Marriage debate drives many key races
By The Honolulu Star-Advertiser | |
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
The churn at the top has caused political uncertainty that may take several election cycles to settle. Gov.
Majority Democrats are certain to keep control of the state
Democrats now hold a 24-1 majority in the
Here's a look at some of this year's key legislative races:
--Sen.
--
--
Outlook: Democratic. Solomon held off Inouye,
a former state senator and mayor, by 69 votes in the primary in 2012. Solomon is chairwoman of the
--
--Sen.
--
--Jared "Pika" Dubois (R)
--
Outlook: Democratic. Baker is chairwoman of the
--Sen.
--
--
Outlook: Leans Democratic. Kidani is vice chairwoman of the
But this is one of the races where gay marriage could be an undercurrent. Kim, an insurance agent and estate planner, has served as public affairs director for the
--Sen.
--
--
--
--
--
Outlook: Democratic. Shimabukuro is chairwoman of the
--Rep.
--
--
--
Outlook: Open seat. Tossup. Sen.
STATEHOUSE
--Rep.
--
--
--
--Julia Peleiholani (D)
--
Outlook: Democratic. House leaders scolded Hanohano, chairwoman of the
--Rep.
--
--
--
Outlook: Tossup. Lowen, a freshman, edged Akaka, granddaughter of retired U.S. Sen.
--Rep.
--
Outlook: Democratic. Woodson was appointed last year by Gov.
--Rep.
--
--
Outlook: Democratic. Tokioka has strong ties to the political establishment on the
--Rep.
--
Outlook: Leans Democratic. Brower, chairman of the
to stolen shopping carts used by the homeless. Grace, a former executive director of Hawaii Right to Life who works in home health care, is among the candidates being touted by religious conservatives.
--Rep.
--
Outlook: Democratic. Choy, chairman of the
to share his expertise on
financial issues. Kinney, an insurance executive, is a former aide to Mayor
--Rep.
--
Outlook: Tossup. Ohno,
a freshman, defeated longtime Republican state Rep.
--House Vice Speaker
--Carole Kaapu (R)
Outlook: Democratic. Mizuno comfortably defeated Kaapu in 2012. The vice speaker, a Christian, has been active in the faith-based community in his district, but his decision to change his position and support marriage equality disappointed some fellow Christians.
--
--
--
--
Outlook: Open. Leans Democratic. Rep.
--Rep.
--
--
Outlook: Leans Republican. Chang, a freshman, is one of the
--Rep.
--
Outlook: Democratic. Aquino is chairman of the
--Rep.
--
--
--
--
Outlook: Leans Democratic. Cabanilla, House majority floor leader, has held off several challenges since she first claimed the district in 2004, but rarely without drama. LoPresti, a
--Rep.
--
--
--
Outlook: Leans Democratic. Har, vice chairwoman of the
--Rep.
--Stacelynn Eli (D)
--
Outlook: Leans Democratic. Awana resigned her post as House majority floor leader last year after her fourth fine for campaign-finance violations, which could make her vulnerable. Tupola, a music educator and Mormon who helped organize neighborhood protests against the special session on gay marriage, is among the
--Rep.
Matsumoto (R)
--
Outlook: Leans Republican.
--
--Feki Pouha (R)
Outlook: Open. Tossup. Rep.
--
--
--
--Kaimanu Takayama (L)
--
Outlook: Open. Leans Democratic. Rep.
--Rep.
--
--
Outlook: Republican. Thielen, a leading voice on environmental and energy issues, is the only Republican in
--Rep.
--
Outlook: Leans Democratic. Lee was the most visible House Democrat in the drive for marriage equality. Hikida is a retired insurance executive and former Mormon bishop influenced to run by the gay marriage debate.
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