Les Ihara Jr.
2012 - Present
2026
12
Les Ihara Jr. (Democratic Party) is a member of the Hawaii State Senate, representing District 10. He assumed office on November 6, 2012. His current term ends on November 3, 2026.
Ihara (Democratic Party) ran for re-election to the Hawaii State Senate to represent District 10. He won in the general election on November 8, 2022.
Ihara was first elected to the Hawaii State Senate in 1994. He previously represented District 10 from 1994 to 2002 and District 9 from 2002 to 2012. Ihara was Senate majority floor leader from 1995 to 1996 and Senate majority leader from 1997 to 2000. He also served as majority policy leader.
Ihara was a delegate and Vice President of the State Constitutional Convention in 1978. He was Chair of the Oahu Democratic Party from 1982 to 1984 and again from 1990 to 1994. He then served in the Hawaii House of Representatives from 1986 to 1994. From 1993 to 1994, he was House Majority Floor Leader.
Biography
Ihara earned his B.A. in Liberal Studies from the University of Hawaii in 1975. His professional experience includes working as Coordinator for the Windward Environmental Resource Center from 1973 to 1976, working as Communications Director for the State Litter Control Office from 1979 to 1982 and working as Executive Director for the Community Work Day Program Incorporated from 1983 to 1986.
Committee assignments
Note: This membership information was last updated in September 2023. Ballotpedia completes biannual updates of committee membership. If you would like to send us an update, email us at: editor@ballotpedia.org.
2023-2024
Ihara was assigned to the following committees:
2021-2022
Ihara was assigned to the following committees:
- Hawaiian Affairs Committee
- Health and Human Services Committee, Vice-Chair
- Labor, Culture and the Arts Committee (decommissioned), Vice-Chair
2019-2020
Ihara was assigned to the following committees:
- Hawaiian Affairs Committee
- Health and Human Services Committee
- Labor, Culture and the Arts Committee (decommissioned), Vice Chair
2017 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2017 legislative session, this legislator served on the following committees:
| Hawaii committee assignments, 2017 |
|---|
| • Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health |
| • International Affairs and the Arts |
| • Public Safety, Intergovernmental and Military Affairs |
2015 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2015 legislative session, Ihara served on the following committees:
| Hawaii committee assignments, 2015 |
|---|
| • Energy and Environment |
| • Government Operations |
| • Judiciary and Labor |
| • Water and Land |
2013-2014
At the beginning of the 2013 legislative session, Ihara served on the following committees:
| Hawaii committee assignments, 2013 |
|---|
| • Energy and Environment |
| • Judiciary and Labor |
2011-2012
In the 2011-2012 legislative session, Ihara served on these committees:
| Hawaii committee assignments, 2011 |
|---|
| • Human Services, Vice Chair |
| • Judiciary and Labor |
| • Energy and Environment |
| • Joint Legislative Committee on Aging in Place |
2009-2010
In the 2009-2010 legislative session, Ihara served on these committees:
| Hawaii committee assignments, 2009 |
|---|
| • Commerce and Consumer Protection |
| • Energy and Environment |
| • Human Services |
Sponsored legislation
The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according to BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.
Elections
2022
See also: Hawaii State Senate elections, 2022
General election
General election for Hawaii State Senate District 10
Incumbent Les Ihara Jr. defeated Leilani Soon in the general election for Hawaii State Senate District 10 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Les Ihara Jr. (D) | 67.0 | 10,264 |
| Leilani Soon (R) | 33.0 | 5,060 | ||
| Total votes: 15,324 | |||
 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Hawaii State Senate District 10
Incumbent Les Ihara Jr. advanced from the Democratic primary for Hawaii State Senate District 10 on August 13, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Les Ihara Jr. | 100.0 | 8,321 |
| Total votes: 8,321 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Republican primary election
Republican primary for Hawaii State Senate District 10
Leilani Soon defeated True St. Thomas in the Republican primary for Hawaii State Senate District 10 on August 13, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Leilani Soon | 77.5 | 1,334 | |
 | True St. Thomas | 22.5 | 387 | |
| Total votes: 1,721 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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2020
See also: Hawaii State Senate elections, 2020
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Hawaii State Senate District 10
Incumbent Les Ihara Jr. won election outright against Vicki Higgins and Jesus Arriola in the Democratic primary for Hawaii State Senate District 10 on August 8, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Les Ihara Jr. | 68.2 | 8,340 |
| Vicki Higgins | 21.1 | 2,576 | ||
| Jesus Arriola | 10.7 | 1,306 | ||
| Total votes: 12,222 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Nonpartisan primary election
Paul Shiraishi ran in the nonpartisan primary and received 237 votes. To advance to the general election, Hawaii election law requires nonpartisan candidates in partisan races to receive at least 10% of the votes cast for the office or to receive a vote total equal to or greater than the lowest vote total of a winning partisan candidate. Shiraishi did not meet that threshold.[1]
2016
- See also: Hawaii State Senate elections, 2016
Elections for the Hawaii State Senate took place in 2016. The primary election took place on August 13, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was June 7, 2016.
Incumbent Les Ihara, Jr. defeated Arnold Phillips II in the Hawaii State Senate District 10 general election.[2]
| Hawaii State Senate, District 10 General Election, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic |  Les Ihara, Jr. Incumbent |
83.62% | 13,845 | |
| Libertarian | Arnold Phillips II | 16.38% | 2,712 | |
| Total Votes | 16,557 | |||
| Source: State of Hawaii - Office of Elections | ||||
Incumbent Les Ihara, Jr. defeated David Farrell in the Hawaii State Senate District 10 Democratic primary.[3][4]
| Hawaii State Senate, District 10 Democratic Primary, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | Les Ihara, Jr. Incumbent |
83.74% | 6,667 | |
| Democratic | David Farrell | 16.26% | 1,295 | |
| Total Votes | 7,962 | |||
2012
- See also: Hawaii State Senate elections, 2012
Ihara won re-election in the 2012 election for Hawaii State Senate District 10. Ihara ran unopposed in the August 11 Democratic primary and defeated Eric Marshall (R) in the general election, which took place on November 6, 2012.[5][6][7]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Les Ihara, Jr. Incumbent |
77.7% | 13,703 | |
| Republican | Eric Marshall | 22.3% | 3,934 | |
| Total Votes | 17,637 | |||
2010
- See also: Hawaii State Senate elections, 2010
Ihara won re-election to the 9th District seat in 2010. He defeated Daniel Davidson in the September 18 primary. Ihara defeated Lisa Shorba (R) in the general election on November 2, 2010.[8]
| Hawaii State Senate, District 9 2010 General election results | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | Percent | ||
| Les Ihara, Jr. (D)
|
11,058 | 64.7% | ||
| Lisa Shorba (R) | 4,461 | 26.1% | ||
2006
On November 7, 2006, Ihara won re-election to the Hawaii State Senate from Hawaii's 9th Senate District. Ihara received 11,599 votes, defeating Gladys Hayes, who received 3,408 votes. Additionally, 1,024 "Blank" votes and 2 "Over" votes were cast in the election.[9] Ihara raised $62,800 for his campaign; Hayes raised $1,331.[10]
| Hawaii State Senate, District 9 (2006) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | Percent | ||
| Les Ihara, Jr. (D)
|
11,599 | 72.3% | ||
| Gladys Hayes | 3,408 | 21.3% | ||
| Blank | 1,024 | 6.4% | ||
| Over | 2 | 0.0% | ||
Campaign themes
2022
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Les Ihara Jr. did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.
2020
Les Ihara Jr. did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.
2012
Ihara's campaign website listed the following issues:[11]
- Education
- "[R]eform of education system is needed to prepare our youth for the global knowledge economy"
- Economy
- "[O]ur economy needs restructuring to allow a knowledge industry to grow and develop in Hawaii"
- Elderly
- "[A]n expanded senior service industry is needed to enable our elderly to 'age in place' with dignity"
- Environment
- "Hawaii's natural environment should not be sacrificed based on claims of a greater good"
- Politics
- "[P]olitical reforms are needed to reduce coersion [sic] and self-dealing in public decision-making"
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
Scorecards
A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.
Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.
Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of Hawaii scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.
2024
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2024, click [show]. |
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In 2024, the Hawaii State Legislature was in session from January 17 to May 3. |
2023
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2023, click [show]. |
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In 2023, the Hawaii State Legislature was in session from January 18 to May 4. |
2022
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2022, click [show]. |
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In 2022, the Hawaii State Legislature was in session from January 19 to May 5. |
2021
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2021, click [show]. |
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In 2021, the Hawaii State Legislature was in session from January 20 to April 29.
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2020
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2020, click [show]. |
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In 2020, the Hawaii State Legislature was in session from January 15 to July 10.
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2019
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2019, click [show]. |
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In 2019, the Hawaii State Legislature was in session from January 16 through May 2.
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2018
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2018, click [show]. |
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In 2018, the Hawaii State Legislature was in session from January 17 through May 3.
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2017
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2017, click [show]. |
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In 2017, the Hawaii State Legislature was in session from January 18 through May 4. The Legislature held a special session from July 12 from July 20. The legislature held its first special session from August 28 to September 1. The legislature held its second special session from September 25 to September 26. The legislature held its third special session on November 14.
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2016
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2016, click [show]. |
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In 2016, the Hawaii State Legislature was in session from January 20 through May 5. The Legislature held a special session from July 12 from July 20.
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2015
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2015, click [show]. |
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In 2015, the Hawaii State Legislature was in session from January 21 through May 7.
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2014
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2014, click [show]. |
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In 2014, the Hawaii State Legislature was in session from January 15 through May 2.
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2013
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2013, click [show]. |
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In 2013, the Hawaii State Legislature was in session from January 16 to May 3.
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Personal
Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Ihara has a wife, Catherine Cooke.
See also
2022 Elections
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Hawaii Office of Elections, "Primary Election 2020 Statewide Summary," accessed August 9, 2020
- ↑ State of Hawaii, "General Election 2016 - State of Hawaii – Statewide November 8, 2016," accessed November 23, 2016
- ↑ State of Hawaii, "2016 Candidate Report," accessed June 10, 2016
- ↑ Hawaii.gov, "Primary Election results," accessed September 12, 2016
- ↑ civilbeat.com, " Unofficial 2012 Primary election candidate list," accessed March 24, 2014
- ↑ Hawaii Secretary of State, "Official 2012 Primary election results," accessed March 24, 2014
- ↑ Hawaii Secretary of State, "Official 2012 General election results," accessed March 24, 2014
- ↑ Hawaii Secretary of State, "Official 2010 General election results," accessed December 13, 2013
- ↑ Hawaii Secretary of State, "Official 2006 General election results," accessed March 24, 2014
- ↑ Follow The Money, "Campaign funds," accessed March 24, 2014
- ↑ Les Ihara, "Priority Issues," accessed September 16, 2012
- ↑ Paychecks Hawaii, "PAYCHECKS HAWAII Ratings of the 2013 Hawaii State Legislature," accessed July 11, 2017
- ↑ Paychecks Hawaii, "PAYCHECKS HAWAII Ratings of the 2013 Hawaii State Legislature," accessed July 11, 2017
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by - |
Hawaii State Senate District 10 2012-Present |
Succeeded by - |
| Preceded by - |
Hawaii State Senate District 9 2002-2012 |
Succeeded by - |
| Preceded by - |
Hawaii State Senate District 10 1994-2002 |
Succeeded by - |
| Preceded by - |
Hawaii House of Representatives 1986-1994 |
Succeeded by - |
