Incumbent U.S. Rep. Ed Case and Rep. Jill Tokuda secured their parties' nominations in Hawaii’s congressional primaries on Aug. 9, defeating progressive challengers to advance to the November general election.
Case, representing Hawaii’s 1st District, defeated state Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole with approximately 60% of the vote, while Tokuda, representing the 2nd District, won her primary in a landslide. Both incumbents will face Republican opponents in November: Adriel C. Lam in the 1st District and Brenton Awa in the 2nd District.
In the gubernatorial race, Democratic Gov. Josh Green advanced to the general election alongside Republican Gary Cordery.
Primary Outcomes and Key Races
Case’s victory marks a notable win for establishment Democrats amid a broader trend of progressive challenges to incumbent lawmakers. Keohokalole, a progressive state senator, ran on a platform advocating for Medicare for All, expanded abortion rights, and opposition to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations. Case, a centrist Democrat known for his fiscal conservatism, emphasized his seniority and experience, arguing that his tenure in Congress provides greater influence to address crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the Maui wildfires.
Tokuda, seeking a third term, defeated three primary challengers, including Kirill Basin, who gained attention after a viral video showed him involved in a beach altercation. Basin was later charged with two counts of first-degree terroristic threatening, according to court records.
Policy and Political Tensions
The primary races highlighted divisions within the Democratic Party over policy and leadership. Keohokalole criticized Case for his support of an earlier version of the SAVE Act, a voting integrity bill requiring documentary proof of U.S. citizenship for voter registration. Case initially voted for the bill but later opposed a revised version, citing concerns about disenfranchising eligible voters in Hawaii, where some residents lack standard documentation.
Tokuda’s campaign did not face significant intraparty opposition, reflecting her alignment with the party’s mainstream priorities. Her district, rated D+12 by the Cook Political Report, is considered a safe Democratic seat.
General Election Matchups
Case and Tokuda will face Republican opponents in November. Lam, a retired Army officer, ran unopposed in the Republican primary for the 1st District, while Awa, a state senator, advanced in the 2nd District. Given Hawaii’s strong Democratic lean, both incumbents are favored to win in the general election.
Gov. Green, who won his primary in a landslide, will face Cordery in November. Green’s campaign emphasized his leadership during crises, including the Maui wildfires, while Cordery positioned himself as an alternative to Democratic policies.
Background and Context
Hawaii’s congressional primaries followed a pattern seen in other states, where moderate incumbents fended off progressive challenges. Case’s victory bucked a recent trend of left-wing challengers unseating established Democrats, reinforcing the party’s establishment wing ahead of the midterms.
The results underscore ongoing debates within the Democratic Party about the balance between experience and generational change, as well as the party’s stance on issues such as healthcare, immigration, and election integrity.