Ballotpedia's 2012 General Election Preview Articles: Hawaii State Legislature
From Ballotpedia
November 2, 2012
By Ballotpedia's State legislative team
| Hawaii's State Legislative Elections in 2012 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Senate seats | Contested senate seats | House seats | Contested house seats |
| 25 | 15 (60.0%) | 51 | 32 (62.7%) |
HONOLULU, Hawaii: There are 76 total legislative seats with 2012 elections in Hawaii, where polling places are open from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM Hawaii Time.[1]
The State Senate is almost completely controlled by the Democratic party, with only one Republican member in the 25-seat body. Democrats also hold a large majority in the 51 seat State House, controlling 42 seats to the Republican's 8-member delegation and one vacancy.
Of the 76 incumbents up for election in 2012, 71 (93.4%) of them are running for re-election. A total of 47 of 76 (61.8%) districts will see more than one major party candidate in the general election.
Here are a few races to watch:
Senate
- In District 2: With the incumbent running in another district after redistricting, this open seat attracted attention during the state primary. Russell Ruderman, who defeated House incumbent Bob Herkes in the Democratic primary, faces Daryl Lee Smith in the general election.
- In District 10: According to a press release from his campaign, Eric Marshall (R) will adopt a child if he wins the election. He faces District 9 incumbent Les Ihara, Jr. (D).[2]
House
- In District 3: Incumbent Democrat Cliff Tsuji is running for re-election in District 2, leaving this race without an incumbent. Democrat Richard Onishi, Republican Marlene Nachbar Hapai, and Libertarian Frederick Fogel are vying for this seat.
- In District 6: With incumbent Democrat Denny Coffman running for re-election in District 5, this race attracted multiple candidates to both major party primaries. Nicole Lowen narrowly defeated Kalei Akaka in a four-way race for the Democratic nomination, and Roy Ebert won the Republican nod in a contested race.
- In District 40: Incumbent Democrat Sharon Har is running for re-election in District 42, leaving this race without an incumbent. Chris Kalani Manabat emerged from a crowded Democratic primary field, and faces Bob McDermott in the final contest for this seat.
- In District 47: Incumbent Republican Gil Riviere, who was first elected in 2011, was defeated by current Republican nominee Richard Fale in the primary. D. Ululani Beirne won the Democratic nomination in an uncontested race.
| Hawaii State Senate | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | As of November 5, 2012 | After the 2012 Election | |
| Democratic Party | 24 | 24 | |
| Republican Party | 1 | 1 | |
| Total | 25 | 25 | |
| Hawaii House of Representatives | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | As of November 5, 2012 | After the 2012 Election | |
| Democratic Party | 42 | 44 | |
| Republican Party | 8 | 7 | |
| Vacancy | 1 | 0 | |
| Total | 51 | 51 | |
Articles
- 2012 elections review: Handful of incumbents defeated in Hawaii primaries August 13
- 2012 elections preview: Hawaii voters to select winners in congressional, legislative primaries August 10
See also
- Ballotpedia's 2012 General Election Preview Articles: Hawaii Congressional Seats
- Ballotpedia:2012 general election preview articles
- State legislative elections, 2012
- November 6, 2012 election results
- State legislative elections, 2012
- Hawaii elections, 2012
Footnotes
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