West Virginia gubernatorial election, 2012

West Virginia gubernatorial election, 2012

November 6, 2012

Nominee Earl Ray Tomblin Bill Maloney Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 335,468 303,291 Percentage 50.5% 45.6%

County results

Governor before election Earl Ray Tomblin Democratic Elected Governor Earl Ray Tomblin Democratic

The 2012 West Virginia gubernatorial election was held on November 6, 2012, to elect the governor of West Virginia. Democratic incumbent Earl Ray Tomblin, who was elected Governor in a special election in 2011, was eligible to seek a full four-year term.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Arne Moltis, candidate for governor in 2011^[1]
• Earl Ray Tomblin, incumbent governor^[2]

Declined

• Jeff Kessler, state senator, president of the state senate, and candidate for governor in 2011^[3]
• Brooks McCabe, state senator^[3]

Results

Democratic primary results^[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Earl Ray Tomblin (incumbent)	170,481	84.4
	Democratic	Arne Moltis	31,587	15.6
Total votes			202,068	100

Republican primary

Candidates

• Ralph William Clark, philosophy professor at West Virginia University and candidate for governor in 2011^[5]
• Bill Maloney, businessman and Republican nominee for governor in 2011^[5]

Declined

• Clark Barnes, state senator and candidate for governor in 2011^[3] (did not file)
• Mark Sorsaia, Putnam County prosecutor and candidate for governor in 2011^[3] (did not file)
• Mike Stuart, West Virginia Republican Party chairman^[6]

Results

Republican primary results^[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Bill Maloney	86,925	83.5
	Republican	Ralph William Clark	17,165	16.5
Total votes			104,090	100

General election

Candidates

• Jesse Johnson (Mountain), former gubernatorial and senate nominee^[7]
• Bill Maloney (R), businessman and Republican nominee for governor in 2011
• David Moran (Libertarian), farmer and retired engineer^[8]
• Earl Ray Tomblin (D), incumbent governor

Other potential candidates

• Phil Hudok (Constitution), write-in candidate for governor in 2011^[3]
• Norman Ferguson (NPA)^[3]

Debates

• Complete video of debate, C-SPAN, October 9, 2012

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Earl Ray Tomblin (D)	Bill Maloney (R)	Undecided
R.L. Repass	August 22–25, 2012	401	± 4.9%	56%	35%	9%
R.L. Repass	April 25–28, 2012	410	± 4.8%	60%	32%	8%

Results

West Virginia gubernatorial election, 2012^[9]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±
	Democratic	Earl Ray Tomblin (inc.)	335,468	50.49%	+0.94%
	Republican	Bill Maloney	303,291	45.65%	-1.40%
	Mountain	Jesse Johnson	16,787	2.53%	+0.51%
	Libertarian	David Moran	8,909	1.34%	+1.34%
Margin of victory			31,277	4.84%	+2.33%
Total votes			664,455	100%
	Democratic hold		Swing

References

1. Messina, Lawrence (January 28, 2012). "W.Va. candidates file for Congress, state offices". The Washington Examiner. Associated Press. Retrieved January 29, 2012.
2. Ali, Ann (January 19, 2012). "Tomblin files for governor". State Journal. Retrieved January 27, 2012.
3. Hicks, Ian (November 29, 2011). "Maloney May Try Again". The Intelligencer & Wheeling News Register. Retrieved January 3, 2012.
4. "Statewide Results". Secretary of State of West Virginia. Retrieved May 27, 2012.
5. Rivard, Ry; Hunt, Jared (January 26, 2012). "Maloney ready for another shot against Tomblin". Charleston Daily Mail. Retrieved January 27, 2012.
6. Rivard, Ry (October 25, 2011). "GOP Chairman: Not running for public office in '12". Charleston Daily Mail. Retrieved October 25, 2011.
7. "Mountain Party nominates Johnson, Baber at Sutton convention". The Charleston Gazette. July 24, 2012. Retrieved August 1, 2012.
8. "David Moran for Governor". Libertarian Party of West Virginia. Retrieved August 6, 2012.
9. http://apps.sos.wv.gov/elections/results/Default.aspx?year=2012&eid=13

External links

• Elections Division at the West Virginia secretary of state

Candidate sites

• Bill Maloney for Governor
• Earl Ray Tomblin for Governor
• David Moran for Governor