Blue Hawaii turned even bluer as a tsunami of Democratic candidates washed over all fifty states, driven in large part by union members and labor organizing.
Thanks to the support of HGEA members, U.S. Rep. Ed Case (Congressional District 1) and U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda (CD2) handily won re-election and will be returning to a U.S. House under Democratic control.
Labor showed up big for Gov. Josh Green and his running-mate Kauai County Mayor Derek Kawakami, who will assume the role of lieutenant governor in Green’s second term.
HGEA also won a huge victory on Maui with the re-election of Mayor Richard Bissen, who faced more than $2.4 million of opposition from the Carpenter’s political action committee. Voters rejected last-minute smear tactics and a flood of mailers and ads attempting to cast doubt on Bissen’s reputation as a friend of public employees and working families.
Democrats picked up even more seats in the state Legislature, which was already solidly in their control
HGEA endorsed candidates sailed to victory including Sen. Danielle Bass (Dist. 18) and Sen. Rachele Lamosao (Dist. 19). Seats formerly held by Republicans in the state House will now be filled with union-friendly members, including former UPW President Jamie Wataru (Dist. 18) and former HSTA President Corey Rosenlee (Dist. 39).
Here’s the full-list of HGEA-endorsed candidates who won Tuesday, Nov. 3:
Federal Races
- Ed Case, Congressional District 1
- Jill Tokuda, Congressional District 2
Statewide Races
- Josh Green, Governor
- Derek Kawakami, Lt. Governor
State Senate
- Joy San Buenaventura, District 2
- Stanley Chang, District 9
- Tricia Nakamatsu, District 13
- Danielle Bass, District 18
- Rachel Lamosao, District 19
State House
- Sue Lee Loy, District 2
- Chris Todd, District 3
- Greggor Ilagan, District 4
- Jeanne Kapela, District 5
- David Tarnas, District 8
- Tyson Miyake, District 10
- Terez Amato, District 11
- Kyle Yamashita, District 12
- Mahina Poepoe, District 13
- Pa‘ele Kiakona, District 14
- Luke Evslin, District 16
- Dee Morikawa, District 17
- Jamie Wataru, District 18
- Tina Nakada Grandinetti, District 20
- Ikaika Olds, District 23
- Ian Ross, District 26
- Ikaika Hussey, District 29
- Linda Ichiyama, District 31
- Gregg Takayama, District 34
- Julie Reyes Oda, District 40
- Darius Kila, District 44
- Amy Perruso, District 46
- Sean Quinlan, District 47
- Scot Matayoshi, District 49
- Mike Lee, District 50
Office of Hawaiian Affairs
- Keoni Souza, At-large Trustee
Hawaii County Council
- Lloyd Enriquez, District 4
- Ikaika Rodenhurst, District 5
- Zed Ka‘apana Aki, District 6
Kauai County Council
- Paul Applegate
- Michelle Correa
- Fern Holland
- Arryl Kaneshiro
- Todd Ozaki
- Dane Smith
Maui County Mayor
- Richard Bissen
Maui County Council
- Shane Sinenci, East Maui
- Tamara Paltin, West Maui
- Marvin Moniz, Wailuku-Waihee-Waikapu
- Kauanoe Batangan, Kahului
- Nohe U‘u-Hodgins, Makawao-Haiku-Paia
- Bobby Pahia, Upcountry
Oahu County Council
- Trevor Ozawa, District 4
- Tyler Dos Santos-Tam, District 6