2012 Montana gubernatorial election

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Thistheman (talk | contribs) at 22:18, 24 September 2012 (adding corrected link to primary results; adding new mason-dixon poll). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Revision as of 22:18, 24 September 2012 by Thistheman (talk | contribs) (adding corrected link to primary results; adding new mason-dixon poll)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)

Montana gubernatorial election, 2012

← 2008

November 6, 2012 (2012-11-06)

2016 →


Nominee	Steve Bullock	Rick Hill
Party	Democratic	Republican
Running mate	John Walsh	Jon Sonju

Governor before election

Brian Schweitzer
Democratic

Elected Governor

TBD

Elections in Montana

Federal government

Presidential elections
1892 1896 1900 1904 1908 1912 1916 1920 1924 1928 1932 1936 1940 1944 1948 1952 1956 1960 1964 1968 1972 1976 1980 1984 1988 1992 1996 2000 2004 2008 2012 2016 2020 2024
Presidential primaries
Democratic 2000 2004 2008 2016 2020 2024 Republican 2008 2012 2016 2020 2024
U.S. Senate elections
1890 1895 1895 sp 1899 1901 1901 sp 1905 1907 1911 1913 1916 1918 1922 1924 1928 1930 1934 1934 sp 1936 1940 1942 1946 1948 1952 1954 1958 1960 1964 1966 1970 1972 1976 1978 1982 1984 1988 1990 1994 1996 2000 2002 2006 2008 2012 2014 2018 2020 2024 2026
U.S. House of Representatives elections
1889 1890 1892 1894 1896 1898 1900 1902 1904 1906 1908 1910 1912 1914 1916 1918 1920 1922 1924 1926 1928 1930 1932 1934 1936 1938 1940 1942 1944 1945 2nd sp 1946 1948 1950 1952 1954 1956 1958 1960 1962 1964 1966 1968 1969 2nd sp 1970 1972 1974 1976 1978 1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2017 AL sp 2018 2020 2022 2024

State government

General elections
2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2020 2022 2024
Gubernatorial elections
1889 1892 1896 1900 1904 1908 1912 1916 1920 1924 1928 1932 1936 1940 1944 1948 1952 1956 1960 1964 1968 1972 1976 1980 1984 1988 1992 1996 2000 2004 2008 2012 2016 2020 2024
Secretary of State elections
2020 2024
Attorney General elections
2020 2024
State Auditor elections
2020 2024
Senate elections
2016 2018 2020 2022 2024
House of Representatives elections
2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2020 2022 2024

Ballot measures

1894: Capital referendum
2004: Initiative 96
2012: Referendum 121
2016: Initiative 182
2020: Initiative 190
2022: Referendum 131
2024: Initiative 128

Billings

Mayoral elections
2001 2005 2009 2013 2017 2021 2025

Missoula

Mayoral elections
2003 2007 2011 2015 2019 2023 2027

Great Falls

Mayoral elections
2001 2005 2009 2013 2017 2021 2025

Bozeman

Mayoral elections
2001 2005 2009 2013 2017 2021 2025

Helena

Mayoral elections
2001 2005 2009 2013 2017 2021 2025

The 2012 Montana gubernatorial election will take place on November 6, 2012.

The Montana Constitution prohibits two-term incumbent governor Brian Schweitzer from seeking a third term.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Declared

Steve Bullock, State Attorney General

Running mate: John Walsh, Brigadier general and former adjutant general in the Montana National Guard

Heather Margolis, state representative for ServeNext, a community service organization

Running mate: Steve Nelsen, founder of the Montana Conservation Corps

Declined

John Bohlinger, Lieutenant Governor of Montana (did not file)
Carl Borgquist, president of Grasslands Renewable Energy of Bozeman (did not file)
Larry Jent, state Senator (dropped out)
Dave Wanzenried, state Senator
Pat Williams, former U.S. representative

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Steve Bullock	Larry Jent	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	November 28-30, 2011	573	± 4.1%	70%	6%	—	24%

Results

Democratic primary results
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Steve Bullock	76,738	86.6
	Democratic	Heather Margolis	11,823	13.4
Total votes			88,561	100

Republican primary

Candidates

Declared

Bob Fanning, retired businessman

Running mate: Joel Boniek, former state Representative
Former running mate: Chuck Baldwin, pastor who ran for president as the Constitution Party nominee in 2008 (dropped out February 2012)

Rick Hill, former U.S. Representative

Running mate: Jon Sonju, state Senator

Neil Livingstone, terrorism and national security analyst

Running mate: Ryan Zinke, state Senator

Jim Lynch, former Montana Department of Transportation director

Running mate: Al Olszewski, orthopedic surgeon and Carroll College Trustee

Ken Miller, former state Senator and former chairman of the Montana Republican Party

Running mate: Bill Gallagher, Public Service Commissioner

Jim O'Hara, Chouteau County commissioner

Running mate: Scott Swingley, private investigator and former trooper in the Montana Highway Patrol

Corey Stapleton, former state Senator

Running mate: Bob Keenan, former state Senate President

Declined

Jeff Essmann, Montana Senate Majority Leader (dropped out)
Denny Rehberg, U.S. representative (running for Senate)
Drew Turiano, real estate investor (dropped out)

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Jeff Essmann	Bob Fanning	Rick Hill	Neil Livingstone	Jim Lynch	Ken Miller	Jim O'Hara	Corey Stapleton	Other/ Undecided
Public Policy Polling	April 26-29, 2012	403	± 4.88%	—	1%	33%	5%	4%	12%	4%	7%	35%
Public Policy Polling	November 28-30, 2011	700	± 3.7%	5%	1%	37%	3%	4%	10%	3%	2%	35%

Results

Republican primary results
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Rick Hill	46,802	34.4
	Republican	Corey Stapleton	24,661	18.1
	Republican	Ken Miller	24,496	18.0
	Republican	Jim O'Hara	16,653	12.2
	Republican	Neil Livingstone	12,038	8.8
	Republican	Jim Lynch	8,323	6.1
	Republican	Bob Fanning	3,087	2.3
Total votes			136,060	100

General election

Candidates

Steve Bullock (D), state 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), businessman

Running mate: Marc Mulcahy

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Steve Bullock (D)	Rick Hill (R)	Other	Undecided
Mason-Dixon	September 17-19, 2012	625	± 4.0%	44%	43%	2%	11%
Public 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 Polling	June 16-19, 2011	819	± 3.4%	37%	39%	—	23%
Public Policy Polling	November 10-13, 2010	1,176	± 2.9%	31%	41%	—	28%

Hypothetical polling

With Bohlinger

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	John Bohlinger (D)	Rick Hill (R)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	June 16-19, 2011	819	± 3.4%	39%	40%	—	21%

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	John Bohlinger (D)	Ken Miller (R)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	June 16-19, 2011	819	± 3.4%	39%	33%	—	28%

With Bullock

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Steve Bullock (D)	Neil Livingstone (R)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	November 28-30, 2011	1,625	± 2.4%	41%	29%	—	30%

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Steve Bullock (D)	Ken Miller (R)	Other	Undecided
Public 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 Essmann

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	John Bohlinger (D)	Jeff Essmann (R)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	June 16-19, 2011	819	± 3.4%	40%	33%	—	28%

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Steve Bullock (D)	Jeff Essmann (R)	Other	Undecided
Public 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	Sample size	Margin of error	Steve Bullock (D)	Jeff Essmann (R)	Other	Undecided
Public 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%

With Jent

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Larry Jent (D)	Rick Hill (R)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	November 28-30, 2011	1,625	± 2.4%	26%	39%	—	35%

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Larry Jent (D)	Neil Livingstone (R)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	November 28-30, 2011	1,625	± 2.4%	26%	30%	—	44%

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Larry Jent (D)	Ken Miller (R)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	November 28-30, 2011	1,625	± 2.4%	25%	33%	—	42%

With Wanzenried

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Dave Wanzenried (D)	Jeff Essmann (R)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	June 16-19, 2011	819	± 3.4%	31%	33%	—	36%

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Dave Wanzenried (D)	Rick Hill (R)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	June 16-19, 2011	819	± 3.4%	30%	40%	—	30%

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Dave Wanzenried (D)	Ken Miller (R)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	June 16-19, 2011	819	± 3.4%	30%	35%	—	35%

References

Catanese, David (September 7, 2011). "Bullock joins Montana governor's race". Politico. Retrieved September 7, 2011.
Johnson, Charles S. (March 9, 2012). "Bullock makes pick of Walsh as running mate official". Independent Record. Retrieved March 11, 2012.
Banks, Marnee (March 12, 2012). "Democrats Margolis & Nelsen enter race for MT Governor". KXLF-TV. Retrieved March 14, 2012.
^ Johnson, Charles S. (June 12, 2011). "Bohlinger, Essmann eye governor's race". Billings Gazette. Retrieved June 15, 2011.
Johnson, Charles S. (March 8, 2012). "Jent drops out of governor's race, leaving Bullock as lone Democrat". Billings Gazette. Retrieved March 9, 2012.
Wanzenried ends run for governor : The Billings Gazette - Montana & Wyoming News
Johnson, Charles S. (September 13, 2010). "Pat Williams not running for governor". Billings Gazette. Retrieved January 17, 2011.
^ "2012 STATEWIDE PRIMARY ELECTION CANVASS" (PDF). Secretary of State of Montana. Retrieved September 24, 2012.
Johnson, Charles S. (October 4, 2011). "3 more GOP candidates running for governor". Billings Gazette. Retrieved October 5, 2011.
^ Banks, Marnee (March 12, 2012). "Long list of candidates running for U.S. House & MT Governor". KRTV. Retrieved March 14, 2012.
Banks, Marnee (February 13, 2012). "MT gubernatorial candidate Fanning loses running mate". KTVQ. Retrieved March 11, 2012.
Johnson, Charles S. (November 6, 2010). "Former GOP U.S. Rep. Rick Hill to run for Montana governor". Billings Gazette. Retrieved January 17, 2011.
Reece, Myers (January 18, 2012). "Rick Hill Announces Jon Sonju as Gubernatorial Running Mate". Flathead Beacon. Retrieved March 11, 2012.
"Terrorism expert files for Montana governor's race". Associated Press. February 12, 2011. Retrieved February 12, 2011.
Johnson, Charles S. (July 10, 2011). "Livingstone taps Zinke as running mate". Billings Gazette. Retrieved March 11, 2012.
"Jim Lynch announces candidacy for Governor". KTVQ. October 13, 2011. Retrieved October 14, 2011.
Sherman, David (March 12, 2012). "Lynch names Olszewski as running mate in MT governor race". KRTV. Retrieved March 14, 2012.
Dennison, Mike (August 9, 2010). "Republican former state senator from Laurel formally enters 2012 governor's race". Billings Gazette. Retrieved January 17, 2011.
Reece, Myers (February 6, 2012). "Ken Miller Announces Bill Gallagher as Gubernatorial Running Mate". Flathead Beacon. Retrieved March 11, 2012.
Keegan, Charlie (January 14, 2011). "Jim O'Hara Announces Candidacy for Governor". KFBB-TV. Retrieved January 17, 2011.
Johnson, Charles S. (February 7, 2012). "O'Hara picks retired MHP officer as running mate". Billings Gazette. Retrieved March 11, 2012.
Johnson, Charles S. (July 19, 2010). "Stapleton bidding for governor". Billings Gazette. Retrieved January 17, 2011.
Johnson, Charles S. (February 7, 2012). "Stapleton picks Keenan for running mate". Billings Gazette. Retrieved March 11, 2012.
Essmann drops out of GOP race for governor : The Billings Gazette - Montana & Wyoming News
Johnson, Charles S. (November 11, 2010). "Rehberg focusing on current job". Billings Gazette. Retrieved January 17, 2011.
http://www.greatfallstribune.com/article/20120117/NEWS01/120117001/Turiano-drops-gubernatorial-bid
Johnson, Charles S. (March 1, 2012). "Governor candidates talk about state economy". Independent Record. Retrieved March 14, 2012.

External links

Elections and Government - Montana Secretary of State

Official campaign websites

v t e (2011 ←) 2012 United States elections (→ 2013)
U.S. President	Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Guam (straw poll)
U.S. Senate	Arizona California Connecticut Delaware Florida Hawaii Indiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Jersey New Mexico New York North Dakota Ohio Pennsylvania Rhode Island Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming
U.S. House (Election ratings)	Alabama Alaska American Samoa Arizona 8th sp Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Guam Hawaii Idaho Illinois 2nd sp Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky 4th sp Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan 11th 11th sp Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey 10th sp New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Northern Mariana Islands Ohio Oklahoma Oregon 1st sp Pennsylvania Puerto Rico Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia U.S. Virgin Islands Washington 1st sp West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming
Governors	American Samoa Delaware Lt. Gov Indiana Missouri Lt. Gov Montana New Hampshire North Carolina Lt. Gov North Dakota Puerto Rico Utah Vermont Washington West Virginia Wisconsin (recall)
Attorneys general	Missouri North Carolina Pennsylvania
Other statewide elections	Wisconsin Lieutenant Governor (recall)
State legislatures	Alaska Senate Arizona Senate California Assembly Senate Connecticut Senate Delaware House Senate Florida House Hawaii House Senate Illinois House Senate Iowa Senate Michigan House Minnesota House Senate Montana House New Mexico House Senate New York Senate North Carolina House Senate Oregon Legislative Assembly Pennsylvania House Senate Texas House Senate Washington House Senate Wisconsin Assembly Senate recalls Wyoming Senate
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	Alabama Alaska American Samoa Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Guam Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Puerto Rico Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas U.S. Virgin Islands Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming

Categories: