The primary election on June 5 took place under California's new blanket primary law, where all candidates appear on the same ballot, regardless of party. In the primary, voters voted for any candidate listed, or write-in any other candidate. The top two finishers—regardless of party—advanced to the general election in November, even if a candidate managed to receive a majority of the votes cast in the June primary. In the primary, less than 15% of the total 2010 census population voted. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein announced her intention to run for a fourth full term in April 2011[2] and finished first in the blanket primary with 49.5% of the vote. The second-place finisher was Republican candidate and autism activist Elizabeth Emken, who won 12.7% of the vote.
Feinstein ultimately defeated Emken in the general election on November 6, winning 62.5% of the vote to Emken's 37.5%. Feinstein's total of 7.86 million popular votes is the most ever received by a candidate for U.S. Senate in American history.[3] For a full decade, Emken was the only Republican candidate to have advanced to a general U.S. Senate election in California, as only Democratic candidates advanced to the general election in 2016 and 2018; however, this streak was broken in 2022.
Despite Don J. Grundmann running, the American Independent Party gave their party endorsement to Republican Robert Lauten.[14]
Polling
Open Primary
Results
Primary results by county:
Feinstein >= 20%
Feinstein >= 30%
Feinstein >= 40%
Feinstein >= 50%
Feinstein >= 60%
Feinstein >= 70%
Election contest
In July 2012, Taitz sued to block the certification of the primary election results, alleging "rampant election fraud", but her suit was denied.[16][17]
^Dr. Michael McDonald (February 9, 2013). "2012 General Election Turnout Rates". George Mason University. Archived from the original on April 24, 2013. Retrieved April 3, 2013.
^Marinucci, Carla (April 30, 2011). "US Sen. Dianne Feinstein on nuclear energy and her 2012 re-election: "My plan is to run"". San Francisco Chronicle Politics Blog. Archived from the original on January 22, 2012.
^Mahtesian, Charles (November 26, 2012). "Feinstein's record: 7.3 million votes". POLITICO. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
^Reston, Maeve (October 25, 2010). "Feinstein hints she'll run again in 2012". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on January 13, 2011. Retrieved January 3, 2011.
^Milhalcik, Carrie. "Citizen candidate to challenge Dianne Feinstein in Senate race". Current TV. Archived from the original on March 20, 2012. Retrieved March 22, 2012.
^Walker, Mark (December 1, 2011). "REGION: Ramona man running against Feinstein in 2012". North County Times. Archived from the original on September 7, 2012. Retrieved February 12, 2012.
^Van Oot, Torey (November 28, 2011). "Republican Elizabeth Emken to run against Sen. Dianne Feinstein". The Sacramento Bee. Archived from the original on November 30, 2011. Retrieved November 28, 2011.
^ a bRichman, Josh (November 29, 2011). "Danville woman seeks GOP nod to take on Feinstein". Oakland Tribune. Contra Costa Times. Archived from the original on December 31, 2011. Retrieved February 12, 2012.
^Merl, Jean (February 6, 2012). "GOP businessman joins field challenging Sen. Dianne Feinstein". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on February 13, 2012. Retrieved February 12, 2012.
^Surowski, Peter (May 18, 2011). "Rabbi Who Denounced Temecula Mosque Runs for Senate". Temecula Patch. Archived from the original on May 22, 2012. Retrieved February 12, 2012.
^"Orly Taitz Senate Campaign: 'Birther Queen' Running As GOP Candidate For U.S. Senate Seat In California". The Huffington Post. November 4, 2011. Archived from the original on November 7, 2011. Retrieved November 7, 2011.
^"Rick Williams for Senate". Archived from the original on March 9, 2012. Retrieved March 13, 2012.
^"Voter Information Guide" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on October 28, 2015. Retrieved December 30, 2022.
^"Statement of Vote (June 5, 2012, Presidential Primary Election)" (PDF). California Secretary of State. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 7, 2017. Retrieved December 1, 2017.
^Wisckol, Martin (July 12, 2012). "O.C. 'birther' sues to block primary election results". The Orange County Register. Archived from the original on July 17, 2012.
^Wisckol, Martin (July 13, 2012). "O.C. 'birther' suit to block election results denied". The Orange County Register. Archived from the original on July 17, 2012.
^Federal Election Commission. "2012 House and Senate Campaign Finance for California FEINSTEIN, DIANNE". fec.gov. Archived from the original on July 21, 2013.
^Federal Election Commission. "2012 House and Senate Campaign Finance for California EMKEN, ELIZABETH". fec.gov. Archived from the original on July 21, 2013.
^"Top Contributors 2012 Race: California Senate". OpenSecrets. Archived from the original on April 7, 2014.
^"Top Industries 2012 Race: California Senate". OpenSecrets. Archived from the original on April 7, 2014.
^"Elizabeth Emken". ElizabethEmken.com. Archived from the original on October 18, 2016. Retrieved November 2, 2016.
^PaoloPhotoFilms (September 8, 2012). ""Feinstein Walks Out On Reporter", California US Senate debate". Archived from the original on January 12, 2018 – via YouTube.
^"Sen. Feinstein explains decision not to debate". ocregister.com. November 1, 2012. Archived from the original on December 9, 2012.
^"2012 Senate Race Ratings for November 1, 2012". The Cook Political Report. Retrieved September 20, 2018.
^"2012 Senate". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved September 20, 2018.
^"2012 Senate Ratings". Senate Ratings. The Rothenberg Political Report. Retrieved September 20, 2018.
^"2012 Elections Map - Battle for the Senate 2012". Real Clear Politics. Retrieved September 20, 2018.
^"Archived copy" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on December 24, 2016. Retrieved January 15, 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
^"Daily Kos Elections' statewide election results by congressional and legislative districts". Daily Kos. Retrieved August 11, 2020.