The 2012 Indiana gubernatorial election took place on November 6, 2012. Incumbent governorMitch Daniels was term-limited and unable to seek a third term. The Republican candidate, Congressman Mike Pence; the Democratic candidate, former Speaker of the Indiana House of RepresentativesJohn R. Gregg; and the Libertarian candidate, youth mentor, small business owner and reality TV personality, Rupert Boneham, were all unopposed in their respective primaries or conventions and contested the general election. This is the first open Indiana gubernatorial election since 1996 and the first gubernatorial election since 1972 without the governor or lieutenant governor as a nominee.
When the polls closed, the election was very close, and continued to stay close throughout the night. Gregg performed well in Marion County (Indianapolis) and Lake County (Gary), which were Democratic strongholds. Pence performed well in the Indianapolis suburbs and the Fort Wayne area. At 12:34 am EST, the Associated Press called the race for Pence. At 1:06 am, Gregg called Pence to concede, realizing there were not enough votes left to overtake him. Pence ultimately won the election and took office on January 14, 2013. This was the closest race for governor since 1960.
Rupert Boneham, four-time contestant on Survivor and founder of Rupert's Kids.[3] Boneham was nominated by delegates at his party's state convention.[4]
The Indiana Debate Commission organized three televised debates between Indiana Gubernatorial candidates Republican Mike Pence, Democrat John R. Gregg and Libertarian Rupert Boneham.
Debate schedule
The first debate was held on Wednesday, October 10, 2012 at the Zionsville Performing Arts Center in Zionsville, Indiana and was moderated by former Indianapolis Star editor Dennis Ryerson.
Complete video of debate, October 10, 2012 - C-SPAN
The second debate was held on Wednesday, October 17, 2012 at the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center in South Bend, Indiana and was
moderated by Indiana Fiscal Policy Institute president John Ketzenberger.
Complete video of debate, October 17, 2012 - C-SPAN
The third debate was held on Thursday, October 25, 2012 at the WFWA PBS 39 studio in Fort Wayne, Indiana and was moderated by DePauw University Executive Director of Media Relations Ken Owen.
Complete video of debate, October 25, 2012 - YouTube
Predictions
Polling
Statewide results
Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic
^Rader, Kevin (May 16, 2011). "Former speaker Gregg to run for Indiana governor". WTHR. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved May 21, 2012.
^"Indiana Primary Election, May 8, 2012-United States Senator". Secretary of State of Indiana. June 5, 2012. Archived from the original on October 18, 2014. Retrieved June 11, 2012.
^"'Survivor's' Rupert Boneham Announces He'll Run for Governor of Indiana". The Hollywood Reporter. October 22, 2011. Retrieved May 21, 2012.
^"Rupert Receives Libertarian Nomination". Retrieved November 9, 2012.
^Kelly, Niki (May 21, 2012). "Pence names running mate". The Journal Gazette. Retrieved May 21, 2012.
^ a b"Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Pence chooses running mate". WXIN. May 21, 2012. Retrieved May 21, 2012.
^Shella, Jim (May 21, 2012). "Gregg to name Sen. Simpson as running mate". WISH-TV. Retrieved May 21, 2012.
^Rodgers, Lauren (May 7, 2012). "State executive primary preview: No surprises in Indiana tomorrow". Ballotnews. Archived from the original on May 16, 2012. Retrieved May 21, 2012.
^"2012 Governor Race Ratings for November 1, 2012". The Cook Political Report. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
^"PROJECTION: OBAMA WILL LIKELY WIN SECOND TERM". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Archived from the original on December 1, 2018. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
^"2012 Gubernatorial Ratings". Gubernatorial Ratings. The Rothenberg Political Report. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
^"2012 Elections Map - 2012 Governor Races". Real Clear Politics. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
^"Election Results". in.gov/apps/sos. November 28, 2012. Retrieved December 17, 2012.
^"Daily Kos".
External links
Election Division Archived November 8, 2012, at the Wayback Machine at the Indiana Secretary of State office
Indiana gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2012 at Ballotpedia