2016 North Carolina gubernatorial election
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The 2016 North Carolina gubernatorial election will take place on November 8, 2016, to elect the Governor of North Carolina, concurrently with the 2016 U.S. presidential election, as well as elections to the United States Senate and elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections.
Primary elections were held March 15.[1]
Incumbent Republican Governor Pat McCrory is running for re-election to a second term in office.[2] Roy Cooper, the incumbent Attorney General of the state (and the second-longest-serving Attorney General in North Carolina history), is the Democratic nominee. The gubernatorial race is expected to be among the most competitive in the country in 2016.[3]
Republican primary
Candidates
Declared
- Robert Brawley, former State Representative[4]
- Pat McCrory, incumbent Governor[2][5]
- Charles Moss, preacher, former Randolph County Soil & Water Conservation Board member, Democratic State Senate candidate in 2004, and candidate for Governor in 2012[6]
Declined
- Greg Brannon, physician, Tea Party activist and candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2014 (running for U.S. Senate)[7][8]
- Dan Forest, Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina (running for re-election)[9]
Polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Pat McCrory |
Charles Moss |
Robert Brawley |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling | March 11–13, 2016 | 749 | ± 3.6% | 70% | 7% | 6% | 17% |
| High Point University | March 9–10, 2016 | 734 | ± 2.5% | 73% | 6% | 8% | 13% |
| SurveyUSA | March 4–7, 2016 | 688 | ± 3.6% | 66% | 6% | 9% | 19% |
| SurveyUSA | February 14–16, 2016 | 437 | ± 4.5% | 67% | – | 17% | 16% |
| Public Policy Polling | February 14–16, 2016 | 597 | ± 4.0% | 69% | 4% | 5% | 22% |
| High Point University | January 30–February 4, 2016 | 477 | ± 4.5% | 75% | 3% | 2% | 20% |
| Public Policy Polling | January 18–19, 2016 | 433 | ± 3.2% | 68% | 6% | 4% | 22% |
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Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Pat McCrory | 869,114 | 82% | |
| Republican | Robert Brawley | 112,624 | 11% | |
| Republican | Charles Moss | 81,315 | 7% | |
| Total votes | 1,063,053 | 100% | ||
Democratic primary
Roy Cooper
Ken Spaulding
Candidates
Declared
- Roy Cooper, North Carolina Attorney General[11]
- Kenneth Spaulding, former State Representative and candidate for North Carolina's 2nd congressional district in 1984[12]
Withdrawn
- James Protzman, businessman and former Chapel Hill town council member[12][13]
Declined
- Janet Cowell, North Carolina State Treasurer (not seeking re-election or running for any other office)[12][14]
- Anthony Foxx, United States Secretary of Transportation and former Mayor of Charlotte[15]
- Kay Hagan, former U.S. Senator, and former State Senator[12][14]
- Charles Meeker, former Mayor of Raleigh (running for Labor Commissioner)[12][16]
- Heath Shuler, former U.S. Representative[17]
- Josh Stein, State Senator and former Deputy Attorney General of North Carolina (running for Attorney General)[12][14]
Polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Roy Cooper |
Kenneth Spaulding |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling | March 11–13, 2016 | 746 | ± 3.6% | 53% | 17% | — | 30% |
| High Point University | March 9–10, 2016 | 669 | ± 2.5% | 64% | 18% | — | 19% |
| SurveyUSA | March 4–7, 2016 | 687 | ± 3.8% | 51% | 19% | — | 30% |
| SurveyUSA | February 14–16, 2016 | 449 | ± 4.7% | 50% | 21% | — | 29% |
| Public Policy Polling | February 14–16, 2016 | 575 | ± 4.1% | 55% | 12% | — | 33% |
| High Point University | January 30–February 4, 2016 | 478 | ± 4.5% | 49% | 11% | — | 40% |
| Public Policy Polling | January 18–19, 2016 | 461 | ± 3.2% | 55% | 10% | — | 35% |
| Public Policy Polling | December 5–7, 2015 | 555 | ± 2.8% | 54% | 10% | — | 36% |
| Public Policy Polling | October 23–25, 2015 | 421 | ± 4.8% | 58% | 13% | — | 29% |
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Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Roy Cooper | 710,658 | 69% | |
| Democratic | Ken Spaulding | 323,774 | 31% | |
| Total votes | 1,034,432 | 100% | ||
Libertarian primary
Candidates
Declared
Withdrawn
- Ken Fortenberry, newspaper publisher, author, journalist and Republican candidate for North Carolina's 10th congressional district in 2012[20][21]
Declined
- Sean Haugh, pizza delivery man and nominee for the U.S. Senate in 2002 and 2014 (running for U.S. Senate)[22][23]
Write-In candidates
Declared
- Daniel Orr, Navy veteran[24]
General election
Polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Pat McCrory (R) |
Roy Cooper (D) |
Lon Cecil (L) |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NBC/WSJ/Marist | July 5–11, 2016 | 907 | ± 3.3% | 45% | 49% | — | 1% | 5% |
| Civitas Institute | June 21–23, 2016 | 600 | ± 4.0% | 46% | 41% | 4% | — | 9% |
| Public Policy Polling | June 20–21, 2016 | 947 | ± 3.2% | 41% | 41% | 6% | — | 13% |
| Civitas Institute | May 21–23, 2016 | 600 | ± 4.0% | 45% | 40% | 3% | — | 11% |
| Public Policy Polling | May 20–22, 2016 | 928 | ± 3.2% | 41% | 41% | 5% | — | 13% |
| RABA (Red America, Blue America) | April 27–28, 2016 | 688 | ± 3.7% | 36% | 41% | 6% | — | 17% |
| Civitas Institute | April 23–25, 2016 | 600 | ± 4.0% | 39% | 48% | 5% | — | 8% |
| Public Policy Polling | April 22–24, 2016 | 960 | ± 3.2% | 42% | 43% | 4% | — | 11% |
| Elon University Poll | April 10–15, 2016 | 621 | ± 3.9% | 42% | 48% | — | 6% | 5% |
| SurveyUSA | April 8–11, 2016 | 701 | ± 3.8% | 43% | 47% | 2% | — | 8% |
| Public Policy Polling | March 18–20, 2016 | 843 | ± 3.4% | 42% | 40% | 6% | — | 12% |
| High Point University | March 9–10, 2016 | 1,576 | ± 2.5% | 47% | 45% | — | — | 8% |
| Elon University Poll | February 15–19, 2016 | 1,530 | ± 2.5% | 40% | 42% | — | 3% | 15% |
| Public Policy Polling | February 14–16, 2016 | 1,291 | ± 2.7% | 43% | 41% | — | — | 16% |
| SurveyUSA | February 14–16, 2016 | 1,250 | ± 2.8% | 45% | 42% | — | — | 12% |
| Public Policy Polling | January 18–19, 2016 | 948 | ± 3.2% | 40% | 43% | — | — | 17% |
| Public Policy Polling | December 5–7, 2015 | 1,214 | ± 2.8% | 44% | 42% | — | — | 14% |
| Elon University Poll | October 29–November 2, 2015 | 1,040 | ± 3.0% | 40% | 45% | — | 3% | 13% |
| Public Policy Polling | October 23–25, 2015 | 893 | ± 3.3% | 43% | 44% | — | — | 13% |
| Public Policy Polling | September 24–27, 2015 | 1,268 | ± 2.8% | 44% | 41% | — | — | 15% |
| Elon University Poll | September 17–21, 2015 | 1,258 | ± 3.0% | 43.4% | 42.4% | — | 2.8% | 11.4% |
| Public Policy Polling | August 12–16, 2015 | 957 | ± 3.2% | 39% | 42% | — | — | 18% |
| Civitas Institute | August 10–12, 2015 | 400 | ?? | 32% | 34% | — | — | 33% |
| Public Policy Polling | July 2–6, 2015 | 529 | ± 4.3% | 41% | 43% | — | — | 16% |
| Civitas Institute | June 23–25, 2015 | 600 | ± 4.0% | 43% | 38% | — | — | 17% |
| Public Policy Polling | May 28–31, 2015 | 561 | ± 4.1% | 41% | 44% | — | — | 15% |
| Elon University Poll | April 20–24, 2015 | 677 | ± 3.8% | 44.6% | 43.1% | — | 4.1% | 8.1% |
| Public Policy Polling | April 2–5, 2015 | 751 | ± 3.6% | 44% | 41% | — | — | 15% |
| Public Policy Polling | February 24–26, 2015 | 849 | ± 3.4% | 43% | 41% | — | — | 16% |
| Diversified Research | February 2–3, 2015 | 800 | ± 3.5% | 43.8% | 42.1% | — | — | 14.1% |
| Public Policy Polling | January 29–31, 2015 | 845 | ± 3.4% | 44% | 39% | — | — | 17% |
| Meeting Street Research | January 21–22, 2015 | 500 | ± 4.4% | 47% | 44% | — | — | 9% |
| Public Policy Polling | December 4–7, 2014 | 823 | ± 3.4% | 46% | 39% | — | — | 15% |
| Gravis Marketing | October 29–30, 2014 | 1,006 | ± 3.0% | 47% | 45% | — | — | 8% |
| Gravis Marketing | October 16–18, 2014 | 1,022 | ± 3.0% | 49% | 41% | — | — | 9% |
| Gravis Marketing | September 22–23, 2014 | 860 | ± 3.0% | 45% | 42% | — | — | 12% |
| Public Policy Polling | September 11–14, 2014 | 1,266 | ± 2.8% | 44% | 41% | — | — | 15% |
| Public Policy Polling | August 14–17, 2014 | 856 | ± 3.4% | 44% | 43% | — | — | 14% |
| Gravis Marketing | July 22–27, 2014 | 1,380 | ± 3.0% | 44% | 46% | — | — | 10% |
| Public Policy Polling | June 12–15, 2014 | 1,076 | ± 3.0% | 44% | 42% | — | — | 14% |
| Public Policy Polling | May 9–11, 2014 | 877 | ± 3.3% | 43% | 42% | — | — | 15% |
| Public Policy Polling | April 3–6, 2014 | 740 | ± 3.6% | 43% | 43% | — | — | 15% |
| Public Policy Polling | February 6–9, 2014 | 708 | ± 3.7% | 43% | 41% | — | — | 15% |
| Public Policy Polling | September 6–9, 2013 | 600 | ± 4.0% | 42% | 48% | — | — | 11% |
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References
- ^ WRAL: North Carolina primaries officially on March 15 with signing
- ^ a b "Gov. Pat McCrory launches 2016 campaign". The News & Observer. December 2, 2014. Retrieved December 5, 2014.
- ^ Politico: Top 10 governors races of 2016
- ^ Campbell, Colin (December 9, 2015). "Gov. Pat McCroy gets a challenger in Republican primary". The News & Observer. Retrieved December 10, 2015.
- ^ "McCrory: Election wins no mandate for GOP". WRAL.com. November 5, 2014. Retrieved November 7, 2014.
- ^ "Candidate Listing" (PDF). North Carolina State Board of Elections. Retrieved December 21, 2015.
- ^ Campbell, Colin (October 7, 2015). "Former GOP Senate candidate Greg Brannon to make 'big announcement' Thursday". The News & Observer. Retrieved October 8, 2015.
- ^ Brannon, Greg (December 21, 2015). "WATCH as I officially file as a Republican candidate for the United States Senate!". Facebook. Retrieved December 21, 2015.
- ^ Leslie, Laura (February 18, 2015). "Coleman, Forest to run again for lieutenant governor". WRAL-TV. Retrieved February 18, 2015.
- ^ State Board of Elections
- ^ "Attorney General Announces Candidacy For Governor". Charlotte Observer. November 6, 2014. Retrieved November 7, 2014.
- ^ a b c d e f Reid Wilson (September 6, 2013). "Three years out, Democrats eye McCrory's seat". The Washington Post. Retrieved September 9, 2013.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ "Protzman drops out of governor's race after 7 months". The News & Observer. October 17, 2013. Retrieved November 28, 2013.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ a b c Knopf, Taylor (September 21, 2015). "State Sen. Josh Stein makes formal announcement for attorney general". The News & Observer. Retrieved October 13, 2015.
- ^ Matt Vasilogambros (April 29, 2013). "What You Need to Know About Obama Transportation Pick Anthony Foxx". National Journal. Retrieved September 9, 2013.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ Campbell, Colin (July 8, 2015). "Former Raleigh Mayor Charles Meeker to run for labor commissioner". The News & Observer. Retrieved August 11, 2015.
- ^ Brinson, Will (July 23, 2015). "Ex-Skins QB Heath Shuler says he won't run for NC Governor". CBS Sports. Retrieved August 11, 2015.
- ^ State Board of Elections
- ^ News & Observer: Libertarians file for governor, US Senate, lieutenant governor
- ^ Lynn Bonner (December 31, 2014). "Libertarian candidate for NC governor announces". News & Observer. Retrieved January 5, 2015.
- ^ Frankel, Paul (August 8, 2015). "Fortenberry withdraws from NC governor's race". Independent Political Report. Retrieved August 11, 2015.
- ^ Craig Jarvis (January 5, 2015). "Sean Haugh considers another Libertarian bid". News & Observer. Retrieved January 5, 2015.
- ^ Ziggler, Jed (October 7, 2015). "Sean Haugh: "I Intend to Run for U.S. Senate as a Libertarian in North Carolina in 2016"". Independent Political Report. Retrieved October 13, 2015.
- ^ "Richmond County Daily Journal".