In the election, he faced Ganjar Pranowo of the PDI-P and Hadi Prabowo of the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), being defeated by the former.

Incumbent, Bibit Waluyo, ran for re-election with Sudijono, the Chancellor of the State University of Semarang.

The PDI-P (who had supported Waluyo in the 2008 election), brought Ganjar Pranowo, a member of the People's Representative Council as a candidate, together with Heru Sudjatmoko who was serving as the Regent of Purbalingga.

Interestingly, the deputy governor of Central Java, Rustriningsih which had been predicted to be promoted by the PDI-P, was not nominated.

Meanwhile Hadi Prabowo, the Regional Secretary of Central Java ran with the Regent of Sumedang, Don Murdono.