2012 Oakland County Executive election

Last updated July 28, 2025

The 2012 Oakland County Executive election was held on November 6, 2012. Incumbent County Executive L. Brooks Patterson ran for re-election to a sixth term. He was challenged by businessman Kevin Howley, the Democratic nominee. Patterson defeated Howley by a wide margin, winning 57 percent of the vote.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Kevin Howley, Huntington Woods venture capitalist^[1]

Results

Democratic primary results^[2]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Kevin Howley	75,765	100.00%
Total votes			75,765	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

L. Brooks Patterson, incumbent County Executive
E. Wadsworth Sherrod III, West Bloomfield resident^[3]

Results

Republican primary results^[2]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	L. Brooks Patterson (inc.)	105,884	90.23%
	Republican	E. Wadsworth Sherrod III	11,325	9.65%
	Republican	Write-ins	146	0.12%
Total votes			117,355	100.00%

General election

Results

2012 Oakland County Executive election^[4]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	L. Brooks Patterson (inc.)	352,293	56.71%
	Democratic	Kevin Howley	267,069	42.99%
	Write-in		1,825	0.29%
Total votes			621,187	100.00%
	Republican hold

References

↑ Gray, Kathleen (September 27, 2012). "Democrats challenge injured Patterson". Detroit Free Press . Detroit, Michigan. p. 4A. Retrieved June 29, 2025.
1 2 "August 7, 2012 Primary Election". Oakland County Clerk. September 8, 2012. Retrieved June 29, 2025.
↑ Gray, Kathleen (April 10, 2012). "Candidates lined up for Oakland County offices". Detroit Free Press . Detroit, Michigan. p. 4A. Retrieved June 29, 2025.
↑ "November 6, 2012 General Election". Oakland County Clerk. January 11, 2013. Retrieved June 29, 2025.

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[1] Gray, Kathleen (September 27, 2012). "Democrats challenge injured Patterson". Detroit Free Press . Detroit, Michigan. p. 4A. Retrieved June 29, 2025.

[primary_results-2] 1 2 "August 7, 2012 Primary Election". Oakland County Clerk. September 8, 2012. Retrieved June 29, 2025.

[3] Gray, Kathleen (April 10, 2012). "Candidates lined up for Oakland County offices". Detroit Free Press . Detroit, Michigan. p. 4A. Retrieved June 29, 2025.

[4] "November 6, 2012 General Election". Oakland County Clerk. January 11, 2013. Retrieved June 29, 2025.

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2012 Oakland County Executive election

Contents

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

Republican primary

Candidates

Results

General election

Results

References