The 2012 North Dakota gubernatorial election was held on November 6, 2012, to elect a governor and lieutenant governor of North Dakota, concurrently with the 2012 U.S. presidential election, elections to the United States Senate, elections to the United States House of Representatives, and various state and local elections. Incumbent Governor Jack Dalrymple succeeded to the office when then-Governor John Hoeven resigned to take a seat in the U.S. Senate in 2010. Dalrymple, a member of the Republican Party, won election to a full term. Ryan Taylor was the Democratic nominee. Dalrymple prevailed with 63% of the vote; he declined to seek re-election in 2016.
Republican Party
Candidates
The North Dakota Republican Party selected incumbent Governor Jack Dalrymple as their nominee. Incumbent Lieutenant Governor Drew Wrigley was his running mate. Dalrymple defeated Fargo architect Paul Sorum, who later ran as an independent.
Declined
- Ed Schafer, former governor of North Dakota and former U.S. secretary of agriculture
Libertarian Party
Candidates
The Libertarian Party of North Dakota selected Roland Riemers, a real estate investor, failed 2010 candidate for Grand Forks County sheriff, and failed 1996 candidate for president, as their candidate.
On July 5, 2012, it was announced that Riemers would not appear on the ballot because his running mate, Richard Ames, failed to file a page of his paperwork.
On September 12, 2012, after being disqualified from appearing on the ballot, Riemers, a Libertarian now running as an independent with Anthony Johns, said in a news release that he had submitted more than 1,100 signatures to the secretary of state. The pair appeared on the ballot certified by the secretary on Monday. Riemers filed a lawsuit to have the other candidates removed from the ballot.
Democratic-NPL Party
Candidates
The North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party selected rancher and North Dakota Senate Minority Leader Ryan Taylor as their nominee. Ellen Chaffee was his running mate.
General election
Debates
- Complete video of debate, October 5, 2012 - C-SPAN
Results
Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic
- Benson (largest CDP: Fort Totten)
- McHenry (largest city: Velva)
- Pierce (largest city: Rugby)
- Ransom (largest city: Lisbon)
- Sioux (largest CDP: Cannon Ball)