Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand won re-election to her first full term. She was opposed in the general election by Wendy Long (who ran on the Republican and Conservative Party tickets) and by three minor party candidates. Gillibrand was re-elected with 72% of the vote. She carried 60 out of 62 counties statewide, losing only Wyoming and Alleghany counties.
The 2012 New York State Republican Convention took place on March 16, 2012.[8] Candidates Wendy Long, George Maragos, and Congressman Bob Turner each reached the threshold of 25% of the weighted vote necessary to qualify for the June 26 primary ballot; however, none of the candidates achieved a majority.[9] Long prevailed by a sizeable margin in the June 26 Republican primary, receiving 50.9% of the vote; Turner received 35.6% and Maragos 13.5%.[10]
Long was designated as the nominee for the Conservative Party of New York State, and appeared on its ballot line in the general election as well as the Republican Party line.[4][11]
Withdrew
Joe Carvin, Rye Town Supervisor,[12] withdrew on March 16, 2012[13] to run for the House of Representatives against Nita Lowey.
Polling
Endorsements
Wendy Long
John Bolton, former US Ambassador to the United Nations
Gillibrand won all 27 congressional districts, including six held by Republicans.[45] She won all but two with over 60% of the vote, with the 27th being her weakest with only 55% of the vote.
^Dr. Michael McDonald (February 9, 2013). "2012 General Election Turnout Rates". George Mason University. Archived from the original on April 24, 2013. Retrieved April 6, 2013.
^Hill, Michael (November 3, 2010). "Day after win, NY Sen. Gillibrand is running again". Associated Press. Retrieved December 28, 2010.
^Johnson, Michael (March 12, 2012). "State Independence Party Backs Gillibrand". Capital Tonight. Archived from the original on March 20, 2012. Retrieved May 6, 2012.
^ a b"New York Democrats back Kirsten Gillibrand for US Senate; Conservatives pick Wendy Long". The Post-Standard. Associated Press. March 19, 2012. Retrieved May 6, 2012.
^Benjamin, Liz (January 29, 2012). "A New Challenger To Gillibrand?". Capital Tonight. Archived from the original on February 8, 2012. Retrieved January 30, 2012.
^"U.S. Senate Hopeful Speaks to Rockland Republicans - Pearl River, NY Patch". patch.com. Archived from the original on July 27, 2011. Retrieved June 3, 2011.
^Campbell, Colin (March 13, 2012). "Bob Turner Announces U.S. Senate Campaign Against Kirsten Gillibrand". Politicker. Retrieved March 13, 2012.
^Seiler, Casey (February 19, 2012). Save the date: GOP plans March 16 convention. Capitol Confidential (Albany Times-Union). Retrieved February 19, 2012.
^Benjamin, Liz (March 16, 2012). Three-Way GOP Primary For US Senate. Capital Tonight. Retrieved March 16, 2012.
^"Long wins NY Senate GOP primary to face Gillibrand". Wall Street Journal. News Corporation. June 27, 2012. Archived from the original on June 28, 2012. Retrieved June 27, 2012.
^"Long wins NY Senate GOP primary to face Gillibrand". WSJ.com. Archived from the original on June 28, 2012.
^Vielkind, Jimmy (February 29, 2012). "Joe Carvin of Rye also challenging Gillibrand". Albany Times Union. Retrieved February 29, 2012.
^Benjamin, Elizabeth (March 16, 2012). Carvin Out Of US Senate Race (Updated). Capital Tonight. Retrieved March 16, 2012.
^ a b c dQuinnipiac Archived October 8, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
^"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.
^ a b cQuinnipiac Archived May 31, 2012, at the Wayback Machine