2012 United States Senate election in Arizona

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. Incumbent Senator Jon Kyl (R), the Senate Minority Whip, decided to retire instead of seeking a fourth term. 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. This is also the last time an Arizona Republican was elected to and served a full term in the US Senate.

Kyl later served in the Senate again in 2018 from September 5 to December 31; he was appointed to Arizona's other Senate seat after John McCain's August 2018 death and served until his resignation.

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

Declared

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

Withdrew

 * Doug McKee, businessman

Declined

 * Fife Symington III, former Arizona governor
 * Joe Arpaio, Maricopa County sheriff (running for re-election as Sheriff)
 * Jan Brewer, Arizona governor
 * Trent Franks, U.S. representative
 * J. D. Hayworth, former U.S. representative
 * Jon Kyl, incumbent U.S. senator
 * Sarah Palin, former governor of Alaska (2006–2009) and nominee for Vice President of the United States in 2008
 * Ben Quayle, U.S. representative
 * David Schweikert, U.S. representative
 * John Shadegg, former U.S. representative

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.

Declared

 * Richard Carmona, former Surgeon General of the United States

Withdrew

 * Don Bivens, former chairman of the Arizona Democratic Party
 * David Ruben, physician

Declined

 * Dennis Burke, United States Attorney
 * Phil Gordon, Mayor of Phoenix
 * Ed Pastor, U.S. Representative
 * Warren Stewart, civil rights leader
 * Gabby Giffords, former U.S. Representative
 * Mark Kelly, astronaut and husband of Gabrielle Giffords, (later elected to Arizona's Class 3 Senate seat in 2020).
 * Janet Napolitano, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security and former Arizona governor
 * Jim Pederson, former Arizona Democratic Party chairman and 2006 Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate

Candidates

 * Jeff Flake (Republican), U.S. Representative
 * Richard Carmona (Democratic), former U.S. Surgeon General
 * Michael F. Meyer (independent)
 * Marc J. Victor (Libertarian), attorney

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
 * Complete video of debate, October 10, 2012 – C-SPAN
 * Complete video of debate, October 15, 2012 – C-SPAN
 * Complete video of debate, October 25, 2012 – C-SPAN

Polling

 * Republican primary


 * Democratic primary


 * with Don Bivens


 * with J.D. Hayworth


 * with Jeff Flake


 * with Jon Kyl


 * with Sarah Palin

Results by congressional districts
Despite losing, Carmona carried 5 of the 9 congressional districts.