Overview
The 2012 United States presidential election took place on November 6, 2012. Incumbent President Barack Obama ran for a second term as the Democratic nominee against former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney, the Republican nominee. The election coincided with contests for the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives, and it was shaped by debates over the economy, health care, and the role of campaign finance in modern politics.
Candidates and running mates
Barack Obama campaigned with Vice President Joe Biden and ran on his first-term record, including the economic recovery and the signature health care law. Mitt Romney selected a congressional colleague as his running mate and focused much of his message on private-sector experience and economic management. The Libertarian ticket, led by Gary Johnson, attracted attention as a third-party alternative during the general election.
Campaign features and issues
The 2012 campaign featured televised debates, a heavy digital and data-driven ground operation, and significant outside spending by independent groups. Major issues included job creation, federal budgetary policy, taxes, and the implementation of the Affordable Care Act. Court decisions and changes in campaign finance rules from earlier years influenced the role of independent expenditures.
Election night and results
On election night many broadcasters called the race for Obama and his running mate before midnight Eastern Time; the Republican nominee conceded in the early hours of the following morning. The president won a second term by capturing a majority in the Electoral College and the national popular vote, while the campaign also highlighted the importance of key swing states and turnout among various demographic groups.
Congressional contests and third parties
Simultaneous with the presidential contest, voters chose members of the Senate and the House of Representatives, shaping Washington's legislative balance for the following term. Third-party candidates, including the Libertarian ticket, recorded notable popular-vote totals in some states and illustrated ongoing debates about ballot access and the two-party system.
Significance and legacy
The 2012 election reinforced several modern campaign trends: the power of data analytics and targeted outreach, the centrality of social media, and the growing influence of independent spending. It also underscored enduring political divides over health care and fiscal policy, and it set the stage for subsequent electoral and policy debates in the United States.
For basic background on the principal figures and institutions mentioned, see entries on the Republican Party and on Massachusetts.