Ed Case defeats progressive challenger in Hawaii primary

U.S. Rep. Ed Case turned back a progressive primary challenge in Hawaii’s 1st Congressional District on Saturday, winning renomination in a race watched for signs of whether left-leaning challengers could extend recent gains against more moderate Democratic incumbents.

The Associated Press projected Case the winner over state Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole. With 91% of the vote counted, Case had 60% to Keohokalole’s 36.1%, giving the incumbent a lead of nearly 14 percentage points over his closest challenger.

“I feel very grateful that the voters want me to continue in office,” Case, 73, told Hawaii Public Radio on Saturday.

Keohokalole, 43, conceded the result in comments to KHON2. “The voters decided, and we respect the results,” he said. “The seats don’t belong to any individual. You have to earn them, and so the voters spoke.”

Case has represented the 1st District, which includes Honolulu and other parts of Oʻahu, since 2019. He previously represented Hawaii’s 2nd District, which includes more rural parts of Oʻahu and the other islands, from 2002 to 2007. Hawaii’s two congressional districts split the state between the Honolulu-centered 1st District and the 2nd District, represented by Rep. Jill Tokuda, which covers the rest of Hawaii.

The primary unfolded after a series of high-profile Democratic contests in which progressive or left-wing candidates challenged the party establishment. CBS News reported that Democratic incumbents in safe districts in New York and Colorado have been ousted this year by primary challengers. The Guardian reported that left-wing candidates have also gained attention in other Democratic primaries, including Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan this week, with attention shifting next to Wisconsin’s gubernatorial primary, where Democratic socialist Francesca Hong is leading a crowded race.

Keohokalole campaigned on a message that Hawaii needed a new generation of political leadership. He also criticized Case over his vote to send military aid to Israel and his earlier support for President Donald Trump’s SAVE Act, legislation that would require U.S. voters to prove citizenship when registering for federal elections.

Case was one of three House Democrats to vote for an earlier version of the bill. He later said he did not support the latest version after an option allowing voters to attest in writing that they are citizens was removed. “I’m not 100% voter with my party,” Case told Hawaii News Now. “Never have been, never will be.”

During the campaign, Case pointed to his senior position on a key spending committee and argued that Hawaii would receive fewer federal dollars if he were not returned to Congress. Keohokalole, meanwhile, cited Case’s campaign donations from businesses as part of his argument that the incumbent had lost touch with voters.

Case will face Republican Adriel Lam, who was unopposed in the GOP primary, in November. Hawaii’s strong Democratic lean makes Case favored in the general election.

Other Hawaii incumbents also advanced Saturday. Tokuda won the Democratic primary in the 2nd Congressional District; with 90% of votes counted, the AP said she had 91.6% of the vote. Gov. Josh Green, who has led Hawaii since 2022, defeated several challengers to secure the Democratic nomination for governor. He will face Republican Gary Cordery, who won Saturday’s GOP primary, in November.