2012 United States Senate election in Arizona

Last updated

2012 United States Senate election in Arizona
Flag of Arizona.svg
  2006 November 6, 2012 2018  
Turnout52.9% (voting eligible) [1]
  Jeff Flake, official portrait, 112th Congress 2 (cropped).jpg Richard Carmona (cropped 2).jpg
Nominee Jeff Flake Richard Carmona
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote1,104,4571,036,542
Percentage49.23%46.20%

2012 United States Senate election in Arizona results map by county.svg
2012 Arizona Senate Election by Congressional District.svg
AZ Senate 2012.svg
Flake:     40–50%     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90%     >90%
Carmona:     40–50%     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90%     >90%
Tie:     40–50%     50%     No votes

U.S. senator before election

Jon Kyl
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Jeff Flake
Republican

The 2012 United States Senate election in Arizona was held on November 6, 2012, alongside a presidential election, other elections to the United States Senate in other states, as well as elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections.

Contents

Incumbent Senator Jon Kyl (R), the Senate Minority Whip, decided to retire instead of seeking a fourth term. [2] U.S. Representative Jeff Flake won the open seat.

As of 2024, this was the last time that a Republican won Arizona's Class 1 Senate seat.

Republican primary

The filing deadline for Republican candidates was June 1, 2012, and the primary election took place on August 28, 2012.

Candidates

Declared

  • Wil Cardon, CEO of a real estate investment firm [3] [4]
  • Jeff Flake, U.S. Representative from the 6th district [5]
  • Bryan Hackbarth, former mayor of Youngtown [6]
  • Clair Van Steenwyk, conservative radio host [7]

Withdrew

  • Doug McKee, businessman [8]

Declined

Endorsements

Jeff Flake
Wil Cardon

Polling

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Wil
Cardon
Jeff
Flake
Bryan
Hackbarth
Doug
McKee
Clair
Van Steenwyk
OtherUndecided
Public Policy Polling [22] May 17–20, 2012421± 4.8%20%42%3%1%2%33%
Public Policy Polling [23] February 17–19, 2012412± 4.8%7%56%5%1%1%31%
Public Policy Polling [24] November 17–20, 2011400± 4.9%7%53%5%1%2%33%
Magellan Strategies [25] November 14–15, 2011722± 3.6%4%52%1%1%2%8%32%

Results

Results by county:
.mw-parser-output .legend{page-break-inside:avoid;break-inside:avoid-column}.mw-parser-output .legend-color{display:inline-block;min-width:1.25em;height:1.25em;line-height:1.25;margin:1px 0;text-align:center;border:1px solid black;background-color:transparent;color:black}.mw-parser-output .legend-text{}
Flake--70-80%
Flake--60-70%
Flake--50-60% Arizona U.S. Senate Republican primary, 2012.svg
Results by county:
  Flake—70–80%
  Flake—60–70%
  Flake—50–60%
Republican primary results [26]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Jeff Flake 357,360 69.3%
Republican Wil Cardon110,15021.4%
Republican Clair Van Steenwyk29,1595.6%
Republican Bryan Hackbarth19,1743.7%
Republican John Lyon (Write-in)126nil
Republican Luis Acle (Write-in)56nil
Total votes516,025 100%

Democratic primary

Former Surgeon General Richard Carmona was the only candidate for the Democratic nomination, receiving all 289,881 votes cast in the primary election. [27]

Candidates

Declared

Withdrew

Declined

Polling

Hypothetical polling
Poll sourceDate(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Dennis
Burke
Rodney
Glassman
Terry
Goddard
Phil
Gordan
Harry
Mitchell
Ed
Pastor
Felecia
Rotellini
Other/
Undecided
Public Policy Polling [41] April 28 – May 1, 2011300± 5.7%2%5%50%8%11%5%6%14%

Results

Democratic primary results [26]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Richard Carmona 289,881 100%
Total votes289,881 100%

General election

Candidates

Debates

There were three debates before the election. The first was in Phoenix on October 10, 2012, the second in Tucson on October 15 and the last was in Yuma on October 25. External links

Fundraising

Candidate (party)ReceiptsDisbursementsCash on handDebt
Jeff Flake (R)$9,026,951$9,557,420$97,360$0
Richard Carmona (D)$6,459,739$6,373,544$86,195$0
Marc J. Victor (L)$8,336$8,334$0$0
Source: Federal Election Commission [42] [43] [44] [45] [46]

Top contributors

Richard CarmonaContributionJeff FlakeContribution
University of Arizona $54,100 Club for Growth $1,000,112
League of Conservation Voters $53,148 Senate Conservatives Fund $176,484
Canyon Ranch$31,400 US Airways $54,300
Clorox Company $25,000 Freeport-McMoRan $53,750
Arizona State University $22,600 Cancer Treatment Centers of America $40,500
Banner Health $18,500 Knight Transportation $35,500
Lewis and Roca $17,100 Pinnacle West Capital $35,500
Taser International $15,500 Marriott International $29,750
Coca-Cola Co $15,286 Shamrock Farms $24,750
Pederson Group$15,000Services Group of America$15,650
Source: OpenSecrets [47]

Top industries

Richard CarmonaContributionJeff FlakeContributionIan GilyeatContribution
Retired$653,066 Republican/Conservative $1,146,046Retired$250
Lawyers/Law Firms $409,395Retired$643,260Lawyers/Law Firms$250
Health Professionals $313,135 Leadership PACs $502,352
Leadership PACs$279,530 Real Estate $302,572
Colleges/Universities $189,270 Financial Institutions $279,670
Real Estate$145,000Lawyers/Law Firms$200,702
Business Services$122,749Misc Finance$188,122
Financial Institutions $118,500 Mining $170,602
Democratic/Liberal$111,889Health Professionals$164,607
Lobbyists $105,172 Oil & Gas $147,860
Source: OpenSecrets [48]

Predictions

SourceRankingAs of
The Cook Political Report [49] TossupNovember 1, 2012
Sabato's Crystal Ball [50] Lean RNovember 5, 2012
Rothenberg Political Report [51] Tilt RNovember 2, 2012
Real Clear Politics [52] Lean RNovember 5, 2012

Polling

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Jeff
Flake (R)
Richard
Carmona (D)
OtherUndecided
Public Policy Polling [53] November 2–3, 20121,080± 3%51%46%3%
Rasmussen Reports [54] October 21, 2012500± 4.5%50%44%3%3%
Rocky Mountain Poll [55] October 4–10, 2012523± 4.4%40%44%16%
Public Policy Polling [56] October 1–3, 2012595± 4%43%45%12%
HighGround/Moore [57] September 25–26, 2012500± 4%43%40%5%11%
Rasmussen Reports [58] September 25, 2012500± 4.5%47%41%3%9%
LCV/Public Policy Polling [59] September 7–9, 2012993± n/a%44%43%13%
LCV/Public Policy Polling [60] July 23–25, 2012833± 3.4%38%38%25%
Rasmussen Reports [61] June 26, 2012500± 4.5%47%31%5%17%
Public Policy Polling [62] June 4–5, 2012791± 3.5%43%41%16%
Public Policy Polling [22] May 17–20, 2012500± 4.4%48%35%17%
Magellan Strategies [63] April 30 – May 2, 2012909± 3.3%44%40%16%
Rasmussen Reports [64] March 13, 2012500± 4.5%47%34%4%16%
NBC News/Marist [65] February 19–20, 20122,487± 2.0%42%29%28%
Public Policy Polling [66] February 17–19, 2012743± 3.6%46%35%19%
Public Policy Polling [67] November 17–20, 2011500± 4.4%40%36%24%
Hypothetical polling
Poll sourceDate(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Wil
Cardon (R)
Richard
Carmona (D)
OtherUndecided
Public Policy Polling [67] November 17–20, 2011500± 4.4%35%33%32%
Public Policy Polling [66] February 17–19, 2012743± 3.6%37%33%30%
Rasmussen Reports [64] March 13, 2012500± 4.5%39%38%3%20%
Magellan Strategies [63] April 30 – May 2, 2012909± 3.3%41%40%19%
Public Policy Polling [22] May 17–20, 2012500± 4.4%40%37%23%

Republican primary

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Jeff
Flake
J.D.
Hayworth
Sarah
Palin
Gary
Pierce
Marilyn
Quayle
Fife
Symington
Other/
Undecided
Public Policy Polling [41] April 28 – May 1, 2011400± 4.9%33%11%35%3%2%3%13%

Democratic primary

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Dennis
Burke
Gabrielle
Giffords
Rodney
Glassman
Terry
Goddard
Phil
Gordan
Harry
Mitchell
Ed
Pastor
Felecia
Rotellini
Other/
Undecided
Public Policy Polling [41] April 28 – May 1, 2011300± 5.7%2%46%4%28%2%5%4%2%6%

with Don Bivens

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Wil
Cardon (R)
Don
Bivens (D)
OtherUndecided
Public Policy Polling [67] November 17–20, 2011500± 4.4%35%27%37%
Public Policy Polling [66] February 17–19, 2012743± 3.6%38%32%31%
Rasmussen Reports [64] March 13, 2012500± 4.5%42%30%4%24%
Poll sourceDate(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Jeff
Flake (R)
Don
Bivens (D)
OtherUndecided
Public Policy Polling [67] November 17–20, 2011500± 4.4%42%32%26%
Public Policy Polling [66] February 17–19, 2012743± 3.6%46%35%19%
Rasmussen Reports [64] March 13, 2012500± 4.5%47%30%3%20%

with J.D. Hayworth

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
J.D.
Hayworth (R)
Gabrielle
Giffords (D)
Undecided
Public Policy Polling [68] April 28 – May 1, 2011623± 3.9%31%57%12%
Poll sourceDate(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
J.D.
Hayworth (R)
Terry
Goddard (D)
Undecided
Public Policy Polling [68] April 28 – May 1, 2011623± 3.9%33%51%16%
Poll sourceDate(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
J.D.
Hayworth (R)
Phil
Gordon (D)
Undecided
Public Policy Polling [68] April 28 – May 1, 2011623± 3.9%36%44%20%
Poll sourceDate(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
J.D.
Hayworth (R)
Ed
Pastor (D)
Undecided
Public Policy Polling [68] April 28 – May 1, 2011623± 3.9%37%42%21%

with Jeff Flake

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Jeff
Flake (R)
Gabrielle
Giffords (D)
Undecided
Public Policy Polling [68] April 28 – May 1, 2011623± 3.9%41%48%11%

with Jon Kyl

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Jon
Kyl (R)
Terry
Goddard (D)
Undecided
Public Policy Polling [69] January 28–30, 2011599± 4.0%50%40%9%
Poll sourceDate(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Jon
Kyl (R)
Phil
Gordon (D)
Undecided
Public Policy Polling [69] January 28–30, 2011599± 4.0%54%33%13%
Poll sourceDate(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Jon
Kyl (R)
Ann
Kirkpatrick (D)
Undecided
Public Policy Polling [69] January 28–30, 2011599± 4.0%51%35%14%
Poll sourceDate(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Jon
Kyl (R)
Janet
Napolitano (D)
Undecided
Public Policy Polling [69] January 28–30, 2011599± 4.0%53%41%6%

with Sarah Palin

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Sarah
Palin (R)
Gabrielle
Giffords (D)
Undecided
Public Policy Polling [68] April 28 – May 1, 2011623± 3.9%36%54%10%
Poll sourceDate(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Sarah
Palin (R)
Terry
Goddard (D)
Undecided
Public Policy Polling [68] April 28 – May 1, 2011623± 3.9%40%49%11%
Poll sourceDate(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Sarah
Palin (R)
Phil
Gordon (D)
Undecided
Public Policy Polling [68] April 28 – May 1, 2011623± 3.9%41%45%13%
Poll sourceDate(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Sarah
Palin (R)
Ed
Pastor (D)
Undecided
Public Policy Polling [68] April 28 – May 1, 2011623± 3.9%43%45%12%

Results

United States Senate election in Arizona, 2012 [70]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Jeff Flake 1,104,457 49.23% −4.11%
Democratic Richard Carmona1,036,54246.20%+2.70%
Libertarian Marc J. Victor102,1094.55%+1.39%
Independent Steven Watts (write-in)2900.01%N/A
Independent Don Manspeaker (write-in)240.00%N/A
Total votes2,243,422 100.00% N/A
Republican hold

By congressional district

Despite losing, Carmona carried 5 of the 9 congressional districts. [71]

DistrictCarmonaFlakeRepresentative
1st 49.11%46.32% Ann Kirkpatrick
2nd 51.52%45.03% Ron Barber
3rd 63.08%32.79% Raúl Grijalva
4th 33.36%60.94% Paul Gosar
5th 35.52%60.06% Matt Salmon
6th 40.32%55.35% David Schweikert
7th 71.87%23.14% Ed Pastor
8th 38.9%56.29% Trent Franks
9th 51.77%43.39% Kyrsten Sinema

See also

References

  1. Dr. Michael McDonald (February 9, 2013). "2012 General Election Turnout Rates". George Mason University. Archived from the original on April 24, 2013. Retrieved April 3, 2013.
  2. Catanese, David; Epstein, Jennifer (February 10, 2011). "Sen. Jon Kyl announces his retirement from Senate". Politico . Retrieved February 10, 2011.
  3. Catanese, David; Scott Wong (August 5, 2011). "Self funder to primary Jeff Flake". Politico . Retrieved August 8, 2011.
  4. Trygstad, Kyle (August 8, 2011). "Flake Draws Wealthy GOP Primary Opponent". Roll Call . Archived from the original on September 16, 2011. Retrieved August 8, 2011.
  5. "Jeff Flake announces he'll run for Kyl seat". Associated Press. February 14, 2011. Retrieved February 14, 2011.
  6. "Paid for by Bryan Hackbarth for United States Senate". brian4senate.com. Archived from the original on January 11, 2012. Retrieved April 12, 2018.
  7. Nowicki, Dan (October 16, 2011). "Senate hopefuls' fundraising revealed for 3rd quarter". The Arizona Republic . Retrieved October 26, 2011.
  8. "Local man launches U.S. Senate campaign". Mohave Valley Daily News . June 3, 2011. Retrieved June 6, 2011.[ permanent dead link ]
  9. Burns, Alexander (February 10, 2011). "Fife eyes Senate, floats NFL star Kurt Warner". Politico . Retrieved February 10, 2011.
  10. "Battling DOJ, Arpaio to run again". politico.com. Retrieved April 12, 2018.
  11. Sullivan, Sean (February 11, 2011). "Brewer Won't Run for Kyl's Seat". National Journal . Archived from the original on March 19, 2011. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
  12. Sullivan, Sean (April 1, 2011). "Franks not running for Senate in Arizona". National Journal . Archived from the original on May 15, 2011. Retrieved April 1, 2011.
  13. King, James (April 28, 2011). "Rumor Mill: J.D. Hayworth Will NOT Run For Senate -- Again". Phoenix New Times. Retrieved November 15, 2011.
  14. staff, CBS Interactive (June 6, 2011). "Palin denies new Ariz. home is for Senate run - CBS News". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
  15. Drucker, David M. (February 12, 2011). "Early, Long Whip Race Will Test GOP Cohesion". Roll Call . Archived from the original on February 14, 2011. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
  16. Bedard, Paul (February 11, 2011). "Ben Quayle Staying Put in House". U.S. News & World Report . Retrieved February 13, 2011.
  17. Bodfield, Rhonda; Kelly, Andrea (February 13, 2011). "With Kyl leaving, we at least know some who won't be seeking his seat". Arizona Daily Star . Retrieved February 13, 2011.
  18. Sunnucks, Mike (February 11, 2011). "Shadegg won't run for Kyl's Senate seat, Trent Franks looking at run". Phoenix Business Journal . Retrieved February 11, 2011.
  19. Trygstad, Kyle (April 30, 2012). "Arizona: Jim DeMint Endorses Jeff Flake in Senate Primary". Roll Call. Retrieved April 12, 2018.
  20. "GOProud Announces U.S. House Endorsements – GOProud, Inc". October 25, 2012. Archived from the original on October 25, 2012. Retrieved April 12, 2018.
  21. "NRA-PVF Endorses Jeff Flake for U.S. Senate in Arizona". nrapvf.org. NRA-PVF. September 27, 2012. Archived from the original on August 12, 2014. Retrieved September 19, 2023.
  22. 1 2 3 Public Policy Polling
  23. Public Policy Polling
  24. Public Policy Polling
  25. Magellan Strategies [ permanent dead link ]
  26. 1 2 "Official Election Canvass of Results" (PDF). Arizona Secretary of State. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 12, 2013. Retrieved September 3, 2014.
  27. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on November 12, 2013. Retrieved January 6, 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  28. Sullivan, Sean (November 10, 2011). "Carmona Will Run in Arizona". National Journal . Archived from the original on November 12, 2011. Retrieved November 10, 2011.
  29. Livingston, Abby (March 28, 2012). "Arizona: Bivens Drops Out, Democratic Field Clears". Roll Call. Retrieved April 12, 2018.
  30. Sanders, Rebekah (May 21, 2012). "U.S. Rep. Jeff Flake files signatures for primary". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved May 24, 2012.
  31. McCombs, Brady (June 9, 2012). "Democrat Ruben ends US Senate campaign". Arizona Daily Star . Retrieved June 16, 2012.
  32. Haque, Fahima (February 11, 2011). "Arizona U.S. Attorney for Senate?". Main Justice . Archived from the original on August 16, 2011. Retrieved February 14, 2011.
  33. Cillizza, Chris (February 10, 2011). "Gabrielle Giffords was planning possible Senate run before shooting". WashingtonPost.com . Archived from the original on September 14, 2012. Retrieved February 10, 2011.
  34. Sunnucks, Mike (February 10, 2011). "Phoenix mayor ponders a run for Kyl's seat; Luis Gonzalez not interested". Phoenix Business Journal . Retrieved February 10, 2011.
  35. Miller, Sean J. (March 2, 2011). "Arizona Democrat considering Senate run in absence of Rep. Giffords". The Hill . Retrieved July 23, 2011.
  36. Nowicki, Dan (November 20, 2011). "Arizona civil-rights leader weighs Senate run". The Arizona Republic . Retrieved November 21, 2011.
  37. Archived January 31, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  38. "Mark Kelly: I'm not running for office – Jennifer Epstein". Politico.Com. Retrieved July 11, 2011.
  39. King, James (February 18, 2011). "Janet Napolitano No-Go on Senate Run; Wants to Focus on Border Security". Phoenix New Times . Archived from the original on February 19, 2011. Retrieved February 18, 2011.
  40. Nowicki, Dan (February 16, 2011). "Pederson won't run for Kyl's Senate seat". The Arizona Republic . Retrieved February 16, 2011.
  41. 1 2 3 Public Policy Polling
  42. "Carmona Campaign Finances". fec.gov. Retrieved April 12, 2018.[ permanent dead link ]
  43. "Flake Campaign Finances". fec.gov. Retrieved April 12, 2018.[ permanent dead link ]
  44. "Kansas District 04 2012 Race". OpenSecrets.
  45. "Victor Campaign Finances". fec.gov. Retrieved April 12, 2018.[ permanent dead link ]
  46. "Meyer Campaign Finances". fec.gov. Retrieved April 12, 2018.[ permanent dead link ]
  47. "Top Contributors 2012 Race: Arizona Senate". OpenSecrets.
  48. "Top Industries 2012 Race: Arizona Senate". OpenSecrets.
  49. "2012 Senate Race Ratings for November 1, 2012". The Cook Political Report. Archived from the original on August 29, 2018. Retrieved September 20, 2018.
  50. "2012 Senate". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved September 20, 2018.
  51. "2012 Senate Ratings". Senate Ratings. The Rothenberg Political Report. Retrieved September 20, 2018.
  52. "2012 Elections Map – Battle for the Senate 2012". Real Clear Politics. Retrieved September 20, 2018.
  53. Public Policy Polling
  54. Rasmussen Reports
  55. Rocky Mountain Poll
  56. Public Policy Polling
  57. HighGround/Moore Archived October 3, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  58. Rasmussen Reports
  59. LCV/Public Policy Polling
  60. LCV/Public Policy Polling
  61. Rasmussen Reports
  62. Public Policy Polling [usurped]
  63. 1 2 Magellan Strategies
  64. 1 2 3 4 Rasmussen Reports
  65. NBC News/Marist
  66. 1 2 3 4 Public Policy Polling
  67. 1 2 3 4 Public Policy Polling
  68. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Public Policy Polling
  69. 1 2 3 4 Public Policy Polling
  70. 2012 Election. State of Arizona. Official Canvass
  71. "Daily Kos Elections' statewide election results by congressional and legislative districts". Daily Kos. Retrieved August 11, 2020.

Official campaign websites (Archived)