2012 West Virginia gubernatorial election

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.

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

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

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

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.