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Montana's 2012 elections U.S. Senate • U.S. House • Governor • Lt. Gov • Attorney General • Secretary of State • Other executive offices • State Senate • State House • State ballot measures • Candidate ballot access |
The Montana gubernatorial election took place on November 6, 2012. The primary election was held on June 5, 2012.
Both Montana's current governor, Brian Schweitzer, and his lieutenant governor, John Bohlinger were prevented by term limits from seeking another term in office, leaving both seats open.[1]
In Montana, the governor and lieutenant governor are elected on a single ticket. In 2012, 11 sets of candidates entered the race: two Democrats, seven Republicans, one Libertarian and one set of independent candidates. The field was whittled down to four after the two major parties selected their candidates in the June 5th primary:
Steve Bullock and John E. Walsh (D) ![]()
Rick Hill and Jon Sonju (R)
Ron Vandevender and Marc Mulcahy (L)
Bill Coate and Joni Oja
| Governor/Lieutenant Governor of Montana General Election, 2012 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | 48.9% | 236,450 | ||
| Republican | Rick Hill and Jon Sonju | 47.3% | 228,879 | |
| Libertarian | Ron Vandevender and Marc Mulcahy | 3.8% | 18,160 | |
| Total Votes | 483,489 | |||
| Election results via Montana Secretary of State | ||||
According to the website Daily Kos, this race was one of nine top-ballot 2012 races that contained Libertarian candidates who received more total votes than was the difference between the Democratic winner and the GOP runner-up. In this case, Ron Vandevender took in over 9,000 more votes than the number that separated Bullock and Hill.[2]
| Governor/Lt. Governor of Montana, Democratic Primary, 2012 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes | ||
| 86.6% | 76,738 | |||
| Heather Margolis & Steve Nelsen | 13.4% | 11,823 | ||
| Total Votes | 88,561 | |||
| Election results via Montana Secretary of State. | ||||
| Governor/Lt. Governor of Montana, Republican Primary, 2012 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes | ||
| 34.4% | 46,802 | |||
| Corey Stapleton & Bob Keenan | 18.1% | 24,661 | ||
| Ken Miller & Bill Gallagher | 18% | 24,496 | ||
| Jim O'Hara & Scott Swingley | 12.2% | 16,653 | ||
| Neil Livingstone & Ryan Zinke | 8.8% | 12,038 | ||
| Jim Lynch & Al Olszewski | 6.1% | 8,323 | ||
| Bob Fanning & Joel Boniek | 2.3% | 3,087 | ||
| Total Votes | 136,060 | |||
| Election results via Montana Secretary of State. | ||||
2013 →
← 2011
|
| 2012 State Executive Official Elections |
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| News • Calendar |
| Deadline | Event |
|---|---|
| Jan. 12 - Mar. 12 | Candidate filing period |
| May 7 | Voter registration for primary election |
| June 4, Noon | Requests received for absentee ballot for primary election |
| June 5 | Primary election |
| Aug. 13 | Deadline for candidates to withdrawal general election candidacy |
| Aug. 23 | Secretary of State certifies candidates on ballot |
| Nov. 5 | Requests received for absentee ballot for general election |
| Nov. 6 | General election |
| Dec. 3 | Official results certified |
| 2011 Race Rankings - Montana Governor | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Race Tracker | Race Rating | |||
| The Cook Political Report[3] | Toss-up | |||
| Governing Politics[4] | Lean Republican | |||
| Larry J. Sabato's Crystal Ball[5] | Leans Republican | |||
| Rasmussen Reports Gubernatorial Scorecard[6] | No prediction yet | |||
| The Rothenberg Political Report[7] | Pure Toss-up | |||
| Overall Call | ||||
Steve Bullock and John E. Walsh (D)
Rick Hill and Jon Sonju (R)
Ron Vandevender and Marc Mulcahy (L)
Bill Coate and Joni Oja
Despite early speculation, there were a few surprises when the dust had settled after the candidate filing period came to an end on March 12, 2012.
Six of the nine gubernatorial candidates provided The Billings Gazette with a list of five individuals, groups or a combination that had endorsed them.[14]
Steve Bullock
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Neil Livingstone
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Corey Stapleton
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| Governor of Montana | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poll | Steve Bullock | Rick Hill | Undecided | Margin of error | Sample size | ||||||||||||||
| Pharos Research Group (October 26-28, 2012) | 47.1% | 44.4% | 8.5% | +/-3.5 | 799 | ||||||||||||||
| Note: The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted in this race. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to editor@ballotpedia.org. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Governor of Montana | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poll | Steve Bullock | Rick Hill | Ron Vandevender | Bill Coate | Undecided | Margin of error | Sample size | ||||||||||||
| Public Policy Polling (October 8-10, 2012) | 42% | 43% | 4% | 4% | 7% | +/-3.6 | 737 | ||||||||||||
| Public Policy Polling (September 10-11, 2012) | 44% | 39% | 4% | 4% | 9% | +/-3.8 | 656 | ||||||||||||
| AVERAGES | 43% | 41% | 4% | 4% | 8% | +/-3.7 | 696.5 | ||||||||||||
| Note: The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted in this race. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to editor@ballotpedia.org. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Governor of Montana | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poll | Steve Bullock | Rick Hill | Ron Vandevender | Undecided | Margin of error | Sample size | |||||||||||||
| Mason-Dixon Polling and Research ( October 29-31, 2012) | 46% | 49% | 2% | 3% | +/-4.0 | 625 | |||||||||||||
| Mason-Dixon Polling and Research (September 17-19, 2012) | 44% | 43% | 2% | 11% | +/-4.0 | 625 | |||||||||||||
| AVERAGES | 45% | 46% | 2% | 7% | +/-4 | 625 | |||||||||||||
| Note: The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted in this race. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to editor@ballotpedia.org. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Steve Bullock vs. Jeff Essmann | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poll | Steve Bullock | Jeff Essmann | Undecided | Margin of error | Sample size | ||||||||||||||
| Public Policy Polling (November 28-30, 2011) | 42% | 30% | 28% | +/-2.4 | 1,625 | ||||||||||||||
| Note: The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted in this race. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to editor@ballotpedia.org. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Steve Bullock vs. Rick Hill | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poll | Steve Bullock | Rick Hill | Undecided | Margin of error | Sample size | ||||||||||||||
| Public Policy Polling (November 28-30, 2011) | 38% | 39% | 23% | +/-2.4 | 1,625 | ||||||||||||||
| Note: The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted in this race. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to editor@ballotpedia.org. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Steve Bullock vs. Neil Livingstone | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poll | Steve Bullock | Neil Livingstone | Undecided | Margin of error | Sample size | ||||||||||||||
| Public Policy Polling (November 28-30, 2011) | 41% | 29% | 30% | +/-2.4 | 1,625 | ||||||||||||||
| Note: The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted in this race. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to editor@ballotpedia.org. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Steve Bullock vs. Ken Miller | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poll | Steve Bullock | Ken Miller | Undecided | Margin of error | Sample size | ||||||||||||||
| Public Policy Polling (November 28-30, 2011) | 40% | 31% | 29% | +/-2.4 | 1,625 | ||||||||||||||
| Note: The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted in this race. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to editor@ballotpedia.org. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Larry Jent vs. Jeff Essmann | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poll | Larry Jent | Jeff Essmann | Undecided | Margin of error | Sample size | ||||||||||||||
| Public Policy Polling (November 28-30, 2011) | 26% | 30% | 44% | +/-2.4 | 1,625 | ||||||||||||||
| Note: The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted in this race. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to editor@ballotpedia.org. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Larry Jent vs. Rick Hill | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poll | Larry Jent | Rick Hill | Undecided | Margin of error | Sample size | ||||||||||||||
| Public Policy Polling (November 28-30, 2011) | 26% | 39% | 35% | +/-2.4 | 1,625 | ||||||||||||||
| Note: The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted in this race. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to editor@ballotpedia.org. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Larry Jent vs. Neil Livingstone | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poll | Larry Jent | Neil Livingstone | Undecided | Margin of error | Sample size | ||||||||||||||
| Public Policy Polling (November 28-30, 2011) | 26% | 30% | 44% | +/-2.4 | 1,625 | ||||||||||||||
| Note: The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted in this race. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to editor@ballotpedia.org. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Larry Jent vs. Ken Miller | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poll | Larry Jent | Ken Miller | Undecided | Margin of error | Sample size | ||||||||||||||
| Public Policy Polling (November 28-30, 2011) | 25% | 33% | 42% | +/-2.4 | 1,625 | ||||||||||||||
| Note: The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted in this race. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to editor@ballotpedia.org. | |||||||||||||||||||
The candidates for governor met several times, though not always as a full field.
On February 27, the Cascade County Farm Bureau sponsored a forum for 8 Republicans and 1 Democrat, Larry Jent. The candidates addressed a range of issues, including the threat of brucellosis to the state's cattle population, combination schools in rural communities, and the Keystone XL pipeline. Each candidate was also given the opportunity to make their case to the voters.[15]
Five of the seven GOP gubernatorial candidates met in Whitefish on May 2. Key issues in the debate included lowering property taxes, utilizing more of the state's natural resources, making the state's legal and regulatory climate less adversarial and finding new funding sources for public education.[16][17]
At the beginning of the debate the candidates were asked, in turn, to highlight the strengths of their campaign and refute issues that have been brought to light throughout the campaign.
The Montana Commissioner of Political Practices administers campaign finance law and maintains all records online.
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Due dates for primary election:
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Due dates for general election:
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| Steve Bullock Campaign Finance Reports | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Report | Date Filed | Beginning Balance | Total Contributions for Reporting Period | Expenditures | Cash on Hand | ||||
| Pre-primary report #1[18] | May 19, 2012 | $394,985.03 | $72,910.01 | $(47,915.10) | $419,979.94 | ||||
| Pre-primary report #2[19] | May 31, 2012 | $419,669.94 | $34,633.00 | $(7,440.44) | $446,862.50 | ||||
| Post-primary report[20] | June 25, 2012 | $446,562.50 | $97,539.12 | $(24,115.81) | $519,985.81 | ||||
| Running totals | |||||||||
| $205,082.13 | $(79,471.35) | ||||||||
| Rick Hill Campaign Finance Reports | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Report | Date Filed | Beginning Balance | Total Contributions for Reporting Period | Expenditures | Cash on Hand | ||||
| Pre-primary report #1[21] | May 20, 2012 | $220,936.86 | $43,894.02 | $(165,182.23) | $99,648.65 | ||||
| Pre-primary report #2[22] | May 31, 2012 | $95,748.65 | $25,497.00 | $(75,529.58) | $45,716.07 | ||||
| Post-primary report[23] | June 25, 2012 | $45,716.07 | $31,258.69 | $(59,808.78) | $17,165.98 | ||||
| Running totals | |||||||||
| $100,649.71 | $(300,520.59) | ||||||||
| Ron Vandevender Campaign Finance Reports | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Report | Date Filed | Beginning Balance | Total Contributions for Reporting Period | Expenditures | Cash on Hand | ||||
| Pre-primary report #1[24] | May 21, 2012 | $5.72 | $30.00 | $(25.95) | $9.77 | ||||
| Pre-primary report #2[25] | May 30, 2012 | $9.77 | $41.00 | $(40.95) | $9.82 | ||||
| Post-primary report[26] | June 25, 2012 | $9.82 | $0.00 | $(0.00) | $9.82 | ||||
| Running totals | |||||||||
| $71 | $(66.9) | ||||||||
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Democrats:
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Republicans:
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Libertarian:
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Steve Bullock |
Rick Hill |
Republican Governors Association
AFSCME MT
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Suggest a link |
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