# 2012 Missouri gubernatorial election

Elections in Missouri :
Federal government
Presidential elections
1820
1824
1828
1832
1836
1840
1844
1848
1852
1856
1860
1864
1868
1872
1876
1880
1884
1888
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
Missouri bellwether
Presidential primaries
Democratic
2000
2004
2008
2012
2016
2020
2024
Republican
2000
2004
2008
2012
2016
2020
2024
U.S. Senate
1821
1825
1827
1830
1833
1836
1839
1842
1843 sp
1845
1849
1851
1857
1857 sp
1861
1863
1863 sp
1868
1871 sp
1874
1879
1879 sp
1881
1885
1887
1891
1893
1897
1899
1903
1905
1909
1911
1911
1914
1916
1918 sp
1920
1922
1926
1926 sp
1928
1932
1934
1938
1940
1944
1946
1950
1952
1956
1958
1960 sp
1962
1964
1968
1970
1974
1976
1980
1982
1986
1988
1992
1994
1998
2000
2002 sp
2004
2006
2010
2012
2016
2018
2022
2024
2028
U.S. House of Representatives
1820
1822
1824
1826
1828
1831
1832–33
1835
1836
1838
1839
AL sp
1840
1842
1844
1846
AL sp
1848
1850
1852
1854
1856
1858
1860
1st sp
1862
1864
1866
1867
3rd sp
1868
5th sp
1870
1872
1874
1876
1878
1880
7th sp
1882
2nd sp
1884
1886
1888
1889
4th sp
1890
14th sp
1892
1894
1896
1897
1st sp
1898
1899
8th sp
1900
1902
12th sp
1904
1906
1908
1910
6th sp
1912
1914
1916
1918
10th sp
1920
1921
4th sp
1922
1924
1926
11th sp
1928
1929
4th sp
1930
1931
7th sp
1932
1934
1936
1938
1940
1942
1943
6th sp
1944
1946
1948
10th sp
1950
1951
11th sp
1952
1954
1956
1958
1959
4th sp
1960
1962
1964
9th sp
1966
1968
1970
1972
1974
1976
6th sp
1978
1980
1982
1984
1986
1988
1990
1992
1994
1996
8th sp
1998
2000
2002
2004
2006
2008
2010
2012
2013
8th sp
2014
2016
2018
2020
2022
2024 :
State government
State elections
2008
2010
2012
2014
2016
2018
2020
2022
Gubernatorial elections
1820
1824
1825 sp
1828
1832
1836
1840
1844
1848
1852
1856
1857 sp
1860
1864
1868
1870
1872
1874
1876
1880
1884
1888
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
Lieutenant gubernatorial elections
1820
1824
1828
1832
1836
1840
1844
1848
1852
1856
1860
1864
1868
1870
1872
1874
1876
1880
1884
1888
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
2012
2016
2020
2024
Attorney General elections
2012
2016
2020
2024
State Treasurer elections
2012
2016
2020
2024
State Auditor elections
2010
2014
2018
2022
Senate elections
2010
2012
2014
2016
2018
2020
2022
2024
House of Representatives elections
2010
2012
2014
2016
2018
2020
2022
2024
2026 :
Ballot measures
1999
Proposition B
2004
Amendment 2
2006
Amendment 2
2018
Proposition A
2020
Amendment 2
2022
Amendment 3
2024
Amendment 3 :
Columbia
Mayoral elections
2016
2019
2022 :
Jefferson City
Mayoral elections
2016
2019
2022 :
Joplin
Mayoral elections
2003
2007
2011
2015
2019
2023 :
Kansas City
Mayoral elections
2003
2007
2011
2015
2019
2023 :
Springfield
Mayoral elections
2021 :
St. Louis
Mayoral elections
1973
1977
1981
1985
1989
1993
1997
2001
2005
2009
2013
2017
2021
2025
Board of Aldermen elections
2023 :
vte :
The 2012 Missouri gubernatorial election was held on November 6, 2012, to elect the Governor of Missouri. Incumbent Democratic Governor Jay Nixon won re-election against the Republican nominee, businessman Dave Spence, despite incumbent President Barack Obama losing Missouri on the same day to Republican nominee Mitt Romney. As of 2025, this is the last time a Democrat won the governorship of Missouri to date. This is also the last time that a governor and lieutenant governor of different political parties were simultaneously elected in Missouri. Primary elections took place on August 5, 2012.

## Democratic primary
### Candidates
#### Nominee

* Jay Nixon, incumbent governor

#### Eliminated in primary

* William Campbell
* Clay Thunderhawk

### Results

Democratic primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Jay Nixon (incumbent) | 269,865 | 86.0% |
| | Democratic | William Campbell | 25,721 | 8.2% |
| | Democratic | Clay Thunderhawk | 18,228 | 5.8% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 313,814 | 100.0% |

## Republican primary
### Candidates
#### Nominee

* Dave Spence, businessman

#### Eliminated in primary

* Bill Randles, businessman and corporate defense lawyer
* Fred Sauer, investment executive and anti-abortion activist
* John Weiler

### Polling

| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Bill Randles | Fred Sauer | Dave Spence | John Weiler | Undecided |
| Public Policy Polling | August 4–5, 2012 | 590 | ± 4.0% | 15% | 12% | 42% | 3% | 29% |
| Mason-Dixon | July 23–25, 2012 | 400 | ± 5.0% | 15% | 1% | 41% | 3% | 40% |
| Public Policy Polling | May 24–27, 2012 | 430 | ± 4.7% | 11% | 4% | 32% | 1% | 43% |
| Public Policy Polling | January 27–29, 2012 | 574 | ± 4.1% | 15% | — | 11% | — | 74% |

### Results

Republican primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Dave Spence | 333,578 | 59.9% |
| | Republican | Bill Randles | 90,651 | 16.3% |
| | Republican | Fred Sauer | 83,695 | 15.0% |
| | Republican | John Weiler | 49,006 | 8.8% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 556,930 | 100.0% |

## Libertarian primary
### Candidates

* Jim Higgins, former officer of the Libertarian Party of Missouri

### Denied ballot access

* Leonard Steinman

### Results

Libertarian primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Libertarian | Jim Higgins | 2,500 | 100.0% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 2,500 | 100.0% |

## General election
### Debates

* Complete video of debate, C-SPAN, September 21, 2012

### Predictions

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

### Polling

| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Jay Nixon (D) | Dave Spence (R) | Other | Undecided |
| Public Policy Polling | November 2–3, 2012 | 835 | ± 3.4% | 53% | 45% | — | 2% |
| SurveyUSA | October 28–November 3, 2012 | 589 | ± 4.1% | 48% | 39% | 5% | 8% |
| Mason-Dixon | October 23–25, 2012 | 625 | ± 4% | 48% | 42% | — | 9% |
| Public Policy Polling | October 19–21, 2012 | 582 | ± 4.1% | 51% | 40% | — | 8% |
| Public Policy Polling | October 1–3, 2012 | 700 | ± 3.7% | 54% | 35% | — | 12% |
| Public Policy Polling | August 20, 2012 | 500 | ± 4.4% | 46% | 37% | — | 16% |
| Survey USA | August 9–12, 2012 | 585 | ± 4.1% | 51% | 37% | 5% | 6% |
| Chilenski Strategies | August 8, 2012 | 663 | ± 3.8% | 53% | 39% | — | 9% |
| Mason-Dixon | July 23–25, 2012 | 625 | ± 4.0% | 48% | 39% | — | 13% |
| Public Policy Polling | May 24–27, 2012 | 602 | ± 4.0% | 45% | 34% | — | 21% |
| Public Policy Polling | January 27–29, 2012 | 582 | ± 4.1% | 47% | 27% | — | 26% |
Republican primary
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Peter Kinder | Bill Randles | Undecided |
| Public Policy Polling | September 9–12, 2011 | 400 | ± 4.9% | 34% | 14% | 53% |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Peter Kinder | Someone else | Undecided |
| Public Policy Polling | September 9–12, 2011 | 400 | ± 4.9% | 22% | 35% | 43% |
General election
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Jay Nixon (D) | Bill Randles (R) | Other | Undecided |
| Mason-Dixon | July 23–25, 2012 | 625 | ± 4.0% | 50% | 35% | — | 15% |
| Public Policy Polling | May 24–27, 2012 | 602 | ± 4.0% | 46% | 32% | — | 22% |
| Public Policy Polling | January 27–29, 2012 | 582 | ± 4.1% | 47% | 29% | — | 24% |
| Public Policy Polling | September 9–12, 2011 | 632 | ± 3.9% | 45% | 24% | — | 30% |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Jay Nixon (D) | Matt Blunt (R) | Other | Undecided |
| Public Policy Polling | September 9–12, 2011 | 632 | ± 3.9% | 50% | 37% | — | 13% |
| Public Policy Polling | April 28-May 1, 2011 | 555 | ± 3.9% | 48% | 38% | — | 13% |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Jay Nixon (D) | John Danforth (R) | Other | Undecided |
| Public Policy Polling | September 9–12, 2011 | 632 | ± 3.9% | 39% | 45% | — | 17% |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Jay Nixon (D) | Kenny Hulshof (R) | Other | Undecided |
| Public Policy Polling | April 28-May 1, 2011 | 555 | ± 3.9% | 51% | 34% | — | 15% |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Jay Nixon (D) | Peter Kinder (R) | Other | Undecided |
| Public Policy Polling | September 9–12, 2011 | 632 | ± 3.9% | 50% | 31% | — | 18% |
| Public Policy Polling | April 28-May 1, 2011 | 555 | ± 3.9% | 48% | 34% | — | 18% |
| Public Policy Polling | March 3–6, 2011 | 612 | ± 4.0% | 45% | 38% | — | 17% |
| Public Policy Polling | Nov. 29-December 1, 2010 | 515 | ± 4.3% | 47% | 39% | — | 14% |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Jay Nixon (D) | Sarah Steelman (R) | Other | Undecided |
| Public Policy Polling | Nov. 29-December 1, 2010 | 515 | ± 4.3% | 46% | 35% | — | 19% |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Jay Nixon (D) | Jim Talent (R) | Other | Undecided |
| Public Policy Polling | September 9–12, 2011 | 632 | ± 3.9% | 47% | 38% | — | 14% |

### Results

Nixon won by a comfortable 12.3% margin, though this was somewhat closer than his 2008 victory. Even with President Barack Obama losing the state by a nine-point margin, Nixon and Senator Claire McCaskill both won reelection easily. Like his Senatorial colleague, Nixon was able to get a huge number of votes from rural areas. Both Nixon and McCaskill were declared the winners of their respective races even before the known Democratic strongholds of St. Louis and Kansas City came in.
Missouri gubernatorial election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Jay Nixon (incumbent) | 1,494,056 | 54.77% | −3.63% |
| | Republican | Dave Spence | 1,160,265 | 42.53% | +3.04% |
| | Libertarian | Jim Higgins | 73,509 | 2.70% | +1.59% |
| | Write-in | Write-in | 53 | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 2,727,883 | 100.00% | N/A |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

#### Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic

* Audrain (Largest city: Mexico)
* Clark (Largest city: Kahoka)
* Knox (Largest city: Edina)
* Lewis (Largest city: Canton)
* Mississippi (Largest city: Charleston)
* Monroe (Largest city: Monroe City)

#### Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican

* Andrew (Largest city: Savannah)
* Atchison (Largest city: Tarkio)
* Benton (Largest city: Warsaw)
* Caldwell (Largest city: Hamilton)
* Camden (Largest city: Osage Beach)
* Carter (Largest city: Van Buren)
* Cass (Largest city: Harrisonville)
* Cedar (Largest city: El Dorado Springs)
* Crawford (Largest city: Cuba)
* Dallas (Largest city: Buffalo)
* Daviess (Largest city: Gallatin)
* Dent (Largest city: Salem)
* Douglas (Largest city: Ava)
* Gentry (Largest city: Albany)
* Howell (Largest city: West Plains)
* Laclede (Largest city: Lebanon)
* Lincoln (Largest city: Troy)
* Livingston (Largest city: Chillicothe)
* Maries (Largest city: Belle)
* Morgan (Largest city: Versailles)
* Oregon (Largest city: Thayer)
* Ozark (Largest city: Gainesville)
* Phelps (Largest city: Rolla)
* Polk (Largest city: Bolivar)
* Pulaski (Largest city: Fort Leonard Wood)
* Ripley (Largest city: Doniphan)
* St. Clair (Largest city: Appleton City)
* Texas (Largest city: Licking)
* Vernon (Largest city: Nevada)
* Webster (Largest city: Marshfield)

#### By congressional district

Nixon won 5 of 8 congressional districts, including three that elected Republicans.
| District | Nixon | Spence | Representative |
| 1st | 81.38% | 13.21% | Lacy Clay |
| 2nd | 50.67% | 47.37% | Todd Akin (112th Congress) |
| 2nd | 50.67% | 47.37% | Ann Wagner (113th Congress) |
| 3rd | 48.20% | 49.08% | Russ Carnahan (112th Congress) |
| 3rd | 48.20% | 49.08% | Blaine Luetkemeyer (113th Congress) |
| 4th | 49.16% | 47.46% | Vicky Hartzler |
| 5th | 66.00% | 31.20% | Emanuel Cleaver |
| 6th | 50.09% | 46.96% | Sam Graves |
| 7th | 43.75% | 53.39% | Billy Long |
| 8th | 48.27% | 49.06% | Jo Ann Emerson |