US Senator in 2010 (changed his registration to Republican to run for secretary of state) A.J. Daoud, business ownerhttp://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/elaine_marshall_touts_better_fundraising_than_the_obama_campaign Kenn Gardner, former Wake County commissioner Ed Goodwin, Chowan County commissioner, retired Naval Criminal Investigative Service agentNews & Observer: GOP secretary of state candidates trade blows about biographies

Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror MichaelBeitler A.J.Daoud KennGardner EddyGoodwin UndecidedPublic Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling May 5–6, 2012 496 ± 4.4% 8% 11% 23% 14% 45%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling April 27–29, 2012 486 ± 4.4% 7% 9% 20% 11% 52%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling April 20–22, 2012 521 ± 4.3% 6% 6% 17% 10% 61%

Primary results

As no candidate received 40 percent of the vote, state law allows the runner-up to request a second primary (or "runoff"). Gardner requested a runoff.

General election

Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror ElaineMarshall (D) EdGoodwin (R) UndecidedPublic Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling October 23–25, 2012 880 LV ± 3.3% 43% 38% 19%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling September 27–30, 2012 981 ± 3.1% 41% 34% 24%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling August 2–5, 2012 813 ± 3.4% 43% 37% 19%

Results

State Auditor

Democratic primary Beth A. Wood, the Democratic incumbent State Auditor, ran for re-election.News & Observer: Auditor Beth Wood announces reelection bid

Republican primary Joseph Hank DeBragga, auditor for North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources Greg Dority, three-time congressional candidate, Beaufort County Republican Party chairmanNews & Observer: Greg Dority switches races Debra Goldman, Wake County School Board memberNews & Observer: Debra Goldman announces for state auditor Fern Shubert, former state senator, former state representative, certified public accountant2012 Election Tracker Rudy Wright, Mayor of Hickory, former certified public accountant

Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror JosephDeBragga GregDority DebraGoldman FernShubert RudyWright UndecidedPublic Policy Polling May 5–6, 2012 496 ± 4.4% 5% 16% 17% 11% 8% 44%Public Policy Polling April 27–29, 2012 486 ± 4.4% 3% 18% 16% 9% 3% 51%Public Policy Polling April 20–22, 2012 521 ± 4.3% 4% 11% 12% 7% 4% 61%

Primary results

As the runner-up, Dority chose not to request a runoff, making Goldman the nominee.News & Observer: GOP auditor candidate won't seek runoff

General election

Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror BethWood (D) DebraGoldman (R) UndecidedPublic Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling October 29–31, 2012 730 ± 3.6% 50% 38% 12%Public Policy Polling October 23–25, 2012 880 LV ± 3.3% 45% 38% 18%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling August 31–September 1, 2012 1,012 ± 3.1% 40% 38% 22%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling July 5–8, 2012 775 ± 3.5% 39% 36% 25%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling June 7–10, 2012 810 ± 3.4% 36% 36% 29%

Results

State Treasurer

Democratic primary Janet Cowell, the Democratic incumbent State Treasurer, ran for re-election.News & Observer: Democratic state treasurer won't seek higher office Ron Elmer, investment consultantNews & Observer: Two state incumbents face primary challengers

Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror JanetCowell RonElmer UndecidedPublic Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling April 27–29, 2012 500 ± 4.4% 50% 11% 39%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling April 20–22, 2012 500 ± 4.4% 38% 11% 51%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling March 23–25, 2012 505 ± 4.36% 34% 12% 55%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling February 29–March 1, 2012 499 ± 4.4% 32% 14% 54%

Primary results

Republican primary Frank Roche, talk radio hostNews & Observer: Conservative talk radio host joins state treasurer's race Steve Royal, certified public accountantWilkes Journal Patriot

Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror FrankRoche SteveRoyal UndecidedPublic Policy Polling May 5–6, 2012 496 ± 4.4% 24% 30% 47%Public Policy Polling April 27–29, 2012 486 ± 4.4% 17% 27% 57%

Primary results

General election

Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror JanetCowell (D) SteveRoyal (R) UndecidedPublic Policy Polling October 29–31, 2012 730 ± 3.6% 46% 41% 13%Public Policy Polling August 31–September 1, 2012 1,012 ± 3.1% 42% 38% 20%Public Policy Polling July 5–8, 2012 775 ± 3.5% 38% 35% 27%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling October 12–14, 2012 1,084 ± 3% 34% 33% 33%

Results

Superintendent of Public Instruction

Democratic primary June Atkinson, the Democratic incumbent Superintendent, ran for re-election.News & Observer: Atkinson will seek reelection for state superintendent

Withdrawn Candidates Rick Glazier, state representativeNews & Observer: Glazier says he'll run for superintendent of public instruction nominationNews & Observer: Rick Glazier abandons bid for superintendent, will seek reelection

Republican primary Richard Alexander, South Carolina teacher and former small business ownerNews & Observer: Richard Alexander running for superintendent of public instruction Mark Crawford, former state representativePolitics1 Ray Martin, teacherNews & Observer: A fellow Democrat wants Atkinson's job David Scholl, businessman and Union County School Board member John Tedesco, Wake County School Board memberNews & Observer: Republican school board member enters superintendent race

Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror RichardAlexander MarkCrawford RayMartin DavidScholl JohnTedesco UndecidedPublic Policy Polling May 5–6, 2012 496 ± 4.4% 14% 12% 6% 6% 16% 45%Public Policy Polling April 27–29, 2012 486 ± 4.4% 13% 8% 5% 6% 16% 52%Public Policy Polling April 20–22, 2012 521 ± 4.3% 13% 6% 5% 4% 16% 57%

Primary results

As the runner-up, Alexander requested a runoff.Charlotte Observer

General election

Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror JuneAtkinson (D) JohnTedesco (R) UndecidedPublic Policy Polling October 23–25, 2012 880 LV ± 3.3% 42% 40% 18%Public Policy Polling September 27–30, 2012 981 ± 3.1% 44% 34% 22%Public Policy Polling August 2–5, 2012 813 ± 3.4% 44% 37% 19%

Results

Commissioner of Agriculture

Republican primary Bill McManus, real estate investor, former attorney and accountant, former Democratic member of Massachusetts House of Representatives Steve Troxler, the Republican incumbent Commissioner, ran for re-election.News & Observer: Agriculture commissioner announces re-election bid

Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror BillMcManus SteveTroxler UndecidedPublic Policy Polling April 27–29, 2012 486 ± 4.4% 17% 48% 35%Public Policy Polling April 20–22, 2012 521 ± 4.3% 17% 41% 42%

Primary results

Democratic primary Scott Bryant, farmer and former law enforcement officerNews & Observer: Chatham farmer to run for agriculture commissioner Walter Smith, farmer, former USDA official, former mayor of Boonville

Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror ScottBryant WalterSmith UndecidedPublic Policy Polling May 5–6, 2012 500 ± 3.1% 21% 19% 60%Public Policy Polling April 27–29, 2012 505 ± 4.36% 20% 17% 63%Public Policy Polling March 23–25, 2012 505 ± 4.36% 17% 12% 71%Public Policy Polling February 29–March 1, 2012 499 ± 4.4% 14% 13% 73%

Primary results

General election

Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror SteveTroxler (R) WalterSmith (D) UndecidedPublic Policy Polling October 29–31, 2012 730 ± 3.6% 48% 38% 14%Public Policy Polling August 31–September 1, 2012 1,012 ± 3.1% 45% 35% 20%Public Policy Polling July 5–8, 2012 775 ± 3.5% 46% 34% 20%Public Policy Polling June 7–10, 2012 810 ± 3.4% 45% 31% 25%

Results

Commissioner of Labor

Republican primary Cherie Berry, the Republican incumbent Commissioner, ran for re-election.WRAL.com

Democratic primary John C. Brooks, former Commissioner of Labor Marlowe Foster, public affairs director for Pfizer (registered lobbyist), former Winston-Salem State University official Ty Richardson, 2008 candidate

Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror JohnBrooks MarloweFoster TyRichardson UndecidedPublic Policy Polling May 5–6, 2012 500 ± 3.1% 18% 14% 30% 38%Public Policy Polling April 27–29, 2012 500 ± 4.4% 20% 12% 26% 42%Public Policy Polling April 20–22, 2012 500 ± 4.4% 18% 10% 18% 54%Public Policy Polling March 23–25, 2012 505 ± 4.36% 18% 8% 22% 51%Public Policy Polling February 29–March 1, 2012 499 ± 4.4% 13% 9% 26% 52%

Primary results

As the runner-up, Foster requested a runoff.News & Observer: Marlowe Foster seeks runoff

General election

Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror CherieBerry (R) JohnBrooks (D) UndecidedPublic Policy Polling October 23–25, 2012 880 LV ± 3.3% 43% 37% 19%Public Policy Polling September 27–30, 2012 981 ± 3.1% 41% 37% 22%Public Policy Polling August 2–5, 2012 813 ± 3.4% 44% 34% 22%

Results

Commissioner of Insurance

Democratic primary Wayne Goodwin, the Democratic incumbent Commissioner, ran for re-election.

Republican primary Mike Causey, former lobbyistNews & Observer: Republican candidate for insurance commissioner announces today James McCall, insurance agentNews & Observer: Another Republican candidate for insurance commissioner Richard T. Morgan, former state representativeNews & Observer: Richard Morgan files for insurance commissioner

Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror MikeCausey JamesMcCall RichardMorgan UndecidedPublic Policy Polling May 5–6, 2012 496 ± 4.4% 20% 14% 19% 47%Public Policy Polling April 27–29, 2012 486 ± 4.4% 12% 12% 25% 51%Public Policy Polling April 20–22, 2012 521 ± 4.3% 13% 10% 17% 60%

Primary results

As the runner-up, Causey requested a runoff.Blue Ridge Now Of all the statewide runoffs held on July 17, the Republican primary for Insurance Commissioner was the only one in which the top vote-getter changed from the first to the second primary.

General election

Polling