The 2012 Washington Gubernatorial Election took place on November 6, 2012. Candidates in the election were chosen in an August 7, 2012, 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.
Incumbent Governor Christine Gregoire decided to retire rather than seek a third term. On March 20, 2012, Jay Inslee left Congress to focus on his campaign for Governor of Washington.
Inslee competed against Republican Rob McKenna in the general election, which took place on November 7. Inslee won the election, and McKenna conceded three days later.
Candidates
Democratic
- Jay Inslee, U.S. Representative
- Rob Hill
Declined
- Lisa Brown, State Senate Majority Leader
- Dow Constantine, King County Executive
- Christine Gregoire, incumbent Governor
- Jim McIntire, State Treasurer
- Aaron Reardon, Snohomish County Executive
- Ron Sims, former King County Executive and Deputy Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
- Brian Sonntag, State Auditor General
Republican
- Shahram Hadian, pastor and small business owner
- Javier O. Lopez
- Rob McKenna, Attorney General of Washington
- Max Sampson
Declined
- Dave Reichert, U.S. Representative
Independent
- L. Dale Sorgen, computer programmer and former pastor
- James White
- Christian Joubert
Results
General election
Candidates
- Jay Inslee (Democratic), former U.S. Representative
- Rob McKenna (Republican), Attorney General
Debates
- Complete video of debate, C-SPAN, October 2, 2012
Polling
General Election Results
The race was close throughout the night, with results too close to call after 60 percent of ballots were cast. Inslee was declared the winner early the next morning; McKenna conceded later in the evening.
Inslee won only eight of the state's 39 counties, relying on heavy votes from the Seattle metropolitan area pushing him to victory.
See also
- Washington Gubernatorial election, 2016
References
External links
- Elections & Voting at the Washington Secretary of State office
- Campaign sites
- Jay Inslee for Governor
