# 2012 Washington gubernatorial election

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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. She endorsed fellow Democrat Jay Inslee, a U.S. Congressman, as her successor. On March 20, 2012, Inslee resigned from Congress in order to focus on his gubernatorial campaign.
Inslee and Republican Rob McKenna, the Attorney General of Washington, advanced to the general election. Inslee narrowly won the election, and McKenna conceded three days later.

## Primary election
### Democratic candidates

* Rob Hill
* Jay Inslee, U.S. Representative for WA-01 (1999–2012) and WA-04 (1993–1995)

#### 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

### Republican candidates

* 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 candidates

* Christian Joubert
* L. Dale Sorgen, computer programmer and former pastor
* James White

### Polling

| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Rob McKenna (R) | Jay Inslee (D) | Lisa Brown (D) | Dow Constantine (D) | Clint Didier (R) | Bill Bryant (R) | Brian Sonntag (D) | Aaron Reardon (D) | Undecided |
| Chism Strategies | June 28–30, 2011 | 408 (LV) | ± 5.0% | 20% | 17% | 3% | 3% | 3% | 2% | 2% | 1% | 49% |

### Results

Blanket primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Jay Inslee | 664,534 | 47.13% |
| | Republican | Rob McKenna | 604,872 | 42.90% |
| | Republican | Shahram Hadian | 46,169 | 3.27% |
| | Democratic | Rob Hill | 45,453 | 3.22% |
| | Independent | James White | 13,764 | 0.98% |
| | Independent | Christian Joubert | 10,457 | 0.74% |
| | Independent | L. Dale Sorgen | 9,734 | 0.69% |
| | Republican | Max Sampson | 8,753 | 0.62% |
| | Republican | Javier O. Lopez | 6,131 | 0.43% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 1,409,867 | 100.00% |

## General election
### Candidates

* Jay Inslee (Democratic), former U.S. Representative
* Rob McKenna (Republican), Attorney General of Washington

### Debates

* Complete video of debate, October 2, 2012 - C-SPAN

### Predictions

| Source | Ranking | As of |
| The Cook Political Report | Tossup | November 1, 2012 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball | Lean D | November 5, 2012 |
| Rothenberg Political Report | Tilt D | November 2, 2012 |
| Real Clear Politics | Tossup | November 5, 2012 |

### Endorsements

U.S Presidents
* Barack Obama, 44th President of the United States
Newspapers
* The Olympian
* The Stranger
U.S. Representatives
* Dave Reichert, U.S. Representative from Washington's 8th congressional district
Statewide officials
* Brian Sonntag, 9th Washington State Auditor (Democrat)
State legislators
* Mark Doumit, former state senator (Democrat)
* Tim Sheldon, state senator (Democrat)
Newspapers
* The Columbian
* The Daily News
* The Daily World
* The Everett Herald
* The News Tribune
* The Seattle Times
* The Spokesman-Review
* Tri-City Herald
* Walla Walla Union-Bulletin
* The Wenatchee World
* Yakima Herald-Republic

### Polling

Aggregate polls
| Source of poll aggregation | Dates administered | Dates updated | Jay Inslee (D) | Rob McKenna (R) | Other/Undecided | Margin |
| Real Clear Politics | October 14 – November 3, 2012 | November 3, 2012 | 47.3% | 46.3% | 6.4% | Inslee +1.0% |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Jay Inslee (D) | Rob McKenna (R) | Undecided |
| Public Policy Polling | November 1–3, 2012 | 932 | ± 3.2% | 50% | 48% | 2% |
| KING5/SurveyUSA | October 28–31, 2012 | 555 | ± 4.2% | 47% | 46% | 7% |
| KCTS 9/Washington Poll | October 18–31, 2012 | 632 | ± 3.9% | 49% | 46% | 6% |
| Elway Poll | October 18–21, 2012 | 451 | ± 4.5% | 45% | 47% | 10% |
| Strategies360 | October 17–20, 2012 | 500 | ± 4.4% | 45% | 45% | 10% |
| Public Policy Polling/WCV | October 15–16, 2012 | 574 | ± n/a% | 48% | 42% | 10% |
| KCTS 9/Washington Poll | October 1–16, 2012 | 782 | ± 3.5% | 48% | 45% | 8% |
| Rasmussen Reports | October 14, 2012 | 500 | ± 4.5% | 47% | 45% | 9% |
| SurveyUSA | October 12–14, 2012 | 543 | ± 4.3% | 47% | 44% | 9% |
| SurveyUSA | September 28–30, 2012 | 540 | ± 4.3% | 48% | 42% | 10% |
| Rasmussen Reports | September 26, 2012 | 500 | ± 4.5% | 46% | 45% | 9% |
| Public Elway Poll | September 9–12, 2012 | 405 | ± 5% | 44% | 41% | 15% |
| Public Policy Polling | September 7–9, 2012 | 563 | ± 4.2% | 48% | 42% | 10% |
| Survey USA | September 7–9, 2012 | 524 | ± 4.4% | 49% | 44% | 7% |
| Survey USA | August 2–3, 2012 | 524 | ± 4.4% | 48% | 45% | 7% |
| Elway Poll | July 18–22, 2012 | 405 | ± 5.0% | 43% | 36% | 21% |
| Survey USA | July 16–17, 2012 | 630 | ± 4.0% | 41% | 42% | 16% |
| Public Policy Polling | June 14–17, 2012 | 1,073 | ± 3.0% | 40% | 43% | 17% |
| Elway Poll | June 13–16, 2012 | 408 | ± 5.0% | 40% | 42% | 18% |
| Strategies360 | May 22–24, 2012 | 500 | ± 4.4% | 39% | 43% | 18% |
| Survey USA | May 8–9, 2012 | 557 | ± 4.2% | 38% | 40% | 22% |
| Grove Insights (D) | March 26–28, 2012 | 500 | ± 4.4% | 38% | 34% | 28% |
| Grove Insights (D) | February 21–23, 2012 | 500 | ± 4.4% | 38% | 38% | 24% |
| Public Policy Polling | February 16–19, 2012 | 1,264 | ± 2.8% | 42% | 42% | 16% |
| Survey USA | February 13–15, 2012 | 572 | ± 4.2% | 39% | 49% | 12% |
| Elway Poll | February 7–9, 2012 | 405 | ± 5.0% | 36% | 45% | 19% |
| Survey USA | January 12–16, 2012 | 617 | ± 4.0% | 43% | 46% | 11% |
| Survey USA | November 21–23, 2011 | 549 | ± 4.3% | 38% | 44% | 17% |
| Washington Poll | October 10–30, 2011 | 938 | ± 3.2% | 38% | 44% | 18% |
| Survey USA | September 21–22, 2011 | 529 | ± 4.3% | 38% | 44% | 18% |
| Survey USA | June 24–26, 2011 | 600 | ± 4.4% | 47% | 44% | 9% |
| Public Policy Polling | May 12–15, 2011 | 1,098 | ± 3.0% | 38% | 40% | 22% |
| Survey USA | April 27–28, 2011 | 610 | ± 4.0% | 41% | 48% | 11% |
Christine Gregoire vs. Rob McKenna
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Christine Gregoire (D) | Rob McKenna (R) | Undecided |
| Public Policy Polling | May 12–15, 2011 | 1,098 | ± 3.0% | 40% | 49% | 11% |
| Survey USA | April 27–28, 2011 | 610 | ± 4.0% | 40% | 52% | 7% |
Christine Gregoire vs. Dave Reichert
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Christine Gregoire (D) | Dave Reichert (R) | Undecided |
| Public Policy Polling | May 12–15, 2011 | 1,098 | ± 3.0% | 45% | 41% | 14% |
| Survey USA | April 27–28, 2011 | 610 | ± 4.0% | 44% | 48% | 8% |
Jay Inslee vs. Dave Reichert
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Jay Inslee (D) | Dave Reichert (R) | Undecided |
| Public Policy Polling | May 12–15, 2011 | 1,098 | ± 3.0% | 42% | 36% | 22% |
| Survey USA | April 27–28, 2011 | 610 | ± 4.0% | 44% | 46% | 10% |
Lisa Brown vs. Rob McKenna
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Lisa Brown (D) | Rob McKenna (R) | Undecided |
| Public Policy Polling | July 27-August 1, 2010 | 1,204 | ± 2.8% | 29% | 47% | 24% |

### 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 in the morning three days later; 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.
2012 Washington gubernatorial election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Jay Inslee | 1,582,802 | 51.40% | −1.84% |
| | Republican | Rob McKenna | 1,488,245 | 48.33% | +1.57% |
| | Write-in | Write-in | 8,592 | 0.28% | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 94,557 | 3.07% | |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 3,079,639 | 100.00% | |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Swing | -3.41% | |

#### By county

| County | Jay Inslee Democratic | Jay Inslee Democratic | Rob McKenna Republican | Rob McKenna Republican | Margin | Margin | Total votes cast |
| County | # | % | # | % | # | % | Total votes cast |
| Adams | 1,408 | 29.78% | 3,320 | 70.22% | -1,912 | -40.44% | 4,728 |
| Asotin | 4,027 | 41.50% | 5,677 | 58.50% | -1,650 | -17.00% | 9,704 |
| Benton | 27,291 | 34.97% | 50,757 | 65.03% | -23,466 | -30.07% | 78,048 |
| Chelan | 11,616 | 36.41% | 20,291 | 63.59% | -8,675 | -27.19% | 31,907 |
| Clallam | 17,516 | 46.66% | 20,021 | 53.34% | -2,505 | -6.67% | 37,537 |
| Clark | 86,732 | 46.92% | 98,131 | 53.08% | -11,399 | -6.17% | 184,863 |
| Columbia | 656 | 29.54% | 1,565 | 70.46% | -909 | -40.93% | 2,221 |
| Cowlitz | 21,051 | 48.21% | 22,612 | 51.79% | -1,561 | -3.58% | 43,663 |
| Douglas | 4,746 | 31.88% | 10,139 | 68.12% | -5,393 | -36.23% | 14,885 |
| Ferry | 1,299 | 37.98% | 2,121 | 62.02% | -822 | -24.04% | 3,420 |
| Franklin | 8,181 | 36.50% | 14,232 | 63.50% | -6,051 | -27.00% | 22,413 |
| Garfield | 333 | 26.58% | 920 | 73.42% | -587 | -46.85% | 1,253 |
| Grant | 8,654 | 31.59% | 18,742 | 68.41% | -10,088 | -36.82% | 27,396 |
| Grays Harbor | 14,491 | 50.90% | 13,978 | 49.10% | 513 | 1.80% | 28,469 |
| Island | 19,324 | 46.67% | 22,082 | 53.33% | -2,758 | -6.66% | 41,406 |
| Jefferson | 12,176 | 62.29% | 7,370 | 37.71% | 4,806 | 24.59% | 19,546 |
| King | 590,879 | 62.36% | 356,713 | 37.64% | 234,166 | 24.71% | 947,592 |
| Kitsap | 60,578 | 49.72% | 61,261 | 50.28% | -683 | -0.56% | 121,839 |
| Kittitas | 7,137 | 39.90% | 10,752 | 60.10% | -3,615 | -20.21% | 17,889 |
| Klickitat | 4,442 | 44.07% | 5,638 | 55.93% | -1,196 | -11.87% | 10,080 |
| Lewis | 11,865 | 35.03% | 22,002 | 64.97% | -10,137 | -29.93% | 33,867 |
| Lincoln | 1,716 | 29.57% | 4,088 | 70.43% | -2,372 | -40.87% | 5,804 |
| Mason | 13,175 | 47.25% | 14,708 | 52.75% | -1,533 | -5.50% | 27,883 |
| Okanogan | 6,759 | 40.55% | 9,909 | 59.45% | -3,150 | -18.90% | 16,668 |
| Pacific | 5,379 | 51.73% | 5,020 | 48.27% | 359 | 3.45% | 10,399 |
| Pend Oreille | 2,442 | 37.06% | 4,148 | 62.94% | -1,706 | -25.89% | 6,590 |
| Pierce | 164,211 | 48.54% | 174,078 | 51.46% | -9,867 | -2.92% | 338,289 |
| San Juan | 6,763 | 64.82% | 3,671 | 35.18% | 3,092 | 29.63% | 10,434 |
| Skagit | 25,878 | 47.33% | 28,803 | 52.67% | -2,925 | -5.35% | 54,681 |
| Skamania | 2,434 | 45.92% | 2,867 | 54.08% | -433 | -8.17% | 5,301 |
| Snohomish | 166,452 | 51.23% | 158,440 | 48.77% | 8,012 | 2.47% | 324,892 |
| Spokane | 95,354 | 43.49% | 123,894 | 56.51% | -28,540 | -13.02% | 219,248 |
| Stevens | 7,426 | 33.79% | 14,554 | 66.21% | -7,128 | -32.43% | 21,980 |
| Thurston | 67,353 | 53.75% | 57,948 | 46.25% | 9,405 | 7.51% | 125,301 |
| Wahkiakum | 964 | 42.83% | 1,287 | 57.17% | -323 | -14.35% | 2,251 |
| Walla Walla | 9,353 | 38.03% | 15,238 | 61.97% | -5,885 | -23.93% | 24,591 |
| Whatcom | 53,599 | 53.10% | 47,340 | 46.90% | 6,259 | 6.20% | 100,939 |
| Whitman | 7,351 | 43.83% | 9,421 | 56.17% | -2,070 | -12.34% | 16,772 |
| Yakima | 31,791 | 41.67% | 44,507 | 58.33% | -12,716 | -16.67% | 76,298 |
| Totals | 1,582,802 | 51.54% | 1,488,245 | 48.46% | 94,557 | 3.08% | 3,071,047 |

##### Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican

* Island (largest city: Oak Harbor)
* Kitsap (largest city: Bremerton)
* Pierce (largest city: Tacoma)
* Skagit (largest city: Mount Vernon)

#### By congressional district

Inslee won 5 of 10 congressional districts, with the remaining 5 going to McKenna, including one that elected a Democrat.
| District | Inslee | McKenna | Representative |
| 1st | 48% | 52% | Suzan DelBene |
| 2nd | 54% | 46% | Rick Larsen |
| 3rd | 46% | 54% | Jaime Herrera Beutler |
| 4th | 37% | 63% | Doc Hastings |
| 5th | 42% | 58% | Cathy McMorris Rodgers |
| 6th | 51% | 49% | Norm Dicks |
| 6th | 51% | 49% | Derek Kilmer |
| 7th | 74% | 26% | Jim McDermott |
| 8th | 43% | 57% | Dave Reichert |
| 9th | 61% | 39% | Adam Smith |
| 10th | 51% | 49% | Denny Heck |