Republican contractor Gary Cordery won his party’s nomination for Hawaii governor on Saturday, setting up a November rematch against Democratic Gov. Josh Green in a race currently rated as Solid Democratic by the Cook Political Report.
Cordery, who owns a contracting company, defeated business owner Ken Fujiyama in the primary. He will face Green, who secured his party’s nomination after defeating three primary challengers. The general election will mark the first time since 2010 that Hawaii voters have a choice between a Republican and Democratic candidate for governor.
Key details of the race
Cordery’s campaign has emphasized lowering Hawaii’s high cost of living, reforming education, and addressing corruption. He proposes adding 15,000 homes for working families, priced between $400,000 and $600,000, by using state-owned land for fee-simple housing and streamlining permitting. His fundraising totals $313,000, significantly behind Green’s $3.5 million, according to Honolulu Civil Beat.
Green, who was first elected in 2022, enters the general election with a 56% approval rating, per Civil Beat. His primary opponents—David "Duke" Bourgoin, George "Teva" Lucas-Tadeo, and Lauren Kapoliahiʻiaka Shim—raised no money and garnered minimal support, with Bourgoin receiving just 590 votes compared to Green’s 158,161.
Hawaii’s political landscape
Hawaii has not elected a Republican governor since Linda Lingle left office in 2010. The state’s Cook Political Report rating of D+13 reflects its long-standing Democratic dominance. Cordery’s candidacy represents the GOP’s latest effort to break the party’s two-decade hold on the governor’s mansion.
Green’s campaign has not publicly addressed Cordery’s policy proposals in detail, focusing instead on his incumbency and policy record. Political observers note that Green’s policies have faced little public backlash, according to John Hart, a communications professor at Hawaiʻi Pacific University, who told Civil Beat: “His policies have been fairly popular, there hasn’t been anything he’s done that’s really created a pushback.”
Campaign finance and structural challenges
Cordery’s financial disadvantage is stark: Green has raised $3.5 million, while Cordery has raised $313,000, per Civil Beat. Cordery’s housing proposal, which includes using state-owned land for development, has drawn attention but no official response from Green’s campaign.
The general election will take place on November 3, 2026, with polls closing at 2 a.m. EDT on November 4. Both candidates will campaign on economic issues, though their approaches differ significantly—Green’s incumbency and Cordery’s outsider status.
Background on the primary outcomes
In the Democratic primary, Green faced three challengers, none of whom had campaign websites or raised significant funds. Lucas-Tadeo, a Democratic socialist, campaigned on publicly run grocery stores and marijuana legalization but failed to gain traction. Bourgoin, who previously ran against Green in 2022, received minimal support again this cycle.
On the Republican side, Cordery’s victory marks a shift from past primaries, where the GOP has struggled to field competitive candidates. His focus on housing affordability and economic reform contrasts with the state’s Democratic-controlled legislature, which has historically prioritized progressive policies.
What’s next
Cordery will now focus on expanding his campaign’s reach, while Green will likely emphasize his record as governor. The race is expected to remain highly competitive, given Hawaii’s economic challenges and the state’s political dynamics.