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.
As of 2026, this was the last time a Democratic governor was re-elected in the state, the last time a Democrat won and served a full term as governor of West Virginia, and the last time a Democrat was elected governor of West Virginia with a majority of votes.
Democratic primary
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
Republican primary
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
General election
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
Results
By county
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
Ray Tomblin won two of three congressional districts, including one that elected a Republican.