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Sean Quinlan (Hawaii)
Sean Quinlan (Democratic Party) is a member of the Hawaii House of Representatives, representing District 47. He assumed office on November 8, 2016. His current term ends on November 3, 2026.
Quinlan (Democratic Party) ran for re-election to the Hawaii House of Representatives to represent District 47. He won in the general election on November 5, 2024.
Quinlan began serving as State House Majority Leader in 2025.[1]
Biography
Sean Quinlan was born in Hong Kong in 1982. He attended George Mason University before leaving in his senior year to travel around China. His career experience includes interning with state Senator Gil Riviere.[2][3]
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
Quinlan was assigned to the following committees:
- Economic Development & Technology Committee
- House Education Committee
- Higher Education Committee
- Labor Committee
2021-2022
Quinlan was assigned to the following committees:
- Labor Committee
- Economic Development & Technology Committee, Chair
- House Education Committee
- Higher Education Committee
2019-2020
Quinlan was assigned to the following committees:
- Economic Development & Technology Committee
- Labor Committee
- Lower and Higher Education Committee, Vice Chair
2017 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2017 legislative session, this legislator served on the following committees:
| Hawaii committee assignments, 2017 |
|---|
| • Finance |
| • Housing |
| • Transportation, Vice chair |
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
2024
See also: Hawaii House of Representatives elections, 2024
General election
General election for Hawaii House of Representatives District 47
Incumbent Sean Quinlan defeated John Aguirre in the general election for Hawaii House of Representatives District 47 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Sean Quinlan (D) | 57.5 | 4,616 |
 | John Aguirre (R) | 42.5 | 3,405 | |
| Total votes: 8,021 | |||
 = 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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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Hawaii House of Representatives District 47
Incumbent Sean Quinlan advanced from the Democratic primary for Hawaii House of Representatives District 47 on August 10, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Sean Quinlan | 100.0 | 1,684 |
| Total votes: 1,684 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Hawaii House of Representatives District 47
John Aguirre advanced from the Republican primary for Hawaii House of Representatives District 47 on August 10, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | John Aguirre | 100.0 | 751 |
| Total votes: 751 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Endorsements
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Quinlan in this election.
2022
See also: Hawaii House of Representatives elections, 2022
General election
General election for Hawaii House of Representatives District 47
Incumbent Sean Quinlan defeated Mark Talaeai in the general election for Hawaii House of Representatives District 47 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Sean Quinlan (D) | 56.8 | 3,543 |
| Mark Talaeai (R) | 43.2 | 2,698 | ||
| Total votes: 6,241 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Hawaii House of Representatives District 47
Incumbent Sean Quinlan advanced from the Democratic primary for Hawaii House of Representatives District 47 on August 13, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Sean Quinlan | 100.0 | 2,311 |
| Total votes: 2,311 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Hawaii House of Representatives District 47
Mark Talaeai advanced from the Republican primary for Hawaii House of Representatives District 47 on August 13, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Mark Talaeai | 100.0 | 1,493 | |
| Total votes: 1,493 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
2020
See also: Hawaii House of Representatives elections, 2020
General election
General election for Hawaii House of Representatives District 47
Incumbent Sean Quinlan defeated Boyd Ready in the general election for Hawaii House of Representatives District 47 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Sean Quinlan (D) | 57.5 | 5,425 |
 | Boyd Ready (R) | 42.5 | 4,007 | |
| Total votes: 9,432 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Hawaii House of Representatives District 47
Incumbent Sean Quinlan advanced from the Democratic primary for Hawaii House of Representatives District 47 on August 8, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Sean Quinlan | 100.0 | 2,153 |
| Total votes: 2,153 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Hawaii House of Representatives District 47
Boyd Ready advanced from the Republican primary for Hawaii House of Representatives District 47 on August 8, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Boyd Ready | 100.0 | 941 |
| Total votes: 941 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
2018
See also: Hawaii House of Representatives elections, 2018
General election
General election for Hawaii House of Representatives District 47
Incumbent Sean Quinlan defeated Richard Fale in the general election for Hawaii House of Representatives District 47 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Sean Quinlan (D) | 58.5 | 3,792 |
 | Richard Fale (R) | 41.5 | 2,690 | |
| Total votes: 6,482 (100.00% precincts reporting) | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Hawaii House of Representatives District 47
Incumbent Sean Quinlan advanced from the Democratic primary for Hawaii House of Representatives District 47 on August 11, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Sean Quinlan | 100.0 | 2,314 |
| Total votes: 2,314 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Hawaii House of Representatives District 47
Richard Fale defeated Boyd Ready in the Republican primary for Hawaii House of Representatives District 47 on August 11, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Richard Fale | 58.6 | 644 |
| Boyd Ready | 41.4 | 455 | |
| Total votes: 1,099 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
2016
Elections for the Hawaii House of Representatives 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.
Sean Quinlan defeated incumbent Feki Pouha in the Hawaii House of Representatives District 47 general election.[4]
| Hawaii House of Representatives, District 47 General Election, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic |  Sean Quinlan |
50.77% | 3,542 | |
| Republican | Feki Pouha Incumbent | 49.23% | 3,434 | |
| Total Votes | 6,976 | |||
| Source: State of Hawaii - Office of Elections | ||||
Sean Quinlan ran unopposed in the Hawaii House of Representatives District 47 Democratic primary.[5][6]
| Hawaii House of Representatives, District 47 Democratic Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Democratic | Sean Quinlan (unopposed) | |
Incumbent Feki Pouha defeated Toagaifasa Mataafa in the Hawaii House of Representatives District 47 Republican primary.[5][6]
| Hawaii House of Representatives, District 47 Republican Primary, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | Feki Pouha Incumbent |
62.56% | 757 | |
| Republican | Toagaifasa Mataafa | 37.44% | 453 | |
| Total Votes | 1,210 | |||
Campaign themes
2024
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Sean Quinlan did not complete Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey.
2022
Sean Quinlan did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.
2020
Sean Quinlan did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.
2016
Quinlan's campaign website highlighted the following issues:[7]
Infrastructure and roads
- Excerpt: "It's far past time to address our worsening traffic problem by building the Laniakea "wiggle road," or failing that reverting to some form of barrier system."
Jobs
- Excerpt: "It is imperative that we act to incentivize and encourage the success of local businesses and small farmers, such as bills that allow the selling of "value added" products at farm stands."
Affordable housing
- Excerpt: "A long term affordable housing plan focused on the specific needs and culture of Hawaii is key to providing housing, while still preserving open spaces and farmland."
Environment
- Excerpt: "We need to armor our coastline to protect our highway and prevent erosion, carefully consider the impact of development, and concentrate on restoring our native forests and protecting our unique plants and animals, which are essential to leaving a better Hawai'i for our keiki."
Cost of living
- Excerpt: "Lowering taxes for the middle class, while collecting a fair contribution from non-resident property owners and foreign real estate investors is a good start."
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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See also
2024 Elections
External links
|
Candidate Hawaii House of Representatives District 47 |
Officeholder Hawaii House of Representatives District 47 |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ Maui Now, "State House announces new leadership team, first female House speaker in Hawaiʻi history," November 8, 2024
- ↑ Vote Smart, "Sean Quinlan's Biography," accessed October 25, 2019
- ↑ Sean Quinlan 2020 campaign website, "About," accessed March 16, 2021
- ↑ State of Hawaii, "General Election 2016 - State of Hawaii – Statewide November 8, 2016," accessed November 23, 2016
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 State of Hawaii, "2016 Candidate Report," accessed June 10, 2016
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Hawaii.gov, "Primary Election results," accessed September 12, 2016
- ↑ Sean Quinlan 47, "The issues," accessed October 5, 2016
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Feki Pouha (R) |
Hawaii House of Representatives District 47 2016-Present |
Succeeded by - |
