Wikipedia

2012 North Carolina Council of State election

The North Carolina Council of State elections of 2012 were held November 6, 2012 to select the nine officers of the North Carolina Council of State. This election coincided with the U.S. presidential election, U.S. House elections, the gubernatorial election and the statewide judicial elections. Primary elections were held on May 8, 2012; for races in which no candidate received 40 percent of the vote in the primary, runoff elections (officially known as "second" primaries) were held on July 17.[1][2]

2012 North Carolina Council of State election
← 2008 November 6, 2012 (2012-11-06) 2016 →
All 10 members of the North Carolina Council of State
  Majority party Minority party
 
Party Democratic Republican
Last election 8 2
Seats won 6 4
Seat change Decrease 2 Increase 2
Percentage 53.87% 46.08%
Swing Increase 0.65% Decrease 0.32%

The nine members of the North Carolina Council of State are statewide-elected officers serving four-year terms.[3] In the 2012 elections, all incumbents who ran for new terms were re-elected, while the Governor and Lieutenant Governor's seats were open following incumbent Bev Perdue's decision to retire, and Walter Dalton's decision to run for governor, respectively.

The partisan makeup of the Council of State changed from 8 Democrats and 2 Republicans before the election to 6 Democrats and 4 Republicans afterward, as Republicans flipped both the Governor and Lieutenant Governor.

Governor

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Main article: North Carolina gubernatorial election, 2012

Republican Pat McCrory was elected governor.

Lieutenant governor

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Main article: North Carolina lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2012

Republican Dan Forest was elected lieutenant governor.

Attorney general

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Main article: North Carolina Attorney General election, 2012

Roy Cooper, the Democratic incumbent attorney general, ran for re-election unopposed.[4]

Results

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General election results [5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Roy Cooper 2,828,941 100
Total votes 2,828,941 100

Secretary of State

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Democratic primary

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Republican primary

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Polling

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Poll source Date(s)
administered 		Sample
size 		Margin of
error 		Michael
Beitler 		A.J.
Daoud 		Kenn
Gardner 		Eddy
Goodwin 		Undecided
Public Policy Polling[12] May 5–6, 2012 496 ± 4.4% 8% 11% 23% 14% 45%
Public Policy Polling[13] April 27–29, 2012 486 ± 4.4% 7% 9% 20% 11% 52%
Public Policy Polling[14] April 20–22, 2012 521 ± 4.3% 6% 6% 17% 10% 61%

Primary results

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Republican primary results [15]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Ed Goodwin 246,641 35.94
Republican Kenn Gardner 204,630 29.82
Republican Michael (Mike) Beitler 166,061 24.2
Republican A. J. Daoud 68,834 10.03
Total votes 686,166 100

As no candidate received 40 percent of the vote, state law allows the runner-up to request a second primary (or "runoff"). Gardner requested a runoff.[16]

Republican 2nd primary results [17]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Ed Goodwin 74,252 54.48
Republican Kenn Gardner 62,044 45.52
Total votes 136,296 100

General election

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Polling

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Poll source Date(s)
administered 		Sample
size 		Margin of
error 		Elaine
Marshall (D) 		Ed
Goodwin (R) 		Undecided
Public Policy Polling[18] October 23–25, 2012 880 LV ± 3.3% 43% 38% 19%
Public Policy Polling[19] September 27–30, 2012 981 ± 3.1% 41% 34% 24%
Public Policy Polling[20] August 2–5, 2012 813 ± 3.4% 43% 37% 19%

Results

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General election results [5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Elaine Marshall 2,331,173 53.79
Republican Ed Goodwin 2,003,026 46.21
Total votes 4,334,199 100

State Auditor

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Democratic primary

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Republican primary

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Polling

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Poll source Date(s)
administered 		Sample
size 		Margin of
error 		Joseph
DeBragga 		Greg
Dority 		Debra
Goldman 		Fern
Shubert 		Rudy
Wright 		Undecided
Public Policy Polling[12] May 5–6, 2012 496 ± 4.4% 5% 16% 17% 11% 8% 44%
Public Policy Polling[13] April 27–29, 2012 486 ± 4.4% 3% 18% 16% 9% 3% 51%
Public Policy Polling[14] April 20–22, 2012 521 ± 4.3% 4% 11% 12% 7% 4% 61%

Primary results

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Republican primary results [15]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Debra Goldman 237,473 34.35
Republican Greg Dority 164,647 23.82
Republican Fern Shubert 126,983 18.37
Republican Rudy Wright 108,037 15.63
Republican Joseph Hank DeBragga 54,098 7.83
Total votes 691,238 100

As the runner-up, Dority chose not to request a runoff, making Goldman the nominee.[28]

General election

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Polling

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Poll source Date(s)
administered 		Sample
size 		Margin of
error 		Beth
Wood (D) 		Debra
Goldman (R) 		Undecided
Public Policy Polling[29] October 29–31, 2012 730 ± 3.6% 50% 38% 12%
Public Policy Polling[18] October 23–25, 2012 880 LV ± 3.3% 45% 38% 18%
Public Policy Polling[30] August 31–September 1, 2012 1,012 ± 3.1% 40% 38% 22%
Public Policy Polling[31] July 5–8, 2012 775 ± 3.5% 39% 36% 25%
Public Policy Polling[32] June 7–10, 2012 810 ± 3.4% 36% 36% 29%

Results

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General election results [5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Beth Wood 2,299,541 53.71
Republican Debra Goldman 1,981,539 46.29
Total votes 4,281,080 100

State Treasurer

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Democratic primary

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Polling

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Poll source Date(s)
administered 		Sample
size 		Margin of
error 		Janet
Cowell 		Ron
Elmer 		Undecided
Public Policy Polling[35] April 27–29, 2012 500 ± 4.4% 50% 11% 39%
Public Policy Polling[36] April 20–22, 2012 500 ± 4.4% 38% 11% 51%
Public Policy Polling[37] March 23–25, 2012 505 ± 4.36% 34% 12% 55%
Public Policy Polling[38] February 29–March 1, 2012 499 ± 4.4% 32% 14% 54%

Primary results

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Democratic primary results [15]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Janet Cowell 630,151 76.63
Democratic Ron Elmer 192,135 23.37
Total votes 822,286 100

Republican primary

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Polling

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Poll source Date(s)
administered 		Sample
size 		Margin of
error 		Frank
Roche 		Steve
Royal 		Undecided
Public Policy Polling[12] May 5–6, 2012 496 ± 4.4% 24% 30% 47%
Public Policy Polling[13] April 27–29, 2012 486 ± 4.4% 17% 27% 57%

Primary results

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Republican primary results [15]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Steve Royal 389,188 57.69
Republican Frank Roche 285,439 42.31
Total votes 674,627 100

General election

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Polling

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Poll source Date(s)
administered 		Sample
size 		Margin of
error 		Janet
Cowell (D) 		Steve
Royal (R) 		Undecided
Public Policy Polling[29] October 29–31, 2012 730 ± 3.6% 46% 41% 13%
Public Policy Polling[30] August 31–September 1, 2012 1,012 ± 3.1% 42% 38% 20%
Public Policy Polling[31] July 5–8, 2012 775 ± 3.5% 38% 35% 27%
Public Policy Polling[41] October 12–14, 2012 1,084 ± 3% 34% 33% 33%

Results

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General election results [5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Janet Cowell 2,313,877 53.83
Republican Steve Royal 1,984,827 46.17
Total votes 4,298,704 100

Superintendent of Public Instruction

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Democratic primary

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Withdrawn Candidates

Republican primary

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Polling

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Poll source Date(s)
administered 		Sample
size 		Margin of
error 		Richard
Alexander 		Mark
Crawford 		Ray
Martin 		David
Scholl 		John
Tedesco 		Undecided
Public Policy Polling[12] May 5–6, 2012 496 ± 4.4% 14% 12% 6% 6% 16% 45%
Public Policy Polling[13] April 27–29, 2012 486 ± 4.4% 13% 8% 5% 6% 16% 52%
Public Policy Polling[14] April 20–22, 2012 521 ± 4.3% 13% 6% 5% 4% 16% 57%

Primary results

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Republican primary results [15]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican John Tedesco 195,352 28.35
Republican Richard Alexander 167,354 24.28
Republican Mark Crawford 150,404 21.82
Republican Ray E. Martin 90,889 13.19
Republican David Scholl 85,145 12.36
Total votes 689,144 100

As the runner-up, Alexander requested a runoff.[50]

Republican 2nd primary results [17]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican John Tedesco 75,366 54.42
Republican Richard Alexander 63,119 45.58
Total votes 138,485 100

General election

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Polling

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Poll source Date(s)
administered 		Sample
size 		Margin of
error 		June
Atkinson (D) 		John
Tedesco (R) 		Undecided
Public Policy Polling[18] October 23–25, 2012 880 LV ± 3.3% 42% 40% 18%
Public Policy Polling[19] September 27–30, 2012 981 ± 3.1% 44% 34% 22%
Public Policy Polling[20] August 2–5, 2012 813 ± 3.4% 44% 37% 19%

Results

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General election results [5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic June Atkinson 2,336,441 54.24
Republican John Tedesco 1,971,049 45.76
Total votes 4,307,490 100

Commissioner of Agriculture

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Republican primary

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Polling

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Poll source Date(s)
administered 		Sample
size 		Margin of
error 		Bill
McManus 		Steve
Troxler 		Undecided
Public Policy Polling[13] April 27–29, 2012 486 ± 4.4% 17% 48% 35%
Public Policy Polling[14] April 20–22, 2012 521 ± 4.3% 17% 41% 42%

Primary results

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Republican primary results [15]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Steve Troxler 532,664 68.95
Republican Bill McManus 239,920 31.05
Total votes 772,584 100

Democratic primary

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  • Scott Bryant, farmer and former law enforcement officer[52]
  • Walter Smith,[53] farmer, former USDA official, former mayor of Boonville[34]

Polling

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Poll source Date(s)
administered 		Sample
size 		Margin of
error 		Scott
Bryant 		Walter
Smith 		Undecided
Public Policy Polling[12] May 5–6, 2012 500 ± 3.1% 21% 19% 60%
Public Policy Polling[35] April 27–29, 2012 505 ± 4.36% 20% 17% 63%
Public Policy Polling[37] March 23–25, 2012 505 ± 4.36% 17% 12% 71%
Public Policy Polling[38] February 29–March 1, 2012 499 ± 4.4% 14% 13% 73%

Primary results

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Democratic primary results [15]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Walter Smith 424,287 55.11
Democratic Scott Bryant 345,644 44.89
Total votes 769,931 100

General election

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Polling

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Poll source Date(s)
administered 		Sample
size 		Margin of
error 		Steve
Troxler (R) 		Walter
Smith (D) 		Undecided
Public Policy Polling[29] October 29–31, 2012 730 ± 3.6% 48% 38% 14%
Public Policy Polling[30] August 31–September 1, 2012 1,012 ± 3.1% 45% 35% 20%
Public Policy Polling[31] July 5–8, 2012 775 ± 3.5% 46% 34% 20%
Public Policy Polling[32] June 7–10, 2012 810 ± 3.4% 45% 31% 25%

Results

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General election results [5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Steve Troxler 2,303,586 53.22
Democratic Walter Smith 2,025,054 46.78
Total votes 4,328,640 100

Commissioner of Labor

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Republican primary

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Democratic primary

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Polling

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Poll source Date(s)
administered 		Sample
size 		Margin of
error 		John
Brooks 		Marlowe
Foster 		Ty
Richardson 		Undecided
Public Policy Polling[12] May 5–6, 2012 500 ± 3.1% 18% 14% 30% 38%
Public Policy Polling[35] April 27–29, 2012 500 ± 4.4% 20% 12% 26% 42%
Public Policy Polling[36] April 20–22, 2012 500 ± 4.4% 18% 10% 18% 54%
Public Policy Polling[37] March 23–25, 2012 505 ± 4.36% 18% 8% 22% 51%
Public Policy Polling[38] February 29–March 1, 2012 499 ± 4.4% 13% 9% 26% 52%

Primary results

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Democratic primary results [15]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John C. Brooks 289,356 37.14
Democratic Marlowe Foster 256,964 32.98
Democratic Ty Richardson 232,730 29.87
Total votes 779,050 100

As the runner-up, Foster requested a runoff.[57]

Democratic 2nd primary results [17]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John C. Brooks 31,216 54.15
Democratic Marlowe Foster 26,431 45.85
Total votes 57,647 100

General election

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Polling

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Poll source Date(s)
administered 		Sample
size 		Margin of
error 		Cherie
Berry (R) 		John
Brooks (D) 		Undecided
Public Policy Polling[18] October 23–25, 2012 880 LV ± 3.3% 43% 37% 19%
Public Policy Polling[19] September 27–30, 2012 981 ± 3.1% 41% 37% 22%
Public Policy Polling[20] August 2–5, 2012 813 ± 3.4% 44% 34% 22%

Results

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General election results [5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Cherie Berry 2,300,500 53.26
Democratic John Brooks 2,019,266 46.74
Total votes 4,319,766 100

Commissioner of Insurance

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Democratic primary

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Republican primary

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Polling

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Poll source Date(s)
administered 		Sample
size 		Margin of
error 		Mike
Causey 		James
McCall 		Richard
Morgan 		Undecided
Public Policy Polling[12] May 5–6, 2012 496 ± 4.4% 20% 14% 19% 47%
Public Policy Polling[13] April 27–29, 2012 486 ± 4.4% 12% 12% 25% 51%
Public Policy Polling[14] April 20–22, 2012 521 ± 4.3% 13% 10% 17% 60%

Primary results

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Republican primary results [15]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Richard Morgan 258,935 37.01
Republican Mike Causey 245,430 35.08
Republican James McCall 195,348 27.92
Total votes 699,713 100

As the runner-up, Causey requested a runoff.[62] Of all the statewide runoffs held on July 17, the Republican primary for Insurance Commissioner was the only one in which the top vote-getter changed from the first to the second primary.

Republican 2nd primary results [17]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Mike Causey 80,704 57.39
Republican Richard Morgan 59,910 42.61
Total votes 140,614 100

General election

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Polling

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Poll source Date(s)
administered 		Sample
size 		Margin of
error 		Wayne
Goodwin (D) 		Mike
Causey (R) 		Undecided
Public Policy Polling[18] October 23–25, 2012 880 LV ± 3.3% 45% 36% 19%
Public Policy Polling[19] September 27–30, 2012 981 ± 3.1% 41% 36% 23%
Public Policy Polling[20] August 2–5, 2012 813 ± 3.4% 40% 36% 24%
General election results [5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Wayne Goodwin 2,226,344 51.86
Republican Mike Causey 2,066,601 48.14
Total votes 4,292,945 100

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Elections". North Carolina State Board of Elections. Archived from the original on February 21, 2012. Retrieved February 13, 2012.
  2. ^ "News & Observer: It's official". Archived from the original on August 23, 2012. Retrieved May 10, 2012.
  3. ^ "Article III". North Carolina Constitution. State of North Carolina. Archived from the original on March 27, 2017. Retrieved November 10, 2011.
  4. ^ "Daily Reflector". Archived from the original on August 19, 2016. Retrieved March 1, 2012.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h "State Board of Elections: General election results".
  6. ^ Staff Reports (October 20, 2011). "Elaine Marshall announces she'll run again". Raleigh News & Observer. Retrieved November 10, 2011.
  7. ^ "Beitler enters state race". Northwest Observer. August 26, 2011. Retrieved November 4, 2011.[permanent dead link‍]
  8. ^ http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/elaine_marshall_touts_better_fundraising_than_the_obama_campaign [dead link‍]
  9. ^ a b "NC State Board of Elections: Candidate filing list". Archived from the original on March 11, 2013.
  10. ^ "Chowan commissioner to run for Secretary of State". The Outer Banks Voice. January 9, 2012.
  11. ^ News & Observer: GOP secretary of state candidates trade blows about biographies
  12. ^ a b c d e f g Public Policy Polling
  13. ^ a b c d e f Public Policy Polling
  14. ^ a b c d e Public Policy Polling
  15. ^ a b c d e f g h i "State Board of Elections: Primary results".
  16. ^ "Candidates Meet Deadline For Primary Run-Offs | digtriad.com". archive.ph. July 28, 2012.
  17. ^ a b c d "State Board of Elections: 2nd Primary results".
  18. ^ a b c d e Public Policy Polling
  19. ^ a b c d Public Policy Polling
  20. ^ a b c d Public Policy Polling
  21. ^ News & Observer: Auditor Beth Wood announces reelection bid
  22. ^ "WWAY-TV".
  23. ^ a b c d "Primary Voter Guide". North Carolina State Board of Elections. Archived from the original on May 2, 2012. Retrieved May 2, 2012.
  24. ^ News & Observer: Greg Dority switches races
  25. ^ News & Observer: Debra Goldman announces for state auditor
  26. ^ 2012 Election Tracker Archived November 11, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  27. ^ "Election lineups set for primary contests | Hickory Daily Record". archive.ph. September 19, 2012.
  28. ^ News & Observer: GOP auditor candidate won't seek runoff
  29. ^ a b c Public Policy Polling
  30. ^ a b c Public Policy Polling
  31. ^ a b c Public Policy Polling
  32. ^ a b Public Policy Polling
  33. ^ News & Observer: Democratic state treasurer won't seek higher office
  34. ^ a b c News & Observer: Two state incumbents face primary challengers
  35. ^ a b c Public Policy Polling
  36. ^ a b Public Policy Polling
  37. ^ a b c Public Policy Polling
  38. ^ a b c Public Policy Polling
  39. ^ News & Observer: Conservative talk radio host joins state treasurer's race
  40. ^ Wilkes Journal Patriot
  41. ^ Public Policy Polling
  42. ^ News & Observer: Atkinson will seek reelection for state superintendent
  43. ^ Barksdale, Andrew; Woolverton, Paul (November 7, 2011). "Rep. Rick Glazier may run for N.C. Superintendent of Public Instruction". Fayetteville Observer. Archived from the original on November 11, 2011. Retrieved November 10, 2011.
  44. ^ News & Observer: Glazier says he'll run for superintendent of public instruction nomination
  45. ^ News & Observer: Rick Glazier abandons bid for superintendent, will seek reelection
  46. ^ News & Observer: Richard Alexander running for superintendent of public instruction
  47. ^ Politics1
  48. ^ a b News & Observer: A fellow Democrat wants Atkinson's job
  49. ^ News & Observer: Republican school board member enters superintendent race
  50. ^ Charlotte Observer[permanent dead link‍]
  51. ^ News & Observer: Agriculture commissioner announces re-election bid
  52. ^ News & Observer: Chatham farmer to run for agriculture commissioner
  53. ^ Winston-Salem Journal
  54. ^ WRAL.com
  55. ^ Bonner, I. (October 18, 2011). "Democrat announces for Labor Commissioner". Raleigh News & Observer. Retrieved November 10, 2011.
  56. ^ "Winston-Salem Journal". Archived from the original on March 1, 2012. Retrieved February 27, 2012.
  57. ^ News & Observer: Marlowe Foster seeks runoff Archived December 22, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
  58. ^ "N.C. Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin Announces Run for Re-election, Raises Record Campaign Cash". NCDP.org. NC Democratic Party. October 11, 2011. Archived from the original on April 2, 2012. Retrieved November 10, 2011.
  59. ^ News & Observer: Republican candidate for insurance commissioner announces today
  60. ^ News & Observer: Another Republican candidate for insurance commissioner
  61. ^ News & Observer: Richard Morgan files for insurance commissioner
  62. ^ Blue Ridge Now
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