The Green Papers: North Dakota 2012 General Election
 
This page is for offices up for election in 2012. Find 2013 elections here.
 
Flag images courtesy of The World Flag Database. Copyright http://www.flags.net/ North Dakota
Elections for Statewide offices and Congress
Primary: Tuesday 12 June 2012
General Election: Tuesday 6 November 2012
Senators:2(Electoral Classes 1 and 3)
Governor:1 
2010 Census:675,905 (0.22% of 309,785,186)
2012, 2016, 2020 Electoral Votes:3(0.56% of 538)
2012-2020 Representatives:1(0.23% of 435)
2000 Census:643,756 (0.23% of 281,998,273)
2004, 2008 Electoral Votes:3(0.56% of 538)
2002-2010 Representatives:1(0.23% of 435)
Voter Registration:North Dakota has no voter registration.
Capital:Bismarck
Tuesday 12 June 2012 polling hours 7:00a CDT (1200 UTC) / 7:00a MDT (1300 UTC) to 9:00p CDT (0200 UTC) / 9:00p MDT (0300 UTC). Voting places open between 7:00a to 12:00n and remain open until 7:00p to 9:00p depending on the size of the town. The western half of the state is in Mountain Time but that is, of course, the more sparsely populated part of the state, so it is not as problematic to the networks as might be otherwise suggested by simple geography.
Tuesday 6 November 2012 polling hours 7:00a CST (1300 UTC) / 7:00a MST (1400 UTC) to 9:00p CST (0300 UTC) / 9:00p MST (0400 UTC). Voting places open between 7:00a to 12:00n and remain open until 7:00p to 9:00p depending on the size of the town. The western half of the state is in Mountain Time but that is, of course, the more sparsely populated part of the state, so it is not as problematic to the networks as might be otherwise suggested by simple geography. In 2012, polls will close at 8pm CST in Cass County and at 7pm CST or 7pm MST in most other polling places.
 

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North Dakota State and Local Government

North Dakota 2012 Presidential Primaries, Caucuses, and Conventions:
Democrats, Republicans, Third Parties


The 12 June 2012 primary is for the Constitution, Democratic, Libertarian, and Republican parties.


12 June 2012 Primary returns from an official source.

6 November 2012 General Election Contest/Candidate List from the North Dakota Secretary of State.

6 November 2012 General Election returns from the North Dakota Secretary of State. On 31 May 2013, the vote tallies for Walsh County were corrected after it was determined that about 300 ballots were double counted. No outcomes were affected.

 
           

President  4 year term, Election Cycle: 2012, 2016. Term Limit: No more than 2 4-year terms in a lifetime. Electors: 3 (Winner-take-all), How Appointed, Meeting Place, Duly Appointed Presidential Electors, List of Presidential Candidates.
Up for election in 2012
  Elected Republican 188,163 58.32% former Massachusetts Governor Willard "Mitt" Romney
(3 Electoral Votes)
Vice President: Wisconsin Congressman Paul D. Ryan

FEC P80003353; 26 Nov 12; Tot $478,704,347; Dsb $465,787,141
  Candidate Democratic-Nonpartisan League 124,827 38.69% President Barack Hussein Obama
Vice President: Vice President Joseph Robinette "Joe" Biden, Jr.

FEC P80003338; 26 Nov 12; Tot $732,741,988; Dsb $729,647,987
  Candidate Libertarian 5,231 1.62% former New Mexico Governor Gary Earl Johnson
Vice President: James P. "Jim" Gray

FEC P20002671; 26 Nov 12; Tot $2,575,529; Dsb $2,572,585
  Candidate Scattering 1,860 0.58% write-in
  Candidate Green 1,361 0.42% Jill E. Stein
Vice President: Cheri Honkala

FEC P20003984; 26 Nov 12; Tot $1,005,788; Dsb $1,093,022
  Candidate Constitution 1,185 0.37% former Congressman Virgil Hamlin Goode, Jr.
Vice President: James N. "Jim" Clymer

FEC P20004685; 26 Nov 12; Tot $202,258; Dsb $202,253
Total 322,627 100.00%  

U.S. Senate  6 year term. No Term Limit. 112th Senate  Senate Electoral Classes

Class 1
Seat up for election
Open
Democratic Senator Gaylord Kent "Kent" Conrad
First elected to the "Class 3" seat from the state: 1986; was not a candidate for re-election in the 3 November 1992 General Election; Elected to finish out the "Class 1" term in a Special Election: 4 December 1992 [held to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Senator Quentin N. Burdick (Democrat): 8 September 1992- which Jocelyn B. Burdick (Democrat) had been appointed by Governor George Sinner (Democrat) to fill, 12 September 1992]; elected to a full term: 1994, 2000, 2006
Seat up for election: Tuesday 6 November 2012
Open Seat - 18 January 2011: Announced retirement.
 ** Open Seat (no incumbent) **
  Elected Democratic-Nonpartisan League 161,163 50.23% former North Dakota Attorney General Heidi Heitkamp
FEC S2ND00099; 26 Nov 12; Tot $5,343,758; Dsb $5,320,129
  Candidate Republican 158,282 49.33% Congressman Richard A. "Rick" Berg
FEC S2ND00073; 26 Nov 12; Tot $6,501,693; Dsb $6,185,051
  Candidate Scattering 1,406 0.44% write-in
Total 320,851 100.00%  

Class 3 Republican Senator John Hoeven
First elected: 2010
Seat up for election: Tuesday 8 November 2016

Governor  4 year term, Election Cycle: 2008, 2012. Term Limit: None, All Governors

Chair up for election Republican Governor Jack Dalrymple
• Re-elected Tuesday 6 November 2012
First sworn: 7 December 2010 re: Governor John Hoeven (Republican) ascension to the U.S. Senate.
Chair up for election: Tuesday 6 November 2012
Renominated - 12 June 2012 Primary
  Elected Republican 200,526 63.10% Governor Jack Dalrymple
for Lieutenant Governor, Lieutenant Governor Drew H. Wrigley
  Candidate Democratic-Nonpartisan League 109,047 34.31% state Senator Ryan M. Taylor
for Lieutenant Governor, Ellen Chaffee
  Candidate Independent 5,356 1.69% Paul Sorum
Vice President: Michael Coachman
  Candidate Independent 2,616 0.82% Roland Clifford Riemers
Vice President: Anthony Johns
  Candidate Scattering 267 0.08% write-in
Total 317,812 100.00%  
 Governor John Hoeven (Republican) ran for an won the U.S. Senate Class 3 seat in North Dakota in 2010. He was first elected as Governor in 2000 and re-elected in 2004 and 2008. Lieutenant Governor Jack Dalrymple was sworn in as the 32nd Governor of North Dakota on 7 December 2010. Mr. Dalrymple was first elected as Lieutenant Governor in 2000 and re-elected in 2004 and 2008.

Lieutenant Governor  4 year term, Election Cycle: 2008, 2012. Elected on a ticket with the Governor

Seat up for election Republican Lieutenant Governor Drew H. Wrigley
Appointed 7 December 2010 re: Lieutenant Governor Jack Dalrymple ascension to the Governor's chair.
Seat up for election: Tuesday 6 November 2012
 Lieutenant Governor Jack Dalrymple (Republican), who was first elected in 2000 and re-elected in 2004 and 2008, was sworn in as the 32nd Governor of North Dakota on 7 December 2010. Drew H. Wrigley was appointed as North Dakota's 37th Lieutenant Governor upon Governor Dalrymple's assumption of office.

112th U.S. House of Representatives  2-year term. Election Cycle 2010, 2012. No Term Limit. 112th House
Partisan Composition (primary disposition):
1 Republican (1 Open)

Incumbent - 112th Congress / 2000 apportionment - map
At-Large
Seat up for election
Open
Republican Congressman Richard A. "Rick" Berg
First elected: 2010
Seat up for election: Tuesday 6 November 2012
Open Seat - 16 May 2011: Congressman Berg announced that he will run for the Senate Class 1 Seat in 2012.
 ** Open Seat (no incumbent) **
 Candidate list - 113th Congress / 2010 apportionment
  Elected Republican 173,433 54.87% Public Service Commissioner Kevin Cramer
FEC H0ND01026; 26 Nov 12; Tot $1,321,179; Dsb $1,219,283
  Candidate Democratic-Nonpartisan League 131,869 41.72% former state Representative Pam Gulleson
FEC H2ND00115; 26 Nov 12; Tot $1,018,243; Dsb $1,012,114
  Candidate Libertarian 10,261 3.25% Eric Olson
FEC H2ND00149
  Candidate Scattering 508 0.16% write-in
Total 316,071 100.00%  

Secretary of State  4 year term, Election Cycle: 2010, 2014

  Republican Secretary of State Alvin A. "Al" Jaeger
First elected: 1992; re-elected: 1996; 2000, 2004 (to a 2 year term), 2006 (to a 4 year term), 2010
Seat up for election: Tuesday 4 November 2014

Attorney General  4 year term, Election Cycle: 2010, 2014

  Republican Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem
First elected: 2000, re-elected: 2004 (to a 2 year term), 2006 (to a 4 year term), 2010
Seat up for election: Tuesday 4 November 2014

Treasurer  4 year term, Election Cycle: 2008, 2012

Seat up for election Republican Treasurer Kelly L. Schmidt
• Re-elected Tuesday 6 November 2012
First elected: 2004; re-elected: 2008
Seat up for election: Tuesday 6 November 2012
Renominated - 12 June 2012 Primary
  Elected Republican 197,044 65.83% Treasurer Kelly L. Schmidt
  Candidate Democratic-Nonpartisan League 101,792 34.01% Ross Mushik
  Candidate Scattering 472 0.16% write-in
Total 299,308 100.00%  

Auditor  4 year term, Election Cycle: 2008, 2012

Seat up for election Republican Auditor Robert R. "Bob" Peterson
• Re-elected Tuesday 6 November 2012
First elected: 1996; re-elected: 2000, 2004, 2008
Seat up for election: Tuesday 6 November 2012
Renominated - 12 June 2012 Primary
  Elected Republican 188,860 62.50% Auditor Robert R. "Bob" Peterson
  Candidate Democratic-Nonpartisan League 112,802 37.33% state Representative Scot Kelsh
  Candidate Scattering 516 0.17% write-in
Total 302,178 100.00%  

Commissioner of Agriculture  4 year term, Election Cycle: 2010, 2014

  Republican Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring
Appointed: 6 April 2009 by Governor John Hoeven upon the resignation of Roger Johnson; first elected: 2010
Seat up for election: Tuesday 4 November 2014

Tax Commissioner  4 year term, Election Cycle: 2010, 2014

  Republican Tax Commissioner Cory Fong
Appointed 1 June 2005 to fill the unexpired term of Rick Clayburgh; first elected: 2006; re-elected: 2010
Seat up for election: Tuesday 4 November 2014

Commissioner of Insurance  4 year term, Election Cycle: 2008, 2012

Seat up for election Republican Insurance Commissioner Adam Hamm
• Re-elected Tuesday 6 November 2012
Appointed 9 October 2007 by Governor John Hoeven; first elected: 2008
Seat up for election: Tuesday 6 November 2012
Renominated - 12 June 2012 Primary
  Elected Republican 192,029 63.25% Insurance Commissioner Adam Hamm
  Candidate Democratic-Nonpartisan League 111,100 36.59% Tom Potter
  Candidate Scattering 485 0.16% write-in
Total 303,614 100.00%  

Superintendent of Public Instruction  4 year term, Election Cycle: 2008, 2012

Seat up for election
Open
Nonpartisan Public Instruction Superintendent Wayne G. Sanstead
First elected: 1988; re-elected: 1992, 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008
Seat up for election: Tuesday 6 November 2012
Open Seat - Retiring at the end of his term.
 ** Open Office (no incumbent) **
  Elected Nonpartisan; (Republican) 154,177 55.05% Kirsten Baesler
  Candidate Nonpartisan; (Democratic-Farmer Labor) 124,807 44.57% Tracy Potter
  Candidate Scattering 1,071 0.38% write-in
Total 280,055 100.00%  
  
The two candidates receiving the highest number of votes in the Primary Election will appear on the General Election ballot.

Public Service Commissioner 1  6 year term, Election Cycle: 2010, 2016

  Republican Public Service Commissioner Kevin Cramer
Appointed by Governor John Hoeven to fill the un-expired term of Leo M. Reinbold: 2003; first elected to a full term: 2004; re-elected: 2010
Seat up for election: Tuesday 8 November 2016
Running for U.S. House At-Large in 2012

Public Service Commissioner 2  6 year term, Election Cycle: 2006, 2012

Seat up for election
Open
Republican Public Service Commissioner Tony Clark
First elected: 2000; re-elected: 2006
Seat up for election: Tuesday 6 November 2012
Open Seat
 ** Open Office (no incumbent) **
  Elected Republican 164,591 54.48% Randy Christmann
  Candidate Democratic-Nonpartisan League 123,978 41.04% Brad Crabtree
  Candidate Libertarian 13,098 4.34% Joshua Voytek
  Candidate Scattering 433 0.14% write-in
Total 302,100 100.00%  

Public Service Commissioner 3  6 year term, Election Cycle: 2008, 2014

  Republican Public Service Commissioner Brian P. Kalk
First elected: 2008
Seat up for election: Tuesday 4 November 2014
12 January 2011: Formed an exploratory committee to run for the Senate Class 1 seat in 2012.
20 May 2011: Announced he will no longer seek the Class 1 Senate Seat in 2012. Instead, he will run for the At-Large U.S. House Seat.
 

Political Parties    Parties appear in parenthesis and italics when a candidate receives the endorsement of a given Party and/or official sources indicate a candidate's association with a particular Party but only where the Party in question does not appear on the actual ballot as such.

Major Parties
  Democratic (affiliates): 1 incumbent
  Democratic-Farmer Labor (affiliate of Democratic): 1 candidate
  Democratic-Nonpartisan League (affiliate of Democratic): 8 candidates
  Republican: 14 incumbents, 9 candidates
Major Third Parties
  Constitution (affiliates): 1 candidate
  Green (affiliates): 1 candidate
  Libertarian: 3 candidates
Independents
  Independent: 2 candidates
  Nonpartisan: 1 incumbent, 2 candidates
Write-in/Scattered/otherwise not readily classifiable
  Scattering: 9 candidates
 
Candidates running under the banner of more than one party are counted towards each party's total. A candidate who has lost a primary or is apparently no longer a candidate is not counted.

Notes

Candidates for office appear on this page in italics where 'The Green Papers' does not yet have independent confirmation from a legal election authority that the person has been officially certified to appear on the ballot.

"FEC" indicates the Federal Election Commission (FEC) Campaign Finance Summary.

When available, we post each candidate's FEC identification number, the date of their most recently filed Report of Receipts and Disbursements, their "Tot" [Total Receipts (contributions received or what came in: FEC Form 3, Line 16, Column B)] and their "Dsb" [Total Disbursements (expenditures or what was spent: FEC Form 3, Line 23, Column B)]. A link is provided to the Federal Election Commission's Summary Report for those who might wish to explore the details.

If a candidate raises or spends $5,000 or less, he or she is not subject to FEC reporting requirements.


 


  2012 General Election Home  
 
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  Gubernatorial Popular Vote by Party  
  113th U.S. House Popular Vote and FEC Total Receipts by Party  
  Close Contests Summary - Decision by 2% or less  
  Contests Where No Candidate Received a Majority  
 
2012 Primaries and Runoffs for Statewide offices/Congress
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History
  Political Party Floor Leaders in the Congress of the United States  
  Dates of DIRECT PRIMARY Elections re: Major Party Nominations for Statewide and/or Federal Office  
  Length of Terms of Office of STATE Governors throughout American History  
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  Dates of U.S. Presidential Election "Events": 1789 to present  
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Electoral College
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