2012 United States Senate election in California
2012 United States Senate election in California Turnout 55.2% (voting eligible)[ 1]
County results Congressional district results Feinstein: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% >90%Emken: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80%
The 2012 United States Senate election in California took place on November 6, 2012, concurrently with the 2012 U.S. presidential election as well as other elections to the United States Senate and House of Representatives and various state and local elections.
The primary election on June 5 took place under California's new blanket primary law, where all candidates appear on the same ballot, regardless of party. In the primary, voters voted for any candidate listed, or write-in any other candidate. The top two finishers—regardless of party—advanced to the general election in November, even if a candidate managed to receive a majority of the votes cast in the June primary. In the primary, less than 15% of the total 2010 census population voted. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein announced her intention to run for a fourth full term in April 2011[ 2]
Feinstein ultimately defeated Emken in the general election on November 6, winning 62.5% of the vote to Emken's 37.5%. Feinstein's total of 7.86 million popular votes was the most ever received by a candidate for U.S. Senate in American history until Adam Schiff won the same seat with over 8 million votes in 2024 .[ 3] 2016 and 2018 ; however, this streak was broken in 2022 .
Primary
Candidates
Democratic Party
Dianne Feinstein , incumbent U.S. senator[ 4] Colleen Shea Fernald
David Levitt, computer scientist and engineer[ 5]
Nak Shah, environmental health consultant
Diane Stewart, businesswoman
Mike Strimling, attorney and former U.S. Peace Corps legal adviser
Republican Party
John Boruff, businessman[ 6]
Oscar Alejandro Braun, businessman and rancher
Greg Conlon, businessman and CPA
Elizabeth Emken, candidate for the 11th congressional district in 2010 [ 7] [ 8]
Rogelio Gloria, U.S. Naval Officer
Dan Hughes, businessman[ 9]
Dennis Jackson
Dirk Konopik, former congressional aide[ 8]
Donald Krampe
Robert Lauten
Al Ramirez, businessman[ 10]
Nachum Shifren , rabbi and state senate candidate in 2010 [ 11] Orly Taitz , dentist, Birther movement activist and candidate for California Secretary of State in 2010 [ 12] Rick Williams, business attorney[ 13]
Libertarian
Gail Lightfoot, retired nurse
Peace and Freedom
American Independent
Don J. Grundmann, chiropractor Despite Don J. Grundmann running, the American Independent Party gave their party endorsement to Republican Robert Lauten.[ 14]
Polling
Results
Primary results by county: Feinstein ≥ 20%
Feinstein ≥ 30%
Feinstein ≥ 40%
Feinstein ≥ 50%
Feinstein ≥ 60%
Feinstein ≥ 70%
Election contest
In July 2012, Taitz sued to block the certification of the primary election results, alleging "rampant election fraud", but her suit was denied.[ 16] [ 17]
General election
Fundraising
Candidate (party)
Receipts
Disbursements
Cash on hand
Debt
Dianne Feinstein (D)
$12,673,306
$12,105,960
$865,541
$373,734
Elizabeth Emken (R)
$1,114,350
$1,110,209
$4,140
$4,479
Source: Federal Election Commission [ 18] [ 19]
Top contributors
Dianne Feinstein
Contribution
Elizabeth Emken
Contribution
Pacific Gas and Electric Company
$120,700
Thomas H. Lee Partners
$10,000
JStreetPAC
$82,171
DevicePharm, Inc.
$7,500
General Atomics
$56,750
Troy Group
$7,500
Edison International
$54,250
Jelly Belly
$5,500
General Dynamics
$43,500
Autism Advocate
$5,000
BAE Systems
$40,000
Geier Group
$5,000
Diamond Foods
$31,599
Generations Healthcare
$5,000
Northrop Grumman
$30,800
Gingery Development
$4,000
International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees
$30,000
MIR3, Inc.
$3,000
Wells Fargo
$27,250
Northrop Grumman
$2,800
Source: OpenSecrets [ 20]
Top industries
Dianne Feinstein
Contribution
Elizabeth Emken
Contribution
Lawyers /Law Firms
$565,129
Retired
$63,849
Retired
$463,058
Republican/Conservative
$35,800
Agribusiness
$367,132
Financial Institutions
$26,100
Real Estate
$334,321
Real Estate
$19,200
Lobbyists
$324,196
Business Services
$16,000
Financial Institutions
$321,744
Misc Finance
$12,750
Electric Utilities
$313,450
Printing & Publishing
$8,000
Entertainment Industry
$300,321
Food & Beverage
$6,000
Women's Issues
$207,449
Petroleum Industry
$6,000
High-Tech Industry
$205,789
Lawyers/Law Firms
$5,458
Source: OpenSecrets [ 21]
Candidates
Dianne Feinstein (D), incumbent U.S. SenatorElizabeth Emken (R), former Vice President of Autism Speaks[ 22]
Debates
No debates were scheduled. Senator Feinstein decided to focus on her own campaign rather than debate her challenger.[ 23] [ 24]
Predictions
Polling
Poll source
Date(s)
Sample
Margin of
Dianne
Elizabeth
Other
Undecided
SurveyUSA [ 29] May 27–29, 2012
1,575
±2.5%
50%
34%
—
15%
The Field Poll [ 30] June 21 – July 2, 2012
848
±3.5%
51%
32%
—
17%
CBRT Pepperdine [ 31] July 30 – August 1, 2012
873
±3.3%
46%
34%
—
21%
SurveyUSA [ 32] September 9–11, 2012
524
±4.2%
55%
37%
—
9%
The Field Poll [ 33] September 6–18, 2012
902
±3.4%
57%
31%
—
12%
SurveyUSA [ 34] October 7–9, 2012
539
±4.3%
54%
35%
—
10%
Reason-Rupe [ 35] October 11–15, 2012
508
±5.1%
60%
34%
2%
5%
LA Times /USC [ 36] October 15–21, 2012
1,440
±n/a
55%
38%
1%
6%
The Field Poll [ 37] October 17–24, 2012
815
±3.6%
56%
32%
—
12%
The Field Poll [ 37] October 25–30, 2012
751
±3.6%
54%
33%
—
13%
Results
By county
Dianne Feinstein
Elizabeth Emken
County
Votes
%
Votes
%
Alameda 468,456
81.9%
103,313
18.1%
Alpine 409
64.1%
229
35.9%
Amador 7,051
40.8%
10,232
59.2%
Butte 43,681
49.3%
44,981
50.7%
Calaveras 8,878
41.6%
12,479
58.4%
Colusa 2,482
43.3%
3,253
56.7%
Contra Costa 300,194
70.1%
128,310
29.9%
Del Norte 4,065
47.4%
4,502
52.6%
El Dorado 35,776
41.3%
50,820
58.7%
Fresno 129,267
51.1%
123,499
48.9%
Glenn 3,520
39.0%
5,515
61.0%
Humboldt 36,162
65.0%
19,437
35.0%
Imperial 25,342
67.2%
12,346
32.8%
Inyo 3,333
42.6%
4,494
57.4%
Kern 92,252
42.3%
125,906
57.7%
Kings 13,304
42.6%
17,916
57.4%
Lake 13,543
59.0%
9,424
41.0%
Lassen 3,150
29.9%
7,390
70.1%
Los Angeles 2,183,654
71.5%
868,924
28.5%
Madera 15,997
41.1%
22,942
58.9%
Marin 105,153
80.1%
26,105
19.9%
Mariposa 3,551
40.3%
5,268
59.7%
Mendocino 24,254
70.3%
10,224
29.7%
Merced 32,955
55.0%
27,000
45.0%
Modoc 1,188
30.1%
2,761
69.9%
Mono 2,600
52.0%
2,404
48.0%
Monterey 84,585
69.6%
36,930
30.4%
Napa 37,122
66.5%
18,682
33.5%
Nevada 25,495
50.4%
25,078
49.6%
Orange 515,902
47.5%
570,574
52.5%
Placer 68,599
41.4%
97,139
58.6%
Plumas 4,162
42.8%
5,560
57.2%
Riverside 327,698
51.9%
303,651
48.1%
Sacramento 302,078
60.7%
195,412
39.3%
San Benito 11,389
61.1%
7,255
38.9%
San Bernardino 298,067
54.0%
253,433
46.0%
San Diego 622,781
54.4%
521,884
45.6%
San Francisco 305,126
88.5%
39,589
11.5%
San Joaquin 113,706
57.0%
85,787
43.0%
San Luis Obispo 62,216
50.8%
60,262
49.2%
San Mateo 213,503
77.2%
62,979
22.8%
Santa Barbara 93,921
59.6%
63,599
40.4%
Santa Clara 454,647
72.9%
168,722
27.1%
Santa Cruz 91,109
78.2%
25,463
21.8%
Shasta 27,155
36.5%
47,184
63.5%
Sierra 677
38.6%
1,078
61.4%
Siskiyou 8,196
42.0%
11,334
58.0%
Solano 98,251
66.0%
50,634
34.0%
Sonoma 154,892
73.7%
55,256
26.3%
Stanislaus 78,470
51.8%
73,060
48.2%
Sutter 12,395
41.2%
17,715
58.8%
Tehama 8,349
37.0%
14,241
63.0%
Trinity 2,658
47.5%
2,943
52.5%
Tulare 42,395
42.9%
56,499
57.1%
Tuolumne 10,336
42.8%
13,823
57.2%
Ventura 171,483
54.4%
143,603
45.6%
Yolo 49,148
67.7%
23,468
32.3%
Yuba 7,896
41.0%
11,376
59.0%
Totals 7,864,624 62.52% 4,713,887 37.48%
Shift by county Trend by county
Republican — >15%
Republican — +12.5−15%
Republican — +10−12.5%
Republican — +7.5−10%
Republican — +5−7.5%
Republican — +2.5−5%
Republican — +0−2.5%
Democratic — +0−2.5%
Democratic — +2.5−5%
Democratic — +5−7.5%
Democratic — +7.5-10%
Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican
By congressional district
Feinstein won 41 of the 53 congressional districts, including three held by Republicans.[ 39]
See also
References
^ 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 . ^ Marinucci, Carla (April 30, 2011). "US Sen. Dianne Feinstein on nuclear energy and her 2012 re-election: "My plan is to run" . San Francisco Chronicle Politics Blog. Archived from the original on January 22, 2012. ^ Mahtesian, Charles (November 26, 2012). "Feinstein's record: 7.3 million votes" . POLITICO . Retrieved February 12, 2020 . ^ Reston, Maeve (October 25, 2010). "Feinstein hints she'll run again in 2012" . Los Angeles Times Archived from the original on January 13, 2011. Retrieved January 3, 2011 . ^ Milhalcik, Carrie. "Citizen candidate to challenge Dianne Feinstein in Senate race" . Current TV. Archived from the original on March 20, 2012. Retrieved March 22, 2012 . ^ Walker, Mark (December 1, 2011). "REGION: Ramona man running against Feinstein in 2012" . North County Times the original on September 7, 2012. Retrieved February 12, 2012 . ^ Van Oot, Torey (November 28, 2011). "Republican Elizabeth Emken to run against Sen. Dianne Feinstein" . The Sacramento Bee the original on November 30, 2011. Retrieved November 28, 2011 . ^ a b
Richman, Josh (November 29, 2011). "Danville woman seeks GOP nod to take on Feinstein" . Oakland Tribune Contra Costa Times . Archived from the original on December 31, 2011. Retrieved February 12, 2012 .
^ Merl, Jean (February 6, 2012). "GOP businessman joins field challenging Sen. Dianne Feinstein" . Los Angeles Times Archived from the original on February 13, 2012. Retrieved February 12, 2012 . ^ Archibald, Ashley (January 28, 2012). "Santa Monican hopes to unseat Feinstein" . Santa Monica Daily Press . Retrieved February 12, 2012 . [permanent dead link ] ^ Surowski, Peter (May 18, 2011). "Rabbi Who Denounced Temecula Mosque Runs for Senate" . Temecula Patch the original on May 22, 2012. Retrieved February 12, 2012 . ^ "Orly Taitz Senate Campaign: 'Birther Queen' Running As GOP Candidate For U.S. Senate Seat In California" . The Huffington Post Archived from the original on November 7, 2011. Retrieved November 7, 2011 .^ "Rick Williams for Senate" . Archived from the original on March 9, 2012. Retrieved March 13, 2012 .^ "Voter Information Guide" (PDF) . Archived from the original (PDF) on October 28, 2015. Retrieved December 30, 2022 .^ "Statement of Vote (June 5, 2012, Presidential Primary Election)" (PDF) . California Secretary of State. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 7, 2017. Retrieved December 1, 2017 .^ Wisckol, Martin (July 12, 2012). "O.C. 'birther' sues to block primary election results" . The Orange County Register the original on July 17, 2012. ^ Wisckol, Martin (July 13, 2012). "O.C. 'birther' suit to block election results denied" . The Orange County Register the original on July 17, 2012. ^ Federal Election Commission . "2012 House and Senate Campaign Finance for California FEINSTEIN, DIANNE" . fec.gov. Archived from the original on July 21, 2013.^ Federal Election Commission . "2012 House and Senate Campaign Finance for California EMKEN, ELIZABETH" . fec.gov. Archived from the original on July 21, 2013.^ "Top Contributors 2012 Race: California Senate" . OpenSecrets . Archived from the original on April 7, 2014.^ "Top Industries 2012 Race: California Senate" . OpenSecrets . Archived from the original on April 7, 2014.^ "Elizabeth Emken" . ElizabethEmken.com . Archived from the original on October 18, 2016. Retrieved November 2, 2016 .^ PaoloPhotoFilms (September 8, 2012). " . Archived from the original on January 12, 2018 – via YouTube. ^ "Sen. Feinstein explains decision not to debate" . ocregister.com . November 1, 2012. Archived from the original on December 9, 2012.^ "2012 Senate Race Ratings for November 1, 2012" . The Cook Political Report . Archived from the original on August 29, 2018. Retrieved September 20, 2018 .^ "2012 Senate" . Sabato's Crystal Ball . Retrieved September 20, 2018 .^ "2012 Senate Ratings" . Senate Ratings . The Rothenberg Political Report. Retrieved September 20, 2018 .^ "2012 Elections Map - Battle for the Senate 2012" . Real Clear Politics. Retrieved September 20, 2018 .^ SurveyUSA ^ The Field Poll ^ CBRT Pepperdine ^ SurveyUSA ^ The Field Poll ^ SurveyUSA ^ Reason-Rupe ^ LA Times/USC [permanent dead link ] ^ a b The Field Poll ^ "Archived copy" (PDF) . Archived (PDF) from the original on December 24, 2016. Retrieved January 15, 2018 .{{cite web }}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link )^ "Daily Kos Elections' statewide election results by congressional and legislative districts" . Daily Kos . Retrieved August 11, 2020 .
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