United States gubernatorial elections, 2012
Encyclopedia
The United States gubernatorial elections of 2012 will be held in eleven states and two territories concurrent with other elections during the United States General election of 2012
.
will be ineligible to run for re-election due to term-limits.
Utu Abe Malae
(R), former President of the Development Bank of American Samoa, is currently the only announced candidate as of August 2011.
will be term-limited in 2012.
So far, the only declared Democratic candidates are state Senator
Larry Jent
and state Attorney General Steve Bullock
. Potential candidates include Montana Department of Transportation Director Jim Lynch
, Lieutenant Governor
John Bohlinger
, Carl Borgquist, the president of Grasslands Renewable Energy of Bozeman, and state Senator Shannon Augare
. Former U.S. Representative Pat Williams
and state Senator Dave Wanzenried have declined to run.
The declared Republican candidates include Chouteau County
commissioner Jim O'Hara, former state Senators
Corey Stapleton
and Ken Miller, terrorism and national security analyst Neil Livingstone, former Congressman Rick Hill
, and Truck driver Keith Winkler. Another potential Republican candidate includes state Senate Majority leader Jeff Essmann. Businessman Steve Daines
and Representative Denny Rehberg
, who were speculated to be candidates, will instead run for the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate respectively.
John Lynch will retire rather than run for re-election.
Other potential candidates include Mark Connolly
, the former director of the New Hampshire Bureau of Securities Regulation; Margaret Wood Hassan
, former state Senate Majority Leader; and former Portsmouth Mayor Steve Marchand
.
Former Chairman of the New Hampshire Board of Education Ovide Lamontagne, a Tea Party favorite who narrowly lost the Republican primary for Senate in 2010, is considering running. Other potential Republican candidates include state Senate Majority Leader and former U.S. Representative Jeb Bradley
, Mayor of Manchester Ted Gatsas
, former Health and Human Services Commissioner John Stephen
, former state Senator Bruce Keough, and conservative activist Kevin Smith.
New Hampshire
does not have a position of Lieutenant Governor.
will retire rather than run for re-election.
U.S. Representative Jay Inslee
is the only declared Democratic candidate. Other potential Democratic candidates including state Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown, King County Executive Dow Constantine
, state Treasurer Jim McIntire
, Auditor General Brian Sonntag
, and Snohomish County
Executive Aaron Reardon have declined to run, or endorsed Inslee.
State Attorney General Rob McKenna
and Pastor Shahram Hadian, are the announced Republicans in the race. Seattle Port Commission President Bill Bryant is considered a potential Republican candidate. U.S. Representative Dave Reichert
decided against a bid, and threw his support to McKenna.
The Lieutenant Governor
will be elected separately.
Mitch Daniels
will be term-limited in 2012.
Mike Pence
, a Republican currently serving his sixth term in the U.S. House of Representatives, has announced his candidacy for his party's nomination. Pence, whose announcement was anticipated by his resignation of a leading position in the GOP caucus in the House, is regarded as the favorite for election. Indianapolis businessman and former Hamilton County Councilman Jim Wallace
had announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination prior to Pence's entrance. Other potential candidates include Superintendent of Public Education Tony Bennett
, state House Speaker Brian Bosma
, former state Attorney General Steve Carter, Indiana Republican Party
Chairman Murray Clark, and President Pro Tempore of the Indiana state Senate David Long
.
Former state House Speaker John R. Gregg
and Landscaping Contractor Thomas Lenfert will be running for the Democratic nomination. Former Lake county Sheriff Roy Dominguez is also a potential candidate.
will be eligible to run for re-election, and will do so.
Potential Republican candidates include Lt. Governor Peter Kinder
and state Senator Jason Glennon Crowell
.
The Lieutenant Governor will be elected separately.
Beverly Perdue will be eligible to run for re-election, and has stated that she will run.
Potential Republican candidates include former Mayor of Charlotte
Pat McCrory (the 2008 Republican nominee for Governor); Nido Qubein
, President of High Point University; Tom Fetzer
, former Mayor of Raleigh; and former state Senator Fred Smith
.
The Lieutenant Governor
will be elected separately.
The Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia
ruled on January 18, 2011 that the state must hold a special gubernatorial election in 2011 to fill the vacancy resulting from Joe Manchin
's election to the United States Senate
. The special election occurred October 4, 2011 with state Senate President
and acting Governor Earl Ray Tomblin
winning the election. Tomblin will be eligible to run for a full term in 2012 and has indicated he will do so. Mike Stuart, the chairman of the West Virginia Republican Party
has announced he is not running for Governor.
Tomblin's 2011 Republican opponent, businessman Bill Maloney
, has filed paperwork for a rematch.
The Lieutenant Governor will be elected by the State Senate
.
A Potential Republican candidate is former state House Speaker Terry R. Spence
.
The Lieutenant Governor
will be elected separately.
Peter Shumlin, the victor of the Vermont gubernatorial election of 2010
, will be eligible to run again in 2012, but has so far not announced if he will do so.
Thom Lauzon, the Mayor of Barre, has been mentioned as a potential Republican candidate. Others include former Lt. Governor Brian Dubie
, state Senator Randy Brock
, Vermont Auditor of Accounts
Thomas M. Salmon
, current Lt. Governor Phillip Scott
, and attorney Mark Snelling.
The Lieutenant Governor will be elected separately.
Luis Fortuño
(PNP
/R) will be eligible to run for re-election, and will do so.
Fortuño had been mentioned as a long-shot potential Republican nominee for President or Vice President in 2012
. However, he announced on June 26, 2011 that he would run for re-election instead of seeking the Presidency.
Senator
Alejandro García Padilla
(PPD
/D) is currently the only announced challenger.
Puerto Rico
does not have a position of Lieutenant Governor.
Jack Dalrymple
succeeded John Hoeven
after the latter was elected Senator and will have the option to run in 2012 for a full term. Other potential Republican candidates include architect Paul Sorum and Lt. Governor Drew Wrigley
. Former United States Secretary of Agriculture
and Governor Ed Schafer will not run.
Potential Democratic candidates include former Representative
Earl Pomeroy
, former Agriculture Commissioner Roger Johnson
, State School Superintendent Wayne G. Sanstead
, former state Attorney General Heidi Heitkamp
, and state Senate Minority Leader Ryan Taylor
.
to finish his predecessor's unfinished term, will have the option of running for a full four year term in 2012.
Jennifer Duffy of the Cook Political Report
in September 2010 suggested that the 2010 contest "may be a practice run for 2012 when the seat is up again." However, Corroon has not made any announcement as to whether he will run in 2012. Current names being discussed in Utah as possible GOP Convention contenders are: former State Representative Craig Frank (R); CEO of American Resource Petroleum Corp. William Skokos; and State Senator John Valentine (R-Orem).
United States elections, 2012
The 2012 United States elections will be held on Tuesday, November 6, 2012. The 57th quadrennial presidential election will be held on this date, coinciding with Senate elections where 33 races will occur, as well as House of Representatives elections to elect the members for the 113th Congress...
.
Predictions
The position of Lieutenant Governor, unless otherwise stated, is elected on the same ticket as the gubernatorial nominee.| Source | Safe Democratic | Likely Democratic | Leans Democratic | Tossup | Leans Republican | Likely Republican | Safe Republican |
| Consensus among all predictions |
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| The Cook Political Report Cook Political Report The Cook Political Report is an independent, non-partisan online newsletter that analyzes elections and campaigns for the United States House of Representatives, the United States Senate, Governor's offices and the American Presidency. The Cook Political Report is led by a staff of five... as of October 13, 2011 (updates) |
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| FiveThirtyEight.com |
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| Governing as of July 25, 2011 (updates) |
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| RealClearPolitics RealClearPolitics RealClearPolitics is a political news and polling data aggregator based in Chicago, Illinois. The site's founders say their goal is to give readers "ideological diversity." They have described themselves as frustrated with what they perceive as anti-conservative, anti-Christian media bias, and... |
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| The Rothenberg Stuart Rothenberg Stuart Rothenberg is an American editor, publisher, and political analyst best known for his Washington-based, biweekly, self-proclaimed non-partisan political newsletter The Rothenberg Political Report... Political Report as of November 4, 2011 (updates) |
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| Larry Sabato Larry Sabato Larry Joseph Sabato is an American political scientist and analyst. He is the Robert Kent Gooch Professor of Politics at the University of Virginia, and director of its Center for Politics. He founded Sabato's Crystal Ball, an online newsletter and website that provides free political analysis and... 's Crystal Ball Sabato's Crystal Ball Sabato’s Crystal Ball is a free, nonpartisan weekly online newsletter and comprehensive website in the United States that analyzes the current American political scene and predicts electoral outcomes for U.S House of Representatives, U.S. Senate, governors, and U.S. president races... as of September 19, 2011 (updates) |
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Togiola Tulafono (American Samoa)
Governor Togiola TulafonoTogiola Tulafono
Togiola Talalelei A. Tulafono is the Governor of American Samoa. He is a member of the Democratic Party. He had previously served as Lieutenant Governor, taking this position on January 3, 1997....
will be ineligible to run for re-election due to term-limits.
Utu Abe Malae
Utu Abe Malae
Utu Abe Malae is an American Samoan politician, banker and businessman. Malae was a candidate for Governor of American Samoa in the 2008 gubernatorial elections, finishing second in the runoff to incumbent Governor Togiola Tulafono....
(R), former President of the Development Bank of American Samoa, is currently the only announced candidate as of August 2011.
Brian Schweitzer (Montana)
Governor Brian SchweitzerBrian Schweitzer
Brian David Schweitzer is an American politician from the U.S. state of Montana. Schweitzer is its 23rd and current governor, serving since January 2005. Schweitzer currently has one of the highest approval ratings among governors in the nation, with polls regularly showing a rating of above 60...
will be term-limited in 2012.
So far, the only declared Democratic candidates are state Senator
Montana Senate
The Montana Senate is the upper house of the Montana State Legislature, the state legislative branch of the U.S. state of Montana. The body is composed of 50 senators.-Composition of the Senate:-Officers:*Majority Whip: Greg Barkus...
Larry Jent
Larry Jent
Larry Jent is a Democratic Party member of the Montana Senate, representing District 32 since 2007. He was previously a member of the Montana House of Representatives from 2000 through 2006.-External links:* official MT State Legislature website...
and state Attorney General Steve Bullock
Steve Bullock (Montana)
Steve Bullock Is the current Attorney General of the U.S. state of Montana. He was elected to office in November 2008 and sworn in on January 5, 2009. He is the 20th Attorney General of Montana.- Early life and education :...
. Potential candidates include Montana Department of Transportation Director Jim Lynch
Jim Lynch
James Robert Lynch is a former American football linebacker who spent his entire eleven-year professional career with the American Football League and National Football League Kansas City Chiefs.-Early years:...
, Lieutenant Governor
Lieutenant Governor of Montana
Lieutenant Governor of Montana is an official in the state of Montana that ranks just below the Governor of Montana. The current lieutenant governor is John Bohlinger.-List of Lieutenant Governors:* John E. Rickards, Republican,...
John Bohlinger
John Bohlinger
John Bohlinger, Jr. is the current Lieutenant Governor of Montana. Bohlinger for lieutenant governor ran as a Republican on a bipartisan ticket headed by Democrat Brian Schweitzer...
, Carl Borgquist, the president of Grasslands Renewable Energy of Bozeman, and state Senator Shannon Augare
Shannon Augare
Shannon James Augare is a Democrat member of the Montana Legislature. He was elected for Senate District 8 in 2010. Previously he served the Montana House of Representatives, representing District 16 from 2007 until the end of 2010....
. Former U.S. Representative Pat Williams
John Patrick Williams
John Patrick "Pat" Williams is a former Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives from the state of Montana during the years 1979–1997....
and state Senator Dave Wanzenried have declined to run.
The declared Republican candidates include Chouteau County
Chouteau County, Montana
-National protected areas:* Lewis and Clark National Forest * Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument -Economy:Chouteau County is the largest winter wheat producer for the state of Montana...
commissioner Jim O'Hara, former state Senators
Montana Senate
The Montana Senate is the upper house of the Montana State Legislature, the state legislative branch of the U.S. state of Montana. The body is composed of 50 senators.-Composition of the Senate:-Officers:*Majority Whip: Greg Barkus...
Corey Stapleton
Corey Stapleton
Corey Stapleton is a Republican and former Montana State Senator of 8 years. He is currently running for the Governor's office in Montana.-Childhood:Corey was born in Seattle, Washington...
and Ken Miller, terrorism and national security analyst Neil Livingstone, former Congressman Rick Hill
Rick Hill
Richard "Rick" Hill is a former Republican member of the United States House of Representatives from Montana. He is currently a candidate for Governor of Montana in 2012.-Background:...
, and Truck driver Keith Winkler. Another potential Republican candidate includes state Senate Majority leader Jeff Essmann. Businessman Steve Daines
Steve Daines
Steve Daines is an American businessman and politician from Bozeman, Montana who was the Republican nominee for Lieutenant Governor of Montana in 2008, running on the ticket with Roy Brown, the Republican nominee for governor.-Early life:...
and Representative Denny Rehberg
Denny Rehberg
Dennis R. "Denny" Rehberg is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2001. He is a member of the Republican Party.-Early life, education and career:...
, who were speculated to be candidates, will instead run for the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate respectively.
John Lynch (New Hampshire)
GovernorGovernor of New Hampshire
The Governor of the State of New Hampshire is the supreme executive magistrate of the U.S. state of New Hampshire.The governor is elected at the biennial state general election in November of even-numbered years. New Hampshire is one of only two states, along with bordering Vermont, to hold...
John Lynch will retire rather than run for re-election.
Other potential candidates include Mark Connolly
Mark Connolly (public official)
Mark Connolly is the former Deputy Secretary of State and Director of New Hampshire Bureau of Securities Regulation. He held this position 2002 to 2009. He is a member of the Democratic Party....
, the former director of the New Hampshire Bureau of Securities Regulation; Margaret Wood Hassan
Margaret Wood Hassan
Margaret “Maggie” Wood Hassan is a former Majority Leader of the New Hampshire Senate. She represented the 23rd District from 2004 to 2010. She is a member of the Democratic Party. -Early life, education, and early career:...
, former state Senate Majority Leader; and former Portsmouth Mayor Steve Marchand
Steve Marchand
Steve Marchand is the former mayor of Portsmouth, New Hampshire. He was an early Democratic primary candidate for U.S. Senate for the 2008 election, but he dropped out of the race in 2007 and endorsed former Governor Jeanne Shaheen....
.
Former Chairman of the New Hampshire Board of Education Ovide Lamontagne, a Tea Party favorite who narrowly lost the Republican primary for Senate in 2010, is considering running. Other potential Republican candidates include state Senate Majority Leader and former U.S. Representative Jeb Bradley
Jeb Bradley
Joseph E. "Jeb" Bradley is a Republican member of the New Hampshire State Senate, currently serving as Senate Majority Leader. He represents his hometown of Wolfeboro, New Hampshire and 16 other towns in east-central New Hampshire. He was formerly a U.S...
, Mayor of Manchester Ted Gatsas
Ted Gatsas
Theodore "Ted" Gatsas is an American Republican politician. He is currently the Mayor of Manchester, New Hampshire. He was a member of the New Hampshire Senate, representing the 16th District from 2000 until he resigned in 2009 after being elected Mayor.Gatsas was educated at Manchester Central...
, former Health and Human Services Commissioner John Stephen
John Stephen (New Hampshire)
John Stephen was the 2010 Republican nominee for Governor of New Hampshire.-Education:Stephen graduated from Trinity High School in Manchester, New Hampshire. Stephen earned his Bachelor of Science from the Whittemore School of Business and Economics at the University of New Hampshire...
, former state Senator Bruce Keough, and conservative activist Kevin Smith.
New Hampshire
New Hampshire
New Hampshire is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state was named after the southern English county of Hampshire. It is bordered by Massachusetts to the south, Vermont to the west, Maine and the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Canadian...
does not have a position of Lieutenant Governor.
Christine Gregoire (Washington)
Governor Christine GregoireChristine Gregoire
Christine O'Grady "Chris" Gregoire is the 22nd and current Governor of the state of Washington, and a member of the Democratic Party. Gregoire defeated Republican candidate Dino Rossi in 2004, and again in 2008. She is the second female governor of Washington...
will retire rather than run for re-election.
U.S. Representative Jay Inslee
Jay Inslee
Jay Robert Inslee is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1999. He is a member of the Democratic Party. The district includes many of Seattle's northern suburbs in King, Snohomish, and Kitsap counties...
is the only declared Democratic candidate. Other potential Democratic candidates including state Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown, King County Executive Dow Constantine
Dow Constantine
Dow Constantine is an American politician in the state of Washington where he currently serves as King County Executive, an office he has held since November 2009. He was previously in the state legislature and on the King County Council, chairing the latter before his election as Executive...
, state Treasurer Jim McIntire
Jim McIntire
James McIntire was a gunfighter and Texas Ranger in the old west of the United States. He is best known for his autobiography, written in 1902 following a near death experience....
, Auditor General Brian Sonntag
Brian Sonntag
Brian Sonntag is the State Auditor for Washington and a Democrat.Sonntag was first elected to public office in 1978 as Pierce County Clerk, working as the administrative officer for the Superior Courts. On November 4, 1986, he was elected to the office of Pierce County Auditor, an office his...
, and Snohomish County
Snohomish County, Washington
Snohomish County is a county located in the U.S. state of Washington. It is named after the Snohomish tribe. Since 2000, the county's population has grown from 606,024 to 713,335 residents , making it one of the fastest-growing in the state, ranking third in overall population after King and...
Executive Aaron Reardon have declined to run, or endorsed Inslee.
State Attorney General Rob McKenna
Rob McKenna
Robert Marion "Rob" McKenna is the Republican Attorney General of Washington and was elected in November 2004 for a term beginning in January 2005. He won re-election in November 2008 with over 59 percent statewide...
and Pastor Shahram Hadian, are the announced Republicans in the race. Seattle Port Commission President Bill Bryant is considered a potential Republican candidate. U.S. Representative Dave Reichert
Dave Reichert
David George Reichert is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2005. He is a member of the Republican Party. He previously served as Sheriff of King County, Washington.-Early life, education and career:...
decided against a bid, and threw his support to McKenna.
The Lieutenant Governor
Lieutenant Governor of Washington
The Lieutenant Governor of Washington is an elected office in the U.S. state of Washington. The current incumbent is Brad Owen, a Democrat who has served since 1997...
will be elected separately.
Mitch Daniels (Indiana)
GovernorGovernor of Indiana
The Governor of Indiana is the chief executive of the state of Indiana. The governor is elected to a four-year term, and responsible for overseeing the day-to-day management of the functions of many agencies of the Indiana state government. The governor also shares power with other statewide...
Mitch Daniels
Mitch Daniels
Mitchell Elias "Mitch" Daniels, Jr. is the 49th and current Governor of the U.S. state of Indiana. A Republican, he began his first four-year term as governor on January 10, 2005, and was elected to his second term by an 18-point margin on November 4, 2008. Previously, he was the Director of the...
will be term-limited in 2012.
Mike Pence
Mike Pence
Michael Richard "Mike" Pence is the U.S. Representative for Indiana's , and previously the , serving since 2001. The 6th district covers much of Eastern Indiana. He is a member of the Republican Party....
, a Republican currently serving his sixth term in the U.S. House of Representatives, has announced his candidacy for his party's nomination. Pence, whose announcement was anticipated by his resignation of a leading position in the GOP caucus in the House, is regarded as the favorite for election. Indianapolis businessman and former Hamilton County Councilman Jim Wallace
Jim Wallace (politician)
Jim Wallace is an Indianapolis businessman and former Fishers Town Council and Hamilton County Council member in the state of Indiana...
had announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination prior to Pence's entrance. Other potential candidates include Superintendent of Public Education Tony Bennett
Tony Bennett
Tony Bennett is an American singer of popular music, standards, show tunes, and jazz....
, state House Speaker Brian Bosma
Brian Bosma
Brian C. Bosma is an American politician. He has been a Republican member of the Indiana House of Representatives since 1986, and served as Indiana Speaker of the House during the 2005 and 2006 sessions, and again became Speaker in 2011....
, former state Attorney General Steve Carter, Indiana Republican Party
Indiana Republican Party
The Indiana Republican Party is the affiliate of the United States Republican Party in the state of Indiana. The chairman of the Indiana Republican State Committee is Eric Holcomb, a former aide of Indiana's sitting Governor Mitch Daniels.-Platform:...
Chairman Murray Clark, and President Pro Tempore of the Indiana state Senate David Long
David Long
David Long is a New Zealand musician who played in the Six Volts and The Mutton Birds. He has composed music for several films, including Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings. He produced Fur Patrol's debut album Pet...
.
Former state House Speaker John R. Gregg
John R. Gregg
John R. Gregg is an American politician, attorney and author. He was a state representative in the Indiana House of Representatives from 1986–2002. He served as Speaker of the Indiana House from 1996–2002 and Majority Leader from 1990–1994. Gregg was named “Public Official of the Year” in 2002 by...
and Landscaping Contractor Thomas Lenfert will be running for the Democratic nomination. Former Lake county Sheriff Roy Dominguez is also a potential candidate.
Jay Nixon (Missouri)
Governor Jay NixonJay Nixon
Jeremiah Wilson "Jay" Nixon, Sr. is the 55th and current Governor of the U.S. state of Missouri. A member of the Democratic Party, he previously served as Missouri's Attorney General before his election in 2008.-Political career:...
will be eligible to run for re-election, and will do so.
Potential Republican candidates include Lt. Governor Peter Kinder
Peter Kinder
Peter D. Kinder is an American politician from the U.S. state of Missouri. He was elected Lieutenant Governor of Missouri in 2004 as Matt Blunt was elected Governor. Kinder was reelected in 2008 at the same time Jay Nixon was elected Governor. Kinder is a member of the Republican Party...
and state Senator Jason Glennon Crowell
Jason Glennon Crowell
Jason Glennon Crowell is a state senator from the U.S. state of Missouri currently serving his second term in the Missouri Senate. He succeeded the seat previously held by Lieutenant Governor Peter Kinder...
.
The Lieutenant Governor will be elected separately.
Beverly Perdue (North Carolina)
GovernorGovernor of North Carolina
The Governor of North Carolina is the chief executive of the State of North Carolina, one of the U.S. states. The current governor is Bev Perdue, North Carolina's first female governor.-Powers:...
Beverly Perdue will be eligible to run for re-election, and has stated that she will run.
Potential Republican candidates include former Mayor of Charlotte
Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009...
Pat McCrory (the 2008 Republican nominee for Governor); Nido Qubein
Nido Qubein
Nido Qubein is a businessman, motivational speaker, and has been President of High Point University since 2005. He received his Associate's Degree in Business from Mount Olive College, where he was a member of Delta Pi Delta fraternity. He received his Bachelor's Degree in Human Relations from High...
, President of High Point University; Tom Fetzer
Tom Fetzer
Thomas Harrison Fetzer served three two-year terms as Mayor of Raleigh, North Carolina from December 1993 to December 1999...
, former Mayor of Raleigh; and former state Senator Fred Smith
Fred Smith (politician)
Fred Smith is a North Carolina politician who served in the North Carolina Senate and ran for Governor of North Carolina in 2008.-Early life and education:...
.
The Lieutenant Governor
Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina
The Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina is the second highest elected official in the U.S. state of North Carolina and is the only elected official to have powers in both the legislative and executive branches of state government...
will be elected separately.
Earl Ray Tomblin (West Virginia)
see also: West Virginia gubernatorial special election, 2011West Virginia gubernatorial special election, 2011
The 2011 West Virginia gubernatorial election was a special election held on October 4, 2011 to fill the office of the West Virginia Governor. The office became vacant upon the resignation of Governor Joe Manchin, who was elected to fill the seat of Robert Byrd in the United States Senate in 2010...
The Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia
Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia
The Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia is the state supreme court of West Virginia, the highest of West Virginia's state courts. It is located in the state capital, Charleston....
ruled on January 18, 2011 that the state must hold a special gubernatorial election in 2011 to fill the vacancy resulting from Joe Manchin
Joe Manchin
Joseph "Joe" Manchin III is the junior United States Senator representing West Virginia. Manchin, a Democrat, was Governor of West Virginia from 2005 to 2010...
's election to the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
. The special election occurred October 4, 2011 with state Senate President
West Virginia Senate
The West Virginia Senate is the upper house of the West Virginia Legislature.There are 17 senatorial districts. Each district has two senators who serve staggered four-year terms....
and acting Governor Earl Ray Tomblin
Earl Ray Tomblin
Earl Ray Tomblin is an American politician who serves as the 35th and current Governor of West Virginia. Tomblin is a member of the Democratic Party. Tomblin has served as President of the West Virginia State Senate for over 16 years. He became Acting Governor in 2010 following Joe Manchin's...
winning the election. Tomblin will be eligible to run for a full term in 2012 and has indicated he will do so. Mike Stuart, the chairman of the West Virginia Republican Party
West Virginia Republican Party
The West Virginia Republican Party is the affiliate of the United States Republican Party in West Virginia. As of 2010, it is headed by Mike Stuart, State Chairman.-Current elected officials:...
has announced he is not running for Governor.
Tomblin's 2011 Republican opponent, businessman Bill Maloney
Bill Maloney
Bill Maloney is a businessman and was the candidate for the Republican Party in the 2011 special election for governor of West Virginia, in which he lost....
, has filed paperwork for a rematch.
The Lieutenant Governor will be elected by the State Senate
West Virginia Senate
The West Virginia Senate is the upper house of the West Virginia Legislature.There are 17 senatorial districts. Each district has two senators who serve staggered four-year terms....
.
Jack Markell (Delaware)
Governor Jack Markell will be eligible to run for re-election, but has so far not announced if he will do so.A Potential Republican candidate is former state House Speaker Terry R. Spence
Terry R. Spence
Terry R. Spence is a United States statesman and politician from New Castle, in New Castle County, Delaware. He is a member of the Republican Party, who served in the Delaware General Assembly as Speaker of the Delaware House of Representatives. He was defeated in the 2008 election by Democrat...
.
The Lieutenant Governor
Lieutenant Governor of Delaware
The Lieutenant Governor of Delaware is the second ranking executive officer of the U.S. state of Delaware. Lieutenant Governors are elected for a term of four years in the same general election as the U.S. President and take office the following January....
will be elected separately.
Peter Shumlin (Vermont)
GovernorGovernor of Vermont
The Governor of Vermont is the governor of the U.S. state of Vermont. The governor is elected in even numbered years by direct voting for a term of two years; Vermont and bordering New Hampshire are the only states to hold gubernatorial elections every two years, instead of every four...
Peter Shumlin, the victor of the Vermont gubernatorial election of 2010
Vermont gubernatorial election, 2010
The 2010 Vermont gubernatorial general election took place on November 2, 2010. Vermont is one of only two states where the Governor serves for a two-year term . The statewide primary election took place on August 24, 2010.On August 27, 2009, incumbent Republican Governor Jim Douglas announced he...
, will be eligible to run again in 2012, but has so far not announced if he will do so.
Thom Lauzon, the Mayor of Barre, has been mentioned as a potential Republican candidate. Others include former Lt. Governor Brian Dubie
Brian Dubie
Brian E. Dubie is an American politician and former 78th Lieutenant Governor of Vermont. He served four terms as Vermont’s lieutenant governor...
, state Senator Randy Brock
Randy Brock
Randolph D. "Randy" Brock is a Vermont Republican politician. He served as Vermont Auditor of Accounts from 2005 to 2007.-Biography:...
, Vermont Auditor of Accounts
Vermont Auditor of Accounts
The Vermont State Auditor of Accounts is one of five constitutional officers in Vermont, elected statewide every two years. The Office provides an independent and objective assessment of Vermont's governmental operations....
Thomas M. Salmon
Thomas M. Salmon
- Early life :Salmon was born in Bellows Falls, Vermont. He graduated from Bellows Falls Union High School and attended Worcester Academy as a postgraduate year and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from Boston College...
, current Lt. Governor Phillip Scott
Phillip Scott (Vermont)
Phil Scott is an American politician from the State of Vermont. Scott is a Republican. He served five terms in the Vermont Senate representing the Washington County Senate District. He was the Vice-Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee and Chair of the Senate Institutions Committee...
, and attorney Mark Snelling.
The Lieutenant Governor will be elected separately.
Luis Fortuño (Puerto Rico)
GovernorGovernor of Puerto Rico
The Governor of Puerto Rico is the Head of Government of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Since 1948, the Governor has been elected by the people of Puerto Rico...
Luis Fortuño
Luis Fortuño
Luis Guillermo Fortuño Burset is the governor of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, a territory of the United States of America. Fortuño is also the president of the New Progressive Party of Puerto Rico , a member of the Republican National Committee, and will be president of the Council of State...
(PNP
New Progressive Party of Puerto Rico
The New Progressive Party of Puerto Rico is a political party that advocates for Puerto Rico's admission to the United States of America as the 51st state...
/R) will be eligible to run for re-election, and will do so.
Fortuño had been mentioned as a long-shot potential Republican nominee for President or Vice President in 2012
United States presidential election, 2012
The United States presidential election of 2012 is the next United States presidential election, to be held on Tuesday, November 6, 2012. It will be the 57th quadrennial presidential election in which presidential electors, who will actually elect the President and the Vice President of the United...
. However, he announced on June 26, 2011 that he would run for re-election instead of seeking the Presidency.
Senator
Senate of Puerto Rico
The Senate of Puerto Rico is the upper house of the Legislative Assembly of Puerto Rico, the territorial legislature of Puerto Rico. The Senate is composed of 27 senators, representing eight constituent senatorial districts across the commonwealth, with two senators elected per district; an...
Alejandro García Padilla
Alejandro García Padilla
Alejandro García Padilla is a Puerto Rican Senator, President of the Popular Democratic Party of Puerto Rico, and candidate for Governor of Puerto Rico as of March 2011.- Early years and studies :...
(PPD
Popular Democratic Party of Puerto Rico
The Popular Democratic Party of Puerto Rico is a political party that supports Puerto Rico's right to self-determination and sovereignty, through the enhancement of Puerto Rico's current status as a commonwealth....
/D) is currently the only announced challenger.
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
does not have a position of Lieutenant Governor.
Jack Dalrymple (North Dakota)
GovernorGovernor of North Dakota
The Governor of North Dakota is the chief executive of North Dakota. The current Governor is Jack Dalrymple. The Governor has the right to sign and laws, and to call the Legislative Assembly, into emergency session. The Governor is also chairman of the North Dakota Industrial Commission. The...
Jack Dalrymple
Jack Dalrymple
John "Jack" Dalrymple is a North Dakota politician and businessman who is the current Governor of North Dakota, and a one-time candidate for the U.S. Senate in 1992. Dalrymple became governor after the resignation of John Hoeven, who was elected to the U.S...
succeeded John Hoeven
John Hoeven
John Henry Hoeven III is the junior United States Senator from North Dakota. He is a member of the North Dakota Republican Party. He is expected to become the state's senior senator when Kent Conrad retires from the Senate in January 2013.Hoeven served as the 31st Governor of North Dakota,...
after the latter was elected Senator and will have the option to run in 2012 for a full term. Other potential Republican candidates include architect Paul Sorum and Lt. Governor Drew Wrigley
Drew Wrigley
Drew Wrigley is the 37th and current Lieutenant Governor of North Dakota. He was appointed by Governor Jack Dalrymple on December 7, 2010. Wrigley previously served as U.S...
. Former United States Secretary of Agriculture
United States Secretary of Agriculture
The United States Secretary of Agriculture is the head of the United States Department of Agriculture. The current secretary is Tom Vilsack, who was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on 20 January 2009. The position carries similar responsibilities to those of agriculture ministers in other...
and Governor Ed Schafer will not run.
Potential Democratic candidates include former Representative
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
Earl Pomeroy
Earl Pomeroy
Earl Pomeroy is a lobbyist and former U.S. Representative for , serving from 1993 until 2011. He is a member of the North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party.- Early life, education and career :...
, former Agriculture Commissioner Roger Johnson
Roger Johnson (North Dakota)
Roger Johnson is the immediate past North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner. He is a member of the North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party. He was first elected in 1996 and re-elected in 2000, 2004, and 2006. Johnson served as the president of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture ...
, State School Superintendent Wayne G. Sanstead
Wayne G. Sanstead
Wayne Godfrey Sanstead is the current North Dakota Superintendent of Public Instruction. Sanstead holds a doctorate from the University of North Dakota in secondary education. Sanstead is the longest serving chief state school officer in the United States...
, former state Attorney General Heidi Heitkamp
Heidi Heitkamp
Heidi Heitkamp is a lawyer and politician from the U.S. state of North Dakota. She served as the 28th attorney general of the state from 1993 to 2001. She ran on the Democratic-NPL ticket for governor in 2000, losing to John Hoeven. She was considering a bid for the Democratic nomination for the...
, and state Senate Minority Leader Ryan Taylor
Ryan Taylor (North Dakota politician)
Ryan M. Taylor is a North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party member of the North Dakota Senate, representing the 7th district since 2003. He has been the Senate Minority Leader since 2010....
.
Gary Herbert (Utah)
Governor Gary Herbert, who won the 2010 special gubernatorial electionUtah gubernatorial election, 2010
The 2010 Utah gubernatorial election took place November 2, 2010. It was a special election to fill the remainder of Jon Huntsman's term. Governor Huntsman resigned on 11 August 2009, to become United States Ambassador to China...
to finish his predecessor's unfinished term, will have the option of running for a full four year term in 2012.
Jennifer Duffy of the Cook Political Report
Cook Political Report
The Cook Political Report is an independent, non-partisan online newsletter that analyzes elections and campaigns for the United States House of Representatives, the United States Senate, Governor's offices and the American Presidency. The Cook Political Report is led by a staff of five...
in September 2010 suggested that the 2010 contest "may be a practice run for 2012 when the seat is up again." However, Corroon has not made any announcement as to whether he will run in 2012. Current names being discussed in Utah as possible GOP Convention contenders are: former State Representative Craig Frank (R); CEO of American Resource Petroleum Corp. William Skokos; and State Senator John Valentine (R-Orem).