2012 Washington gubernatorial election
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]
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
Christian Joubert
L. Dale Sorgen, computer programmer and former pastor[ 18]
James White
Polling
Hypothetical polling
Poll source
Date(s) administered
Sample size[ a]
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 [ 19]
June 28–30, 2011
408 (LV)
± 5.0%
20%
17%
3%
3%
3%
2%
2%
1%
49%
Results
Results by county: Inslee—40–50%
Inslee—50–60%
McKenna—40–50%
McKenna—50–60%
McKenna—60–70%
General election
Candidates
Debates
Predictions
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[ b]
Margin
Real Clear Politics [ 29]
October 14 – November 3, 2012
November 3, 2012
47.3%
46.3%
6.4%
Inslee +1.0%
Poll source
Date(s) administered
Sample size
Margin of error
Jay Inslee (D)
Rob McKenna (R)
Undecided
Public Policy Polling [ 30]
November 1–3, 2012
932
± 3.2%
50%
48%
2%
KING5 /SurveyUSA [ 31]
October 28–31, 2012
555
± 4.2%
47%
46%
7%
KCTS 9 /Washington Poll [ 32]
October 18–31, 2012
632
± 3.9%
49%
46%
6%
Elway Poll [ 33]
October 18–21, 2012
451
± 4.5%
45%
47%
10%
Strategies360 [ 34]
October 17–20, 2012
500
± 4.4%
45%
45%
10%
Public Policy Polling /WCV [ 35]
October 15–16, 2012
574
± n/a%
48%
42%
10%
KCTS 9 /Washington Poll [ 36]
October 1–16, 2012
782
± 3.5%
48%
45%
8%
Rasmussen Reports [ 37]
October 14, 2012
500
± 4.5%
47%
45%
9%
SurveyUSA [ 38]
October 12–14, 2012
543
± 4.3%
47%
44%
9%
SurveyUSA [ 39]
September 28–30, 2012
540
± 4.3%
48%
42%
10%
Rasmussen Reports [ 40]
September 26, 2012
500
± 4.5%
46%
45%
9%
Public Elway Poll [ 41]
September 9–12, 2012
405
± 5%
44%
41%
15%
Public Policy Polling [ 42]
September 7–9, 2012
563
± 4.2%
48%
42%
10%
Survey USA [ 43]
September 7–9, 2012
524
± 4.4%
49%
44%
7%
Survey USA [ 44]
August 2–3, 2012
524
± 4.4%
48%
45%
7%
Elway Poll [ 45]
July 18–22, 2012
405
± 5.0%
43%
36%
21%
Survey USA [ 46]
July 16–17, 2012
630
± 4.0%
41%
42%
16%
Public Policy Polling [ 47]
June 14–17, 2012
1,073
± 3.0%
40%
43%
17%
Elway Poll [ 48]
June 13–16, 2012
408
± 5.0%
40%
42%
18%
Strategies360 [ 49]
May 22–24, 2012
500
± 4.4%
39%
43%
18%
Survey USA [ 50]
May 8–9, 2012
557
± 4.2%
38%
40%
22%
Grove Insights (D)[ 51] [ A]
March 26–28, 2012
500
± 4.4%
38%
34%
28%
Grove Insights (D)[ 52] [ A]
February 21–23, 2012
500
± 4.4%
38%
38%
24%
Public Policy Polling [ 53]
February 16–19, 2012
1,264
± 2.8%
42%
42%
16%
Survey USA [ 54]
February 13–15, 2012
572
± 4.2%
39%
49%
12%
Elway Poll [ 55]
February 7–9, 2012
405
± 5.0%
36%
45%
19%
Survey USA [ 56]
January 12–16, 2012
617
± 4.0%
43%
46%
11%
Survey USA [ 57]
November 21–23, 2011
549
± 4.3%
38%
44%
17%
Washington Poll [ 58]
October 10–30, 2011
938
± 3.2%
38%
44%
18%
Survey USA [ 59]
September 21–22, 2011
529
± 4.3%
38%
44%
18%
Survey USA [ 60]
June 24–26, 2011
600
± 4.4%
47%
44%
9%
Public Policy Polling [ 61]
May 12–15, 2011
1,098
± 3.0%
38%
40%
22%
Survey USA [ 62]
April 27–28, 2011
610
± 4.0%
41%
48%
11%
Hypothetical polling
Christine Gregoire vs. Rob McKenna
Poll source
Date(s) administered
Sample size
Margin of error
Christine Gregoire (D)
Rob McKenna (R)
Undecided
Public Policy Polling [ 61]
May 12–15, 2011
1,098
± 3.0%
40%
49%
11%
Survey USA [ 62]
April 27–28, 2011
610
± 4.0%
40%
52%
7%
Christine Gregoire vs. Dave Reichert
Poll source
Date(s) administered
Sample size
Margin of error
Christine Gregoire (D)
Dave Reichert (R)
Undecided
Public Policy Polling [ 61]
May 12–15, 2011
1,098
± 3.0%
45%
41%
14%
Survey USA [ 62]
April 27–28, 2011
610
± 4.0%
44%
48%
8%
Jay Inslee vs. Dave Reichert
Poll source
Date(s) administered
Sample size
Margin of error
Jay Inslee (D)
Dave Reichert (R)
Undecided
Public Policy Polling [ 61]
May 12–15, 2011
1,098
± 3.0%
42%
36%
22%
Survey USA [ 62]
April 27–28, 2011
610
± 4.0%
44%
46%
10%
Lisa Brown vs. Rob McKenna
Poll source
Date(s) administered
Sample size
Margin of error
Lisa Brown (D)
Rob McKenna (R)
Undecided
Public Policy Polling [ 63]
July 27-August 1, 2010
1,204
± 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.[ 64] Inslee was declared the winner early in the morning three days later; McKenna conceded later in the evening.[ 65]
Inslee won only eight of the state's 39 counties, relying on heavy votes from the Seattle metropolitan area pushing him to victory.[ 66]
By county
County[ 69]
Jay Inslee Democratic
Rob McKenna Republican
Margin
Total votes cast
#
%
#
%
#
%
Adams
1,408
29.78%
3,320
70.22%
-1,912
-40.44%
4,728
Asotin
4,027
41.50%
5,677
58.50%
-1,650
-17.00%
9,704
Benton
27,291
34.97%
50,757
65.03%
-23,466
-30.07%
78,048
Chelan
11,616
36.41%
20,291
63.59%
-8,675
-27.19%
31,907
Clallam
17,516
46.66%
20,021
53.34%
-2,505
-6.67%
37,537
Clark
86,732
46.92%
98,131
53.08%
-11,399
-6.17%
184,863
Columbia
656
29.54%
1,565
70.46%
-909
-40.93%
2,221
Cowlitz
21,051
48.21%
22,612
51.79%
-1,561
-3.58%
43,663
Douglas
4,746
31.88%
10,139
68.12%
-5,393
-36.23%
14,885
Ferry
1,299
37.98%
2,121
62.02%
-822
-24.04%
3,420
Franklin
8,181
36.50%
14,232
63.50%
-6,051
-27.00%
22,413
Garfield
333
26.58%
920
73.42%
-587
-46.85%
1,253
Grant
8,654
31.59%
18,742
68.41%
-10,088
-36.82%
27,396
Grays Harbor
14,491
50.90%
13,978
49.10%
513
1.80%
28,469
Island
19,324
46.67%
22,082
53.33%
-2,758
-6.66%
41,406
Jefferson
12,176
62.29%
7,370
37.71%
4,806
24.59%
19,546
King
590,879
62.36%
356,713
37.64%
234,166
24.71%
947,592
Kitsap
60,578
49.72%
61,261
50.28%
-683
-0.56%
121,839
Kittitas
7,137
39.90%
10,752
60.10%
-3,615
-20.21%
17,889
Klickitat
4,442
44.07%
5,638
55.93%
-1,196
-11.87%
10,080
Lewis
11,865
35.03%
22,002
64.97%
-10,137
-29.93%
33,867
Lincoln
1,716
29.57%
4,088
70.43%
-2,372
-40.87%
5,804
Mason
13,175
47.25%
14,708
52.75%
-1,533
-5.50%
27,883
Okanogan
6,759
40.55%
9,909
59.45%
-3,150
-18.90%
16,668
Pacific
5,379
51.73%
5,020
48.27%
359
3.45%
10,399
Pend Oreille
2,442
37.06%
4,148
62.94%
-1,706
-25.89%
6,590
Pierce
164,211
48.54%
174,078
51.46%
-9,867
-2.92%
338,289
San Juan
6,763
64.82%
3,671
35.18%
3,092
29.63%
10,434
Skagit
25,878
47.33%
28,803
52.67%
-2,925
-5.35%
54,681
Skamania
2,434
45.92%
2,867
54.08%
-433
-8.17%
5,301
Snohomish
166,452
51.23%
158,440
48.77%
8,012
2.47%
324,892
Spokane
95,354
43.49%
123,894
56.51%
-28,540
-13.02%
219,248
Stevens
7,426
33.79%
14,554
66.21%
-7,128
-32.43%
21,980
Thurston
67,353
53.75%
57,948
46.25%
9,405
7.51%
125,301
Wahkiakum
964
42.83%
1,287
57.17%
-323
-14.35%
2,251
Walla Walla
9,353
38.03%
15,238
61.97%
-5,885
-23.93%
24,591
Whatcom
53,599
53.10%
47,340
46.90%
6,259
6.20%
100,939
Whitman
7,351
43.83%
9,421
56.17%
-2,070
-12.34%
16,772
Yakima
31,791
41.67%
44,507
58.33%
-12,716
-16.67%
76,298
Totals
1,582,802
51.54%
1,488,245
48.46%
94,557
3.08%
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.[ 70]
See also
Notes
^ Key: A – all adults RV – registered voters LV – likely voters V – unclear
^ Calculated by taking the difference of 100% and all other candidates combined.
Partisan clients
References
^ "Washington's 2012 elections" . Balletopedia - The Encyclopedia of American Politics . Balletopedia. Archived from the original on May 8, 2017. Retrieved June 28, 2017 .
^ "RCW 29a.04.311: Primaries" . apps.leg.wa.gov . Archived from the original on August 13, 2011. Retrieved July 2, 2011 .
^ Pages - Top 2 Primary Archived April 25, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
^ a b 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 .
^ Grygiel, Chris (March 10, 2012). "US Rep. Inslee to resign for Wash. gov. race" . The News Tribune . Associated Press. [dead link ]
^ 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 .
^ "Inslee Announcement Prompts More Democratic Interest" Archived 2011-06-29 at the Wayback Machine , Roll Call Politics
^ "Lisa Brown endorses Inslee" [dead link ]
^ "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 .
^ 2012 races take shape - Elections - The Olympian [dead link ]
^ 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 .
^ Sims Quits HUD Post, Hotline On Call Archived June 16, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
^ 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 .
^ "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 .
^ 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 .
^ Brunner, Jim (June 8, 2011). "McKenna launches campaign for governor" . The Seattle Times .
^ a b 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 .
^ 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 .
^ Chism Strategies Archived 2011-09-15 at the Wayback Machine
^ "August 07, 2012 Primary Results" . Washington Secretary of State. Retrieved August 12, 2024 .
^ "2012 Governor Race Ratings for November 1, 2012" . The Cook Political Report . Archived from the original on December 1, 2018. Retrieved November 30, 2018 .
^ "PROJECTION: OBAMA WILL LIKELY WIN SECOND TERM" . Sabato's Crystal Ball . Archived from the original on December 1, 2018. Retrieved November 30, 2018 .
^ "2012 Gubernatorial Ratings" . Gubernatorial Ratings . The Rothenberg Political Report. Archived from the original on December 1, 2018. Retrieved November 30, 2018 .
^ "2012 Elections Map - 2012 Governor Races" . Real Clear Politics. Archived from the original on December 1, 2018. Retrieved November 30, 2018 .
^ "Obama Endorses Jay Inslee" . The Stranger .
^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Updated: Gubernatorial newspaper endorsement tally: 12 recommend Rob McKenna, while Olympian gives Jay Inslee the nod" . The Seattle Times . October 24, 2020.
^ "The Stranger Election Control Board's Endorsements For the November 6, 2012, General Election" . The Stranger . October 17, 2012.
^ a b c "Democrats for McKenna (D4R) Launches" . June 12, 2012.
^ Real Clear Politics
^ Public Policy Polling
^ KING5/SurveyUSA
^ KCTS 9/Washington Poll
^ Elway Poll
^ Strategies360
^ Public Policy Polling/WCV
^ KCTS 9/Washington Poll
^ Rasmussen Reports
^ SurveyUSA
^ SurveyUSA
^ Rasmussen Reports
^ Public Elway Poll
^ Public Policy Polling
^ Survey USA
^ Survey USA
^ Elway Poll
^ Survey USA
^ Public Policy Polling
^ Elway Poll
^ Strategies360
^ Survey USA
^ Grove Insights (D)
^ Grove Insights (D)
^ Public Policy Polling
^ Survey USA
^ Elway Poll
^ Survey USA
^ Survey USA
^ Washington Poll
^ Survey USA
^ Survey USA
^ a b c d Public Policy Polling
^ a b c d Survey USA
^ Public Policy Polling
^ "Inslee vs. McKenna could drag on" . The Seattle Times . November 6, 2012. Archived from the original on October 6, 2016. Retrieved August 25, 2016 .
^ 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 .
^ 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 .
^ "November 06, 2012 General Election Results" . Washington Secretary of State. Retrieved December 2, 2024 .
^ "Washington gubernatorial election, 2012" . Ballotpedia. Retrieved September 11, 2024 .
^ "Governor - County Results" . Washington Secretary of State. Retrieved August 12, 2024 .
^ Results . sos.wa.gov (Report).
External links
Official campaign websites
U.S. President U.S. Senate U.S. House (Election ratings ) Governors Attorneys general Other statewide elections State legislatures
Alaska
Arizona
California
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Hawaii
Illinois
Iowa
Michigan
Minnesota
Montana
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Texas
Washington
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Mayoral
Alexandria, VA
Anchorage, AK
Augusta, GA
Austin, TX
Bakersfield, CA
Baton Rouge, LA
Cheyenne, WY
Corpus Christi, TX
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Fresno, CA
Glendale, AZ
Honolulu, HI
Huntsville, AL
Irvine, CA
Juneau, AK
Lubbock, TX
Mesa, AZ
Miami-Dade County, FL
Milwaukee, WI
Orlando, FL
Portland, OR
Richmond, VA
Riverside, CA
Sacramento, CA
San Diego, CA
San Juan, PR
Santa Ana, CA
Stockton, CA
Virginia Beach, VA
Wilmington, DE
States and territories