2012 Montana gubernatorial election

none related races 2012 United States gubernatorial elections January 2025 September 2023 2012 Montana gubernatorial election Montana presidential no 2008 Montana gubernatorial election 2008 2016 Montana gubernatorial election 2016 2012 11 6 Steve Bullock 10-31-2012 (cropped).jpg 150x150px Steve Bullock Democratic Party (United States) John Walsh 236,450 48.90% Image:RickHill2 (cropped).jpg Rick Hill Republican Party (United States) Jon Sonju 228,879 47.34% 2012 Montana gubernatorial election results map by county.svg 299px County resultsBullock: #a5b0ff 40–50% #7996e2 50–60% #6674de 60–70% #584cde 70–80%Hill: #ffb2b2 40–50% #e27f7f 50–60% #d75d5d 60–70% #d72f30 70–80% #c21b18 80–90% Governor Brian Schweitzer Democratic Party (United States) Steve Bullock Democratic Party (United States) 72.18%2.32https://sosmt.gov/elections/voter-turnout/ Montana Voter Turnout Montana Secretary of State - Christi Jacobsen 22 February 2018 2022-05-26 The 2012 Montana gubernatorial election took place on November 6, 2012, to elect the governor of Montana. Incumbent Democratic Governor Brian Schweitzer was term-limited and could not run for re-election to a third term. Montana Attorney General Steve Bullock won the Democratic primary with 87% of the vote, and former U.S. Representative Rick Hill won the Republican primary with 34% of the vote. In the general election, Bullock won by 7,571 votes, taking 48.9% of the vote to Hill's 47.3%.Michael Barone, et al. The Almanac of American Politics 2014 (2013) (Kindle Locations 48242-48245). With a margin of 1.6%, this election was the second-closest race of the 2012 gubernatorial election cycle, behind only the election in Puerto Rico. Due to the close margin, media outlets did not call the race for Bullock until the next day.https://mtstandard.com/news/state-and-regional/networks-declare-bullock-winner-in-tight-race-for-governor/article_612a52fb-6e9e-59a0-9707-a99cba364cfd.html Networks declare Bullock winner in tight race for governor Charles S. Johnson Montana Standard 6 November 2012 This was the last time anyone other than Greg Gianforte was the Republican nominee. Democratic primary Candidates Declared Steve Bullock, Montana attorney generalhttps://www.politico.com/blogs/david-catanese/2011/09/bullock-joins-montana-governors-race-038956 Bullock joins Montana governor's race September 7, 2011 September 7, 2011 Politico David Catanese Running mate: John Walsh, brigadier general and former adjutant general in the Montana National Guardhttp://helenair.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/elections/bullock-makes-pick-of-walsh-as-running-mate-official/article_d15396fa-69b6-11e1-8d0c-001871e3ce6c.html Bullock makes pick of Walsh as running mate official March 9, 2012 March 11, 2012 Independent Record Charles S. Johnson Heather Margolis, Montana representative for community service organization ServeNext Running mate: Steve Nelsen, founder of the Montana Conservation Corpshttp://www.kxlf.com/news/democrats-margolis-and-nelsen-enter-race-for-mt-governor/ https://archive.today/20130127152509/http://www.kxlf.com/news/democrats-margolis-and-nelsen-enter-race-for-mt-governor/ dead January 27, 2013 Democrats Margolis & Nelsen enter race for MT Governor March 12, 2012 March 14, 2012 KXLF-TV Marnee Banks Withdrew Larry Jent, state senatorhttp://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/montana/jent-drops-out-of-governor-s-race-leaving-bullock-as/article_a1f2c941-328e-5d91-b9dc-cda317b7d4ff.html Jent drops out of governor's race, leaving Bullock as lone Democrat March 8, 2012 March 9, 2012 Billings Gazette Charles S. Johnson Declined John Bohlinger, lieutenant governor of Montanahttp://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/montana/article_81d72166-4d61-5211-81b7-1920a717e174.html Bohlinger, Essmann eye governor's race June 12, 2011 June 15, 2011 Billings Gazette Charles S. Johnson Carl Borgquist, president of Grasslands Renewable Energy of Bozeman Dave Wanzenried, state senatorhttp://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/montana/article_50550ded-d513-5b2d-b7f8-af02a603e060.html#ixzz1RRxM0oBg Wanzenried ends run for governor Charles S. Johnson Billings Gazette 7 July 2011 Pat Williams, former U.S. representativehttp://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/montana/article_1be5c30c-bf61-11df-8d34-001cc4c03286.html Pat Williams not running for governor September 13, 2010 January 17, 2011 Billings Gazette Charles S. Johnson Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror SteveBullock LarryJent Other UndecidedPublic Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling November 28–30, 2011 573 ± 4.1% 70% 6% — 24% Results Democratic primary resultshttp://sos.mt.gov/Elections/2012/Primary/2012_PRIMARY_STATEWIDE_CANVASS.PDF 2012 STATEWIDE PRIMARY ELECTION CANVASS September 24, 2012 Secretary of State of Montana dead https://web.archive.org/web/20130121105908/http://sos.mt.gov/Elections/2012/Primary/2012_PRIMARY_STATEWIDE_CANVASS.PDF January 21, 2013 Steve Bullock Democratic Party (United States) 76,738 86.6 Heather Margolis Democratic Party (United States) 11,823 13.4 88,561 100.0 Republican primary Candidates Declared Bob Fanning, retired businessmanhttp://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/montana/article_e66e393c-83c6-515c-a08d-dc2def3e0038.html 3 more GOP candidates running for governor October 4, 2011 October 5, 2011 Billings Gazette Charles S. Johnson Running mate: Joel Boniek, former state representativehttp://www.krtv.com/news/long-list-of-candidates-running-for-u-s-house-and-mt-governor/ https://archive.today/20130127101528/http://www.krtv.com/news/long-list-of-candidates-running-for-u-s-house-and-mt-governor/ dead January 27, 2013 Long list of candidates running for U.S. House & MT Governor March 12, 2012 March 14, 2012 KRTV Marnee Banks Former running mate: Chuck Baldwin, pastor and Constitution Party nominee for president in 2008 (dropped out February 2012)http://www.ktvq.com/news/mt-gubernatorial-candidate-fanning-loses-running-mate/ MT gubernatorial candidate Fanning loses running mate February 13, 2012 March 11, 2012 KTVQ Marnee Banks https://web.archive.org/web/20150119003517/http://www.ktvq.com/news/mt-gubernatorial-candidate-fanning-loses-running-mate/ January 19, 2015 dead mdy-all Rick Hill, former U.S. representativehttp://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/montana/article_a6977f7b-8c67-57cf-8905-4d2f433a8328.html Former GOP U.S. Rep. Rick Hill to run for Montana governor November 6, 2010 January 17, 2011 Billings Gazette Charles S. Johnson Running mate: Jon Sonju, state senatorhttp://www.flatheadbeacon.com/articles/article/rick_hill_announces_jon_sonju_as_gubernatorial_running_mate/26232 Rick Hill Announces Jon Sonju as Gubernatorial Running Mate January 18, 2012 March 11, 2012 Flathead Beacon Myers Reece Neil Livingstone, terrorism and national security analysthttp://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/montana/article_35b0d126-360a-11e0-af3d-001cc4c03286.html Terrorism expert files for Montana governor's race February 12, 2011 February 12, 2011 Associated Press Running mate: Ryan Zinke, state senatorhttp://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/montana/article_02507b80-0c12-5767-a262-b21a8f35ee6e.html Livingstone taps Zinke as running mate July 10, 2011 March 11, 2012 Billings Gazette Charles S. Johnson Jim Lynch, former Montana Department of Transportation directorhttp://www.ktvq.com/news/jim-lynch-announces-candidacy-for-governor/ Jim Lynch announces candidacy for Governor October 13, 2011 October 14, 2011 KTVQ https://web.archive.org/web/20111023163337/http://www.ktvq.com/news/jim-lynch-announces-candidacy-for-governor/ October 23, 2011 dead mdy-all Running mate: Al Olszewski, orthopedic surgeon and Carroll College trusteehttp://www.krtv.com/news/lynch-names-olszewski-as-running-mate-in-mt-governor-race/ https://archive.today/20130127105141/http://www.krtv.com/news/lynch-names-olszewski-as-running-mate-in-mt-governor-race/ dead January 27, 2013 Lynch names Olszewski as running mate in MT governor race March 12, 2012 March 14, 2012 KRTV David Sherman Ken Miller, former state senator and former chairman of the Montana Republican Partyhttp://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/montana/article_e31f3212-a3cf-11df-a5aa-001cc4c002e0.html Republican former state senator from Laurel formally enters 2012 governor's race August 9, 2010 January 17, 2011 Billings Gazette Mike Dennison Running mate: Bill Gallagher, public service commissionerhttp://www.flatheadbeacon.com/articles/article/ken_miller_announces_bill_gallagher_as_gubernatorial_running_mate/26517 Ken Miller Announces Bill Gallagher as Gubernatorial Running Mate February 6, 2012 March 11, 2012 Flathead Beacon Myers Reece Jim O'Hara, Chouteau County Commissionerhttp://www.kfbb.com/news/local/Jim-OHara-Announces-Candidacy-for-Governor-113650059.html Jim O'Hara Announces Candidacy for Governor January 14, 2011 January 17, 2011 KFBB-TV Charlie Keegan dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110713145346/http://www.kfbb.com/news/local/Jim-OHara-Announces-Candidacy-for-Governor-113650059.html July 13, 2011 Running mate: Scott Swingley, private investigator and former trooper in the Montana Highway Patrolhttp://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/montana/o-hara-picks-retired-mhp-officer-as-running-mate/article_8291361c-e8c1-5c19-bf21-5424f8750c28.html O'Hara picks retired MHP officer as running mate February 7, 2012 March 11, 2012 Billings Gazette Charles S. Johnson Corey Stapleton, former state senatorhttp://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/montana/article_fe83f456-93c2-11df-8b0a-001cc4c03286.html Stapleton bidding for governor July 19, 2010 January 17, 2011 Billings Gazette Charles S. Johnson Running mate: Bob Keenan, former president of the Montana Senatehttp://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/montana/stapleton-picks-keenan-for-running-mate/article_c10702e7-f084-5225-979d-69807eddfd24.html Stapleton picks Keenan for running mate February 7, 2012 March 11, 2012 Billings Gazette Charles S. Johnson Withdrew Jeff Essmann, majority leader of the Montana Senatehttp://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/montana/essmann-drops-out-of-gop-race-for-governor/article_a4c32a88-7efc-5a4d-8326-b4b510a21eed.html Essmann drops out of GOP race for governor Billingsgazette.com 27 January 2012 5 January 2018 Drew Turiano, real estate investor January 2018Turiano Drops Gubernatorial Bid https://flatheadbeacon.com/2012/01/17/turiano-drops-gubernatorial-bid/ 11 March 2021 Flathead Beacon 17 January 2012 en Declined Denny Rehberg, U.S. representative (ran for the U.S. Senate)http://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/montana/article_0df2c73d-030d-5989-84cb-c09c1b92efe9.html Rehberg focusing on current job November 11, 2010 January 17, 2011 Billings Gazette Charles S. Johnson Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror JeffEssmann BobFanning RickHill NeilLivingstone JimLynch KenMiller JimO'Hara CoreyStapleton Other/UndecidedPublic Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling April 26–29, 2012 403 ± 4.88% — 1% 33% 5% 4% 12% 4% 7% 35%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling November 28–30, 2011 700 ± 3.7% 5% 1% 37% 3% 4% 10% 3% 2% 35% Results thumb|300px|Primary results by county: Hill #d60f0f Hill—51-60% #ff0000 Hill—41-50% #f29b8a Hill—31-40% #f8dbd5 Hill—21-30% Stapleton #f2f2a0 Stapleton—31-40% #f8f8cc Stapleton—21-30% Miller #006400 Miller—51-60% #59d622 Miller—41-50% #90ee90 Miller—31-40% #bfff92 Miller—21-30% O'Hara #154bef O'Hara—51-60% #00ffff O'Hara—31-40% Republican primary results Rick Hill Republican Party (United States) 46,802 34.4 Corey Stapleton Republican Party (United States) 24,661 18.1 Ken Miller Republican Party (United States) 24,496 18.0 Jim O'Hara Republican Party (United States) 16,653 12.2 Neil Livingstone Republican Party (United States) 12,038 8.8 Jim Lynch Republican Party (United States) 8,323 6.1 Bob Fanning Republican Party (United States) 3,087 2.3 136,060 100.0 General election Candidates Steve Bullock (D), Montana attorney general Running mate: John Walsh, brigadier general and former adjutant general in the Montana National Guard Rick Hill (R), former U.S. representative Running mate: Jon Sonju, state senator Ron Vandevender (Libertarian), businessmanhttp://helenair.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/governor-candidates-talk-about-state-economy/article_d4a2f096-636f-11e1-bbbd-001871e3ce6c.html Governor candidates talk about state economy March 1, 2012 March 14, 2012 Independent Record Charles S. Johnson Running mate: Marc Mulcahy Debate Complete video of debate, C-SPAN, October 10, 2012 Predictions Source Ranking As of The Cook Political Report2012 Governor Race Ratings for November 1, 2012 https://www.cookpolitical.com/ratings/governor-race-ratings/139101 The Cook Political Report November 30, 2018 Tossup November 1, 2012 Sabato's Crystal BallPROJECTION: OBAMA WILL LIKELY WIN SECOND TERM http://crystalball.centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/articles/projection-obama-will-likely-win-second-term/ Sabato's Crystal Ball November 30, 2018 December 1, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20181201094552/http://crystalball.centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/articles/projection-obama-will-likely-win-second-term/ dead Lean R Flip November 5, 2012 Rothenberg Political Report2012 Gubernatorial Ratings http://www.insideelections.com/ratings/governor/2012-gubernatorial-ratings-november-2-2012 Gubernatorial Ratings The Rothenberg Political Report November 30, 2018 Tossup November 2, 2012 Real Clear Politics2012 Elections Map - 2012 Governor Races https://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2012/governor/2012_elections_governor_map.html Real Clear Politics November 30, 2018 Tossup November 5, 2012 Polling Aggregate polls Source of pollaggregationDatesadministeredDatesupdated SteveBullock (D) RickHill (R) Other/UndecidedCalculated by taking the difference of 100% and all other candidates combined.MarginReal Clear PoliticsReal Clear PoliticsSeptember 27 – November 3, 2012November 3, 201244.0%45.7%10.3%Hill +1.7% Opinion polling for the 2012 Montana gubernatorial election.chart Opinion polling for the 2012 Montana gubernatorial election.tab 700px Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror SteveBullock (D) RickHill (R) Other UndecidedPublic Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling November 2–3, 2012 836 ± 3.4% 48% 48% 2% 2%Mason-DixonMason-Dixon October 29–31, 2012 625 ± 4.0% 46% 49% 2% 3%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling October 8–10, 2012 737 ± 3.6% 42% 43% 8% 7%Montana State UniversityMontana State University September 27–30, 2012 477 ± 4.6% 38% 40% 2% 20%Mason-DixonMason-Dixon September 17–19, 2012 625 ± 4.0% 44% 43% 2% 11%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling September 10–11, 2012 656 ± 3.2% 44% 39% 8% 9%Public Policy Polling April 26–29, 2012 934 ± 3.2% 39% 39% — 21%Public Policy Polling November 28–30, 2011 1,625 ± 2.4% 38% 39% — 23%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling June 16–19, 2011 819 ± 3.4% 37% 39% — 23%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling November 10–13, 2010 1,176 ± 2.9% 31% 41% — 28% background:#cff Hypothetical polling border:solid 1px silver; padding:8px; background:var(--background-color-base); color:var(--color-base); With Bohlinger Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror JohnBohlinger (D) JeffEssmann (R) Other UndecidedPublic Policy Polling June 16–19, 2011 819 ± 3.4% 40% 33% — 28% Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror JohnBohlinger (D) RickHill (R) Other UndecidedPublic Policy Polling June 16–19, 2011 819 ± 3.4% 39% 40% — 21% Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror JohnBohlinger (D) KenMiller (R) Other UndecidedPublic Policy Polling June 16–19, 2011 819 ± 3.4% 39% 33% — 28% With Bullock Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror SteveBullock (D) JeffEssmann (R) Other UndecidedPublic Policy Polling November 28–30, 2011 1,625 ± 2.4% 42% 30% — 28%Public Policy Polling June 16–19, 2011 819 ± 3.4% 38% 33% — 28% Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror SteveBullock (D) NeilLivingstone (R) Other UndecidedPublic Policy Polling November 28–30, 2011 1,625 ± 2.4% 41% 29% — 30% Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror SteveBullock (D) KenMiller (R) Other UndecidedPublic Policy Polling April 26–29, 2012 934 ± 3.2% 41% 35% — 24%Public Policy Polling November 28–30, 2011 1,625 ± 2.4% 40% 31% — 29%Public Policy Polling June 16–19, 2011 819 ± 3.4% 38% 34% — 28% With Jent Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror LarryJent (D) RickHill (R) Other UndecidedPublic Policy Polling November 28–30, 2011 1,625 ± 2.4% 26% 39% — 35% Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror LarryJent (D) NeilLivingstone (R) Other UndecidedPublic Policy Polling November 28–30, 2011 1,625 ± 2.4% 26% 30% — 44% Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror LarryJent (D) KenMiller (R) Other UndecidedPublic Policy Polling November 28–30, 2011 1,625 ± 2.4% 25% 33% — 42% With Wanzenried Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror DaveWanzenried (D) JeffEssmann (R) Other UndecidedPublic Policy Polling June 16–19, 2011 819 ± 3.4% 31% 33% — 36% Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror DaveWanzenried (D) RickHill (R) Other UndecidedPublic Policy Polling June 16–19, 2011 819 ± 3.4% 30% 40% — 30% Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror DaveWanzenried (D) KenMiller (R) Other UndecidedPublic Policy Polling June 16–19, 2011 819 ± 3.4% 30% 35% — 35% Results 2012 Montana gubernatorial electionhttps://sosmt.gov/wp-content/uploads/attachments/2012_General_Canvass.pdf?dt=1480457264103&dt=1480523087997&dt=1483636395345&dt=1484090685147&dt=1484090818653&dt=1484091059850&dt=1484092785123&dt=1484668556665&dt=1484676687552&dt=1485286813335&dt=1485286979901&dt=1491412807839&dt=1494348815885&dt=1494348873534&dt=1497553987845&dt=1497555053569&dt=1497555121034&dt=1497555299184&dt=1497892315130&dt=1519325848767 2012 Statewide General Election Canvass Montana Secretary of State January 13, 2019 Democratic Party (United States) Steve Bullock 236,450 48.90% -16.57% Republican Party (United States) Rick Hill 228,879 47.34% +14.82% Libertarian Party (United States) Ron Vandevender 18,160 3.76% +1.75% 483,489 100.00% N/A Democratic Party (United States) Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican 20em Beaverhead (largest city: Dillon) Broadwater (largest city: Townsend) Carbon (largest city: Red Lodge) Chouteau (largest municipality: Fort Benton) Custer (largest city: Miles City) Daniels (largest city: Scobey) Dawson (largest city: Glendive) Fallon (largest city: Baker) Fergus (largest city: Lewistown) Flathead (largest city: Kalispell) Golden Valley (largest city: Ryegate) Granite (largest city: Philipsburg) Jefferson (largest city: Clancy) Judith Basin (largest city: Stanford) Liberty (largest city: Chester) Lincoln (largest city: Libby) Madison (largest city: Ennis) McCone (largest city: Circle) Mineral (largest city: Superior) Park (largest city: Livingston) Phillips (largest city: Malta) Pondera (largest city: Conrad) Powell (largest city: Deer Lodge) Prairie (largest city: Terry) Ravalli (largest city: Hamilton) Richland (largest city: Sidney) Rosebud (largest city: Colstrip) Sanders (largest city: Thompson Falls) Sheridan (Largest city: Plentywood) Stillwater (largest city: Columbus) Teton (largest city: Choteau) Toole (largest city: Shelby) Treasure (largest city: Hysham) Valley (largest city: Glasgow) Wheatland (largest city: Harlowton) Wibaux (largest city: Wibaux) Yellowstone (largest city: Billings) Notes References External links Elections and Government – Montana Secretary of State Official campaign websites (archived) Steve Bullock for Governor Rick Hill for Governor Ron Vandevender for Governor Montana Governor 2012 Category:Steve Bullock (American politician) Category:November 2012 in the United States