The 2012 West Virginia gubernatorial election was held on November 6, 2012, to elect the governor of West Virginia. Democratic incumbent Earl Ray Tomblin, who was elected governor in a special election in 2011, was elected to a full four-year term. The election was a rematch of the 2011 special election.
As of 2025, this was the last gubernatorial election in which a Democratic governor was re-elected in the state.
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Arne Moltis, candidate for governor in 2011
- Earl Ray Tomblin, incumbent governor
Declined
- Jeff Kessler, state senator, president of the state senate, and candidate for governor in 2011
- Brooks McCabe, state senator
Results
Republican primary
Candidates
- Ralph William Clark, philosophy professor at West Virginia University and candidate for governor in 2011
- Bill Maloney, businessman and Republican nominee for governor in 2011
Declined
- Clark Barnes, state senator and candidate for governor in 2011 (did not file)
- Mark Sorsaia, Putnam County prosecutor and candidate for governor in 2011 (did not file)
- Mike Stuart, West Virginia Republican Party chairman
Results
General election
Candidates
- Jesse Johnson (Mountain), former gubernatorial and senate nominee
- Bill Maloney (R), businessman and Republican nominee for governor in 2011
- David Moran (Libertarian), farmer and retired engineer
- Earl Ray Tomblin (D), incumbent governor
Other potential candidates
- Norman Ferguson (NPA)
- Phil Hudok (Constitution), write-in candidate for governor in 2011
Debates
- Complete video of debate, October 9, 2012 - C-SPAN
Predictions
Polling
Results
Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic
- Calhoun (Largest city: Grantsville)
- Gilmer (Largest city: Glenville)
- Hardy (Largest city: Moorefield)
- Jefferson (Largest city: Charles Town)
- Ohio (largest borough: Wheeling)
- Pendleton (Largest city: Franklin)
- Pocahontas (Largest city: Marlinton)
- Roane (Largest city: Spencer)
- Wirt (largest municipality: Elizabeth)
- Wood (largest municipality: Parkersburg)
Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican
- Barbour (Largest city: Philippi)
- Mercer (Largest city: Bluefield)
- Raleigh (Largest city: Beckley)
By congressional district
Tomblin won 2 of 3 congressional districts, including one that elected a Republican.
References
External links
- Elections Division at the West Virginia secretary of state
Candidate sites (Archived)
- Bill Maloney for Governor
- Earl Ray Tomblin for Governor
- David Moran for Governor
