# 2012 North Carolina Senate election

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The 2012 North Carolina State Senate elections selected members to serve in the North Carolina Senate for a two-year term commencing in January 2013. Going into the election, the Senate had 31 Republican and 19 Democratic members, which constituted a two-thirds super-majority for the Republican Party. Following the election, the Senate had 33 Republican and 17 Democratic members.

## Results summary

| District | Incumbent | Party | Party | Elected | Party |
| 1st | Stan White | | Dem | Bill Cook | Rep |
| 2nd | Jean Preston† | | Rep | Norman W. Sanderson | Rep |
| 3rd | Clark Jenkins | | Dem | Clark Jenkins | Dem |
| 4th | Edward Jones | | Dem | Edward Jones | Dem |
| 5th | New seat | New seat | New seat | Don Davis | Dem |
| 6th | Harry Brown | | Rep | Harry Brown | Rep |
| 7th | Louis M. Pate Jr. | | Rep | Louis M. Pate Jr. | Rep |
| 8th | Bill Rabon | | Rep | Bill Rabon | Rep |
| 9th | Thom Goolsby | | Rep | Thom Goolsby | Rep |
| 10th | Brent Jackson | | Rep | Brent Jackson | Rep |
| 11th | Buck Newton | | Rep | Buck Newton | Rep |
| 12th | David Rouzer† | | Rep | Ronald Rabin | Rep |
| 13th | Michael Walters | | Dem | Michael Walters | Dem |
| 14th | Dan Blue | | Dem | Dan Blue | Dem |
| 15th | Neal Hunt | | Rep | Neal Hunt | Rep |
| 16th | Josh Stein | | Dem | Josh Stein | Dem |
| 17th | Tamara P. Barringer | | Rep | Tamara P. Barringer | Rep |
| 18th | Doug Berger | | Dem | Chad Barefoot | Rep |
| 19th | Wesley Meredith | | Rep | Wesley Meredith | Rep |
| 20th | Floyd McKissick Jr. | | Dem | Floyd McKissick Jr. | Dem |
| 21st | Eric Mansfield† | | Dem | Ben Clark | Dem |
| 22nd | New seat | New seat | New seat | Mike Woodard | Dem |
| 23rd | Eleanor Kinnaird | | Dem | Eleanor Kinnaird | Dem |
| 23rd | Bob Atwater† | | Dem | Eleanor Kinnaird | Dem |
| 24th | Rick Gunn | | Rep | Rick Gunn | Rep |
| 25th | William R. Purcell† | | Dem | Gene McLaurin | Dem |
| 26th | Phil Berger | | Rep | Phil Berger | Rep |
| 27th | Don Vaughan† | | Dem | Trudy Wade | Rep |
| 28th | Gladys A. Robinson | | Dem | Gladys A. Robinson | Dem |
| 29th | Jerry W. Tillman | | Rep | Jerry W. Tillman | Rep |
| 29th | Harris Blake† | | Rep | Jerry W. Tillman | Rep |
| 30th | Don W. East | | Rep | Don W. East | Rep |
| 31st | Pete Brunstetter | | Rep | Pete Brunstetter | Rep |
| 32nd | Linda Garrou† | | Dem | Earline Parmon | Dem |
| 33rd | Stan Bingham | | Rep | Stan Bingham | Rep |
| 34th | Andrew C. Brock | | Rep | Andrew C. Brock | Rep |
| 35th | Tommy Tucker | | Rep | Tommy Tucker | Rep |
| 36th | Fletcher L. Hartsell Jr. | | Rep | Fletcher L. Hartsell Jr. | Rep |
| 37th | Dan Clodfelter | | Dem | Dan Clodfelter | Dem |
| 38th | Charlie Dannelly† | | Dem | Joel Ford | Dem |
| 39th | Bob Rucho | | Rep | Bob Rucho | Rep |
| 40th | Malcolm Graham | | Dem | Malcolm Graham | Dem |
| 41st | New seat | New seat | New seat | Jeff Tarte | Rep |
| 42nd | Austin M. Allran | | Rep | Austin M. Allran | Rep |
| 43rd | Kathy Harrington | | Rep | Kathy Harrington | Rep |
| 44th | Chris Carney | | Rep | David L. Curtis | Rep |
| 45th | Dan Soucek | | Rep | Dan Soucek | Rep |
| 46th | Warren Daniel | | Rep | Warren Daniel | Rep |
| 46th | Wes Westmoreland† | | Rep | Warren Daniel | Rep |
| 47th | Ralph Hise | | Rep | Ralph Hise | Rep |
| 48th | Tom Apodaca | | Rep | Tom Apodaca | Rep |
| 49th | Martin Nesbitt | | Dem | Martin Nesbitt | Dem |
| 50th | Jim Davis | | Rep | Jim Davis | Rep |
† - Incumbent not seeking re-election

### Incumbents defeated in primary election

* Chris Carney (R-District 44), defeated by David L. Curtis (R)

### Incumbents defeated in general election

* Stan White (D-District 1), defeated by Bill Cook (R)
* Doug Berger (D-District 18), defeated by Chad Barefoot (R)

### Open seats that changed parties

* Don Vaughan (D-District 27) did not seek re-election, seat won by Trudy Wade (R)

### Newly created seats

* District 5, won by Don Davis (D)
* District 22, won by Mike Woodard (D)
* District 41, won by Jeff Tarte (R)

### Seats eliminated by redistricting

* Bob Atwater (D-District 18) did not seek re-election after his seat was merged with 23rd district
* Harris Blake (R-District 22) did not seek re-election after his seat was merged with the 29th district
* Wes Westmoreland (R-District 46) did not seek re-election after his seat was merged with the 44th district

## Predictions

| Source | Ranking | As of |
| Governing | Likely R | October 24, 2012 |

## Detailed results
### Districts 1–25
#### District 1

Incumbent Democrat Stan M. White has represented the 1st district since 2011.
North Carolina Senate 1st district general election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Bill Cook | 43,735 | 50.01% |
| | Democratic | Stan White (incumbent) | 43,714 | 49.99% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 87,449 | 100% |
| | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic |

#### District 2

Incumbent Republican Jean Preston has represented the 2nd district since 2007. Preston did not seek re-election. Representative Norman W. Sanderson won the open seat.
North Carolina Senate 2nd district general election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Norman W. Sanderson | 53,873 | 63.12% |
| | Democratic | Greg Muse | 31,479 | 36.88% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 85,352 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

#### District 3

Incumbent Democrat Clark Jenkins has represented the 3rd district since 2003.
North Carolina Senate 3rd district general election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Clark Jenkins (incumbent) | 65,851 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 65,851` | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

#### District 4

Incumbent Democrat Edward Jones has represented the 4th district since 2007.
North Carolina Senate 4th district general election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Edward Jones (incumbent) | 63,666 | 72.32% |
| | Republican | Warren Scott Nail | 24,363 | 27.68% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 88,029 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

#### District 5

The 5th district is an open seat that includes Democratic leaning areas in Greene, Pitt, Lenoir, and Wayne counties. Democrat Don Davis who represented a different version of the 5th district from 2009 to 2011 won the open seat.
North Carolina Senate 5th district general election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Don Davis | 59,648 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 59,648 | 100% |
| | Democratic win (new seat) | Democratic win (new seat) | Democratic win (new seat) | Democratic win (new seat) |

#### District 6

Incumbent Republican Majority Leader Harry Brown has represented the 6th district since 2004.
North Carolina Senate 6th district general election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Harry Brown (incumbent) | 38,572 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 38,572 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

#### District 7

The new 7th district is the successor to the old 5th district, but it has been drawn to be more Republican leaning than its predecessor. It now includes mostly Republican leaning areas in Pitt, Lenoir, and Wayne counties. Incumbent Republican Louis M. Pate Jr., who has represented the 5th district since 2011, successfully sought re-election here.
North Carolina Senate 7th district general election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Louis M. Pate Jr. (incumbent) | 60,120 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 60,120 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

#### District 8

Incumbent Republican Bill Rabon has represented the 8th district since 2011.
North Carolina Senate 8th district general election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Bill Rabon (incumbent) | 58,282 | 59.96% |
| | Democratic | Danny Hefner | 38,919 | 40.04% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 97,201 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

#### District 9

Incumbent Republican Thom Goolsby has represented the 9th district since 2011.
North Carolina Senate 9th district general election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Thom Goolsby (incumbent) | 52,955 | 54.16% |
| | Democratic | Deb Butler | 44,817 | 45.84% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 97,772 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

#### District 10

Incumbent Republican Brent Jackson has represented the 10th district since 2011.
North Carolina Senate 10th district general election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Brent Jackson (incumbent) | 48,772 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 48,772 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

#### District 11

Incumbent Republican Buck Newton has represented the 11th district since 2011.
North Carolina Senate 11th district general election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Buck Newton (incumbent) | 53,127 | 60.77% |
| | Democratic | Clarence A. Bender | 34,291 | 39.23% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 87,418 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

#### District 12

The new 12th district is considerably different from its predecessor. Redistricting resulted in it losing its share of Wayne County and most of Johnston County, except for a small section in the western corner where Rouzer's home is located. The new district now includes all of Harnett and Lee counties. Incumbent Republican David Rouzer, who has represented the 12th district since 2009, did not seek re-election. Rouzer instead ran for U.S. House district 7. Republican Ronald Rabin won the open seat.
North Carolina Senate 12th district general election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Ronald Rabin | 37,809 | 50.99% |
| | Democratic | Brad Salmon | 36,337 | 49.01% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 74,146 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

#### District 13

Incumbent Democrat Michael Walters has represented the 13th district since 2009. The new 13th district lost its share of Hoke County, but now includes Columbus County.
North Carolina Senate 13th district general election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Michael Walters (incumbent) | 46,974 | 72.55% |
| | Republican | W. Bernard White Jr. | 17,770 | 27.45% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 64,744 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

#### District 14

Incumbent Democrat Dan Blue has represented the 14th district since 2009.
North Carolina Senate 14th district general election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Dan Blue (incumbent) | 72,652 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 72,652 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

#### District 15

Incumbent Republican Neal Hunt has represented the 15th district since 2005.
North Carolina Senate 15th district general election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Neal Hunt (incumbent) | 61,981 | 55.82% |
| | Democratic | Sig Hutchinson | 49,050 | 44.18% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 111,031 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

#### District 16

Incumbent Democrat Josh Stein has represented the 16th district since 2009.
North Carolina Senate 16th district general election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Josh Stein (incumbent) | 69,405 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 69,405 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

#### District 17

Incumbent Republican Richard Y. Stevens has represented the 17th district since 2003. Stevens did not seek re-election.
North Carolina Senate 17th district general election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Tamara P. Barringer (incumbent) | 57,101 | 53.67% |
| | Democratic | Erv Portman | 49,298 | 46.33% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 106,399 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

#### District 18

The new 18th district is essentially a new district, including constituents in eastern Wake County and also includes all of Franklin County. Democrat Doug Berger, who has represented 7th district since 2005, had most of his constituents drawn into the 4th and 20th districts, but he sought re-election here where is home was located. The district was expected to favor Republicans and, as expected, Berger lost re-election to Republican opponent Chad Barefoot.
North Carolina Senate 18th district general election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Chad Barefoot | 51,873 | 55.92% |
| | Democratic | Doug Berger (incumbent) | 40,897 | 44.08% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 92,770 | 100% |
| | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic |

#### District 19

Incumbent Republican Wesley Meredith has represented the 19th district since 2011. The new 19th district lost its share of Bladen County and traded Democratic leaning areas with Republican leaning areas to the 21st district in Cumberland County. The gerrymandered district was designed to protect the incumbent Meredith.
North Carolina Senate 19th district general election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Wesley Meredith (incumbent) | 37,308 | 53.88% |
| | Democratic | George Tatum | 31,936 | 46.12% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 69,244 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

#### District 20

Incumbent Democrat Floyd McKissick Jr. has represented the 20th district since 2007.
North Carolina Senate 20th district general election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Floyd McKissick Jr. (incumbent) | 75,673 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 75,673 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

#### District 21

Incumbent Democrat Eric Mansfield has represented the 21st district since 2011. The new district was made heavily Democratic by gaining Hoke County and losing Republican leaning areas in Cumberland County to the 19th district. Mansfield did not seek re-election, instead he ran Lieutenant Governor. Democrat Ben Clark won the open seat.
North Carolina Senate 21st district general election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Ben Clark | 57,805 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 57,805 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

#### District 22

The new 22nd district is a newly created constituency with no incumbent. The new district includes all of Caswell and Person counties as well as parts of Durham County, though most of the city of Durham remains in the heavily Democratic 20th district. Democrat Mike Woodard won the open seat.
North Carolina Senate 22nd district general election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Mike Woodard | 67,484 | 65.38% |
| | Republican | Milton Holmes | 35,730 | 34.62% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 103,214 | 100% |
| | Democratic win (new seat) | Democratic win (new seat) | Democratic win (new seat) | Democratic win (new seat) |

#### District 23

The new 23rd district loses its share of Person County and gains Chatham County. Incumbent Democrats Eleanor Kinnaird, who has represented the 23rd district and its predecessors since 1997, and Bob Atwater, who has represented the 18th district since 2005, were both redistricted here. Atwater retired and Kinnaird ran for re-election.
North Carolina Senate 23rd district general election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Eleanor Kinnaird (incumbent) | 71,919 | 66.97% |
| | Republican | Dave Carter | 35,467 | 33.03% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 107,386 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

#### District 24

Incumbent Republican Rick Gunn has represented the 24th district since 2011.
North Carolina Senate 24th district general election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Rick Gunn (incumbent) | 51,230 | 79.02% |
| | Democratic | Brandon Black | 13,605 | 20.98% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 64,835 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

#### District 25

Incumbent Democrat William R. Purcell has represented the 25th district and its predecessors since 1997. Purcell did not seek re-election. Gene McLaurin won the open seat.
North Carolina Senate 25th district general election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Gene McLaurin | 44,560 | 53.01% |
| | Republican | Gene McIntyre | 39,506 | 46.99% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 84,066 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### Districts 26–50
#### District 26

Incumbent Republican president pro tempore Phil Berger has represented the 26th district since and its predecessors since 2001.
North Carolina Senate 26th district general election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Phil Berger (incumbent) | 58,276 | 61.11% |
| | Democratic | Bobby R. Stanley | 37,092 | 38.89% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 95,368 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

#### District 27

The new 27th district is still based in Guilford County but has been drawn to be more Republican than its predecessor. Incumbent Republican Don Vaughan has represented the 27th district since 2009. Vaughan did not seek re-election.
North Carolina Senate 27th district general election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Trudy Wade | 56,865 | 57.59% |
| | Democratic | Myra Slone | 41,870 | 42.41% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 98,735 | 100% |
| | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic |

#### District 28

Incumbent Democrat Gladys A. Robinson has represented the 28th district since 2011.
North Carolina Senate 28th district general election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Gladys A. Robinson (incumbent) | 80,689 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 80,689 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

#### District 29

The new 29th district lost its share of Montgomery County and the eastern half of Randolph County. It gained all of Moore County. Incumbent Republicans Jerry W. Tillman, who has represented the 29th district since 2003, and Harris Blake, who has represented the 22nd district since 2003, were both redistricted here. Blake retired and Tillman was successfully re-elected here.
North Carolina Senate 29th district general election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Jerry W. Tillman (incumbent) | 65,000 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 65,000 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

#### District 30

Incumbent Republican Don W. East has represented the 30th district since 2005. East died before the election, so all votes cast for him were given to Shirley B. Randleman, who took the seat at the beginning of the 2013–2014 session.
North Carolina Senate 30th district general election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Don W. East (incumbent) | 49,417 | 64.32% |
| | Democratic | Ric Marshall | 27,416 | 35.68% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 76,833 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

#### District 31

Incumbent Republican Pete Brunstetter has represented the 31st district since 2006.
North Carolina Senate 31st district general election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Pete Brunstetter (incumbent) | 71,806 | 68.98% |
| | Democratic | Delmas Parker | 32,298 | 31.02% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 104,104 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

#### District 32

Incumbent Democrat Linda Garrou has represented the 32nd district and its predecessors since 1999. Garrou did not seek re-election. Representative Earline Parmon won the open seat.
North Carolina Senate 32nd district general election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Earline Parmon | 57,803 | 72.99% |
| | Republican | Reginald Reid | 21,387 | 27.01% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 79,190 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

#### District 33

The new 33rd district gained Montgomery County. Incumbent Republican Stan Bingham has represented the 33rd district and its predecessors since 2001.
North Carolina Senate 33rd district general election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Stan Bingham (incumbent) | 61,664 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 61,664 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

#### District 34

Incumbent Republican Andrew C. Brock has represented the 34th district since 2003.
North Carolina Senate 34th district general election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Andrew C. Brock (incumbent) | 62,728 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 62,728 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

#### District 35

Incumbent Republican Tommy Tucker has represented the 35th district since 2011.
North Carolina Senate 35th district general election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Tommy Tucker (incumbent) | 62,213 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 62,213 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

#### District 36

Incumbent Republican Fletcher L. Hartsell Jr. has represented the 36th district and its predecessors since 1991.
North Carolina Senate 36th district general election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Fletcher L. Hartsell Jr. (incumbent) | 60,957 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 60,957 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

#### District 37

Incumbent Democrat Dan Clodfelter has represented the 37th district and its predecessors since 1999.
North Carolina Senate 37th district general election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Dan Clodfelter (incumbent) | 51,376 | 66.98% |
| | Republican | Michael Alan Vadini | 25,325 | 33.02% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 76,701 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

#### District 38

Incumbent Democrat Charlie Dannelly has represented the 38th district and its predecessors since 1995. Dannelly initially ran for re-election but later withdrew. Democrat Joel Ford won the open seat.
North Carolina Senate 38th district general election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Joel Ford | 65,715 | 80.21% |
| | Republican | Richard Rivette | 16,214 | 19.79% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 81,929 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

#### District 39

Incumbent Republican Bob Rucho has represented the 39th district and its predecessors since 2008 and previously from 1997 to 2005.
North Carolina Senate 39th district general election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Bob Rucho (incumbent) | 61,006 | 61.60% |
| | Democratic | Jack Flynn | 38,025 | 38.40% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 99,031 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

#### District 40

Incumbent Democrat Maclom Graham has represented the 40th district since 2005.
North Carolina Senate 40th district general election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Malcolm Graham (incumbent) | 63,925 | 84.11% |
| | Republican | Earl Lyndon Philip | 12,075 | 15.89% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 76,000 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

#### District 41

The new 41st district is based in Mecklenburg County and includes Republican leaning areas in the Northern and Southeastern sections of the county connected by a narrow strip of land that runs along the county's border with Cabarrus County. The district, which has now incumbent, is expected to favor Republicans. Republican Jeff Tarte won the open seat.
North Carolina Senate 41st district general election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Jeff Tarte | 64,153 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 64,153 | 100% |
| | Republican win (new seat) | Republican win (new seat) | Republican win (new seat) | Republican win (new seat) |

#### District 42

Incumbent Republican Austin M. Allran has represented the 42nd district and its predecessors since 1986.
North Carolina Senate 42nd district general election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Austin M. Allran (incumbent) | 54,128 | 64.53% |
| | Democratic | Joseph (Jody) Inglefield | 29,757 | 35.47% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 83,885 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

#### District 43

Incumbent Republican Kathy Harrington has represented the 43rd district since 2011.
North Carolina Senate 43rd district general election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Kathy Harrington (incumbent) | 57,752 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 57,752 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

#### District 44

The new 44th district overlaps with much of the former 41st district represented by Republican Chris Carney since December 20, 2011. Carney sought re-election here but was defeated in the Republican primary by David L. Curtis. Curtis won the general election.
North Carolina Senate 44th district general election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | David L. Curtis | 60,167 | 65.85% |
| | Democratic | Ross Bulla | 31,197 | 34.15% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 91,364 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

#### District 45

Incumbent Republican Dan Soucek has represented the 45th district since 2011.
North Carolina Senate 45th district general election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Dan Soucek (incumbent) | 50,848 | 60.71% |
| | Democratic | Roy J. Carter | 32,913 | 39.29% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 83,761 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

#### District 46

The new 46th district lost its share Caldwell County but gained Cleveland County. Incumbent Republicans Wes Westmoreland, who has represented the 46th district since 2012 and Warren Daniel, who has represented the 44th district since 2011 were both redistricted here. Westmoreland did not seek re-election and Daniel successfully sought re-election here.
North Carolina Senate 46th district general election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Warren Daniel (incumbent) | 43,904 | 55.96% |
| | Democratic | John T. McDevitt | 32,409 | 41.31% |
| | Libertarian | Richard C. Evey | 2,144 | 2.73% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 78,457 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

#### District 47

The new 48th district lost its share of Haywood and Avery counties but gained all of Polk and Rutherford counties. Incumbent Republican Ralph Hise has represented the 47th district since 2011.
North Carolina Senate 47th district general election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Ralph Hise (incumbent) | 46,415 | 56.46% |
| | Democratic | Phil Feagan | 35,799 | 43.54% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 82,214 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

#### District 48

The new 48th District lost Polk County but gained Transylvania County. Incumbent Republican Tom Apodaca has represented the 48th district since 2003.
North Carolina Senate 48th district general election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Tom Apodaca (incumbent) | 62,736 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 62,736 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

#### District 49

Incumbent Democrat Martin Nesbitt has represented the 49th district since 2004.
North Carolina Senate 49th district general election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Martin Nesbitt (incumbent) | 61,826 | 61.96% |
| | Republican | R. L. Clark | 37,953 | 38.04% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 99,779 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

#### District 50

The new 50th district lost Transylvania County but gained all of Haywood County. Incumbent Republican Jim Davis has represented the 50th district since 2011.
North Carolina Senate 50th district general election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Jim Davis (incumbent) | 50,421 | 57.11% |
| | Democratic | John J. Snow Jr. | 37,873 | 42.89% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 88,294 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |