William Espero

William Espero (Democratic Party) was a member of the Hawaii State Senate, representing District 19. Espero assumed office in 2002. Espero left office in 2018.

Espero ran for election to the Honolulu City Council to represent District 9 in Hawaii. Espero lost in the general election on November 3, 2020.

Espero resigned effective June 21, 2018, to run for the lieutenant governor's seat.^[1] He served as Senate majority floor leader from 2013 to 2014.

Espero was a Democratic candidate for the United States House of Representatives in the 2014 elections. He ran in the 1st Congressional District of Hawaii.^[2]^[3]^[4] He was defeated by Mark Takai in the Democratic primary on August 9, 2014.^[5]

Espero served in the Hawaii House of Representatives from 1999 to 2002.

Biography

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Espero earned his B.A. in business management from Seattle University in 1982.

Espero professional experience includes working as executive secretary for the city and county of Honolulu Neighborhood Commission from 1987 to 1994, operations coordinator for the Coalition for a Drug Free Hawaii in 1995, property manager for Chaney, Brooks and Company from 1995 to 1996, general manager of Ewa by Gentry Community Association from 1996 to 2000 and community relations manager for D.R. Horton - Schuler Division from 2005 to 2007.

Committee assignments

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
• Education
• Higher Education
• Housing, Chair

2015 legislative session

At the beginning of the 2015 legislative session, Espero served on the following committees:

Hawaii committee assignments, 2015
• Economic Development and Technology
• Judiciary and Labor
• Public Safety, Intergovernmental and Military Affairs, Chair
• Transportation

2013-2014

At the beginning of the 2013 legislative session, Espero served on the following committees:

Hawaii committee assignments, 2013
• Public Safety, Intergovernmental and Military Affairs, Chair
• Transportation and International Affairs
• Ways and Means

2011-2012

In the 2011-2012 legislative session, Espero served on these committees:

Hawaii committee assignments, 2011
• Public Safety, Government Operations, and Military Affairs, Chair
• Transportation and International Affairs, Vice Chair
• Ways and Means

2009-2010

In the 2009-2010 legislative session, Espero served on these committees:

Hawaii committee assignments, 2009
• Commerce and Consumer Protection
• Health
• Public Safety and Military Affairs
• Transportation, International and Intergovernmental Affairs

Elections

2020

General election

General election for Honolulu City Council District 9

Augusto Tulba defeated William Espero in the general election for Honolulu City Council District 9 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Augusto Tulba (Nonpartisan)	51.9	21,265
		William Espero (Nonpartisan)	48.1	19,702

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 40,967
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for Honolulu City Council District 9

William Espero and Augusto Tulba defeated Earl Tsuneyoshi in the primary for Honolulu City Council District 9 on August 8, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		William Espero (Nonpartisan)	39.7	10,621
✔	Submit photo	Augusto Tulba (Nonpartisan)	36.7	9,812
	Submit photo	Earl Tsuneyoshi (Nonpartisan)	23.7	6,332

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 26,765
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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2018

See also: Hawaii gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2018

General election

General election for Lieutenant Governor of Hawaii

Joshua Green defeated Marissa Kerns, Renee Ing, and Paul Robotti in the general election for Lieutenant Governor of Hawaii on November 6, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Joshua Green (D)	62.7	244,934
		Marissa Kerns (R)	33.7	131,719
	Submit photo	Renee Ing (G)	2.6	10,123
		Paul Robotti (Nonpartisan)	1.0	4,067

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 390,843
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Lieutenant Governor of Hawaii

Joshua Green defeated Jill Tokuda, Bernard Carvalho, Kim Coco Iwamoto, and William Espero in the Democratic primary for Lieutenant Governor of Hawaii on August 11, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Joshua Green	31.4	74,845
		Jill Tokuda	28.6	68,124
	Submit photo	Bernard Carvalho	19.2	45,825
		Kim Coco Iwamoto	14.4	34,243
		William Espero	6.5	15,463

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 238,500
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for Lieutenant Governor of Hawaii

Marissa Kerns defeated Steve Lipscomb and Jeremy Low in the Republican primary for Lieutenant Governor of Hawaii on August 11, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Marissa Kerns	35.4	9,758
	Submit photo	Steve Lipscomb	34.7	9,543
	Submit photo	Jeremy Low	29.9	8,232

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 27,533
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for Lieutenant Governor of Hawaii

Paul Robotti defeated Ernest Magaoay in the primary for Lieutenant Governor of Hawaii on August 11, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Paul Robotti	50.6	536
	Submit photo	Ernest Magaoay	49.4	523

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 1,059
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Green primary election

Green primary for Lieutenant Governor of Hawaii

Renee Ing advanced from the Green primary for Lieutenant Governor of Hawaii on August 11, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Renee Ing	100.0	444

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 444
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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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 William Espero defeated Kurt Fevella in the Hawaii State Senate District 19 general election.^[6]

Hawaii State Senate, District 19 General Election, 2016
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	William Espero Incumbent	61.60%	7,880
	Republican	Kurt Fevella	38.40%	4,912
Total Votes				12,792
Source: State of Hawaii - Office of Elections

Incumbent William Espero ran unopposed in the Hawaii State Senate District 19 Democratic primary.^[7]^[8]

Hawaii State Senate, District 19 Democratic Primary, 2016
Party		Candidate
	Democratic	William Espero Incumbent (unopposed)

Kurt Fevella defeated Chris Fidelibus in the Hawaii State Senate District 19 Republican primary.^[7]^[8]

Hawaii State Senate, District 19 Republican Primary, 2016
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Kurt Fevella	60.34%	989
	Republican	Chris Fidelibus	39.66%	650
Total Votes				1,639

2014

See also: United States House of Representatives elections in Hawaii, 2014

Espero ran for election to the U.S. House, representing the 1st Congressional District of Hawaii.^[9]^[10]^[11] He was defeated by Mark Takai in the Democratic primary on August 9, 2014.^[5]

**U.S. House, Hawaii District 1 Democratic Primary, 2014**
Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Mark Takai	44.5%	52,736
Donna Kim	28.4%	33,678
Stanley Chang	10.2%	12,135
Ikaika Anderson	6.7%	7,937
Will Espero	3.8%	4,555
Joey Manahan	3.8%	4,495
Kathryn Xian	2.6%	3,039
Total Votes		118,575
Source: Hawaii Office of Elections

2012

See also: Hawaii State Senate elections, 2012

Espero won re-election in the 2012 election for Hawaii State Senate District 19. Espero defeated Roger Lacuesta in the August 11 Democratic primary and ran unopposed in the general election, which took place on November 6, 2012.^[12]^[13]

**Hawaii State Senate, District 19 Democratic Primary, 2012**
Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Will Espero Incumbent	81.4%	4,449
Roger Lacuesta	18.6%	1,018
Total Votes		5,467

2010

See also: Hawaii State Senate elections, 2010

Espero won re-election to the 20th District seat in 2010. He defeated Celeste Lacuesta and Sam Puletasi in the September 18 primary. Espero defeated Anel Montes (R) in the general election on November 2, 2010.^[14]

Hawaii State Senate, District 20 2010 General election results
Candidates	Votes	Percent
William Espero (D)	7,863	59.5%
Anel Montes (R)	4,814	36.4%

2006

On November 7, 2006, Espero won re-election to the Hawaii State Senate from Hawaii's 20th Senate District. Espero received 6,316 votes, defeating Jeff Alexander (R), who received 3,789 votes. Additionally, 269 "Blank" votes and 3 "Other" votes were cast in the election.^[15] Espero raised $40,375 for his campaign; Alexander raised $20,425.^[16]

Hawaii State Senate, District 20 (2006)
Candidates	Votes	Percent
William Espero (D)	6,316	60.9%
Jeff Alexander (R)	3,789	36.5%
Blank	269	2.6%
Over	3	0.0%

Campaign themes

2020

Ballotpedia survey responses

William Espero did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.

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.

William Espero campaign contribution history
Year	Office	Status	Contributions	Expenditures
2016	Hawaii State Senate, District 19	Won	$80,760	N/A**
2012	Hawaii State Senate, District 19	Won	$36,210	N/A**
2010	Hawaii State Senate, District 20	Won	$58,622	N/A**
2006	Hawaii State Senate, District 20	Won	$40,375	N/A**
2002	Hawaii State Senate, District 20	Won	$31,914	N/A**
2000	Hawaii State House, District 41	Won	$15,085	N/A**
** Data on expenditures is not available for this election cycle
Note: Totals above reflect only available data.

Scorecards

See also: State legislative scorecards and State legislative scorecards in Hawaii

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.

2018

In 2018, the Hawaii State Legislature was in session from January 17 through May 3.

Koho Pono

Legislators are scored on their votes on issues related to Hawaiian interests.

The American Conservative Union

Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2017

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2017, click [show].

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.

Koho Pono

Legislators are scored on their votes on issues related to Hawaiian interests.

Sierra Club of Hawaii

Legislators are scored on their votes on environmental issues.

The American Conservative Union

Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2016

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2016, click [show].

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.

Hawaii Family Advocates

Legislators' votes on bills related to social issues.

The American Conservative Union

Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2015

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2015, click [show].

In 2015, the Hawaii State Legislature was in session from January 21 through May 7.

The American Conservative Union

Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2014

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2014, click [show].

In 2014, the Hawaii State Legislature was in session from January 15 through May 2.

Paychecks Hawaii

Legislators are scored by Paychecks Hawaii on their "support and advocacy for small business and an improved business climate."^[17]

Hawaii Republican Party

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills highlighted by the organization.

The American Conservative Union

Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2013

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2013, click [show].

In 2013, the Hawaii State Legislature was in session from January 16 to May 3.

Paychecks Hawaii

Legislators are scored on their "support and advocacy for small business and an improved business climate."^[18]

External links

Search Google News for this topic
Profile from Open States
Legislative profile on Vote Smart
Biography from Project Vote Smart
Campaign Contributions: 2012, 2010, 2008, 2006, 2004, 2002, 2000

Footnotes

Political offices
Preceded by Mike Gabbard (D)	Hawaii State Senate District 19 2012–2018	Succeeded by Jon Yoshimura (D)
Preceded by -	Hawaii State Senate District 20 2002–2012	Succeeded by Mike Gabbard (D)

[1] Hawaii News Now, "Sen. Will Espero officially resigns from Hawaii Legislature," May 31, 2018

[2] 2013/07/21/state-sen-will-espero-enters-congressional-race/ KHON " State Sen. Will Espero enters Congressional race" accessed July 25, 2013

[3] Honolulu Civil Beat, "Yep, Will Espero Wants to Go to Congress" accessed July 25, 2013

[4] Hawaii News Now, "Espero enters race to replace Hanabusa in Congress" accessed July 25, 2013

[demprim-5] 5.0 ^5.1 Associated Press, "Hawaii Primary Results," accessed August 10, 2014

[gresults16-6] State of Hawaii, "General Election 2016 - State of Hawaii – Statewide November 8, 2016," accessed November 23, 2016

[plist16-7] 7.0 ^7.1 State of Hawaii, "2016 Candidate Report," accessed June 10, 2016

[presults16-8] 8.0 ^8.1 Hawaii.gov, "Primary Election results," accessed September 12, 2016

[9] 2013/07/21/state-sen-will-espero-enters-congressional-race/ KHON " State Sen. Will Espero enters Congressional race" accessed July 25, 2013

[10] Honolulu Civil Beat, "Yep, Will Espero Wants to Go to Congress" accessed July 25, 2013

[11] Hawaii News Now, "Espero enters race to replace Hanabusa in Congress" accessed July 25, 2013

[12] civilbeat.com, " Unofficial 2012 Primary election candidate list," accessed March 24, 2014

[13] Hawaii Secretary of State, "Official 2012 Primary election results," accessed March 24, 2014

[14] Hawaii Secretary of State, "Official 2010 General election results," accessed December 13, 2013

[15] Hawaii Secretary of State, "Official 2006 General election results," accessed March 24, 2014

[16] Follow The Money, "Campaign funds," accessed March 24, 2014

[17] Paychecks Hawaii, "PAYCHECKS HAWAII Ratings of the 2013 Hawaii State Legislature," accessed July 11, 2017

[18] Paychecks Hawaii, "PAYCHECKS HAWAII Ratings of the 2013 Hawaii State Legislature," accessed July 11, 2017

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William Espero

Biography

Committee assignments

2017 legislative session

2015 legislative session

2013-2014

2011-2012

2009-2010

Sponsored legislation

Elections

2020

General election

General election for Honolulu City Council District 9

Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for Honolulu City Council District 9

2018

General election

General election for Lieutenant Governor of Hawaii

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Lieutenant Governor of Hawaii

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Lieutenant Governor of Hawaii

Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for Lieutenant Governor of Hawaii

Green primary election

Green primary for Lieutenant Governor of Hawaii

2016

2014

2012

2010

2006

Campaign themes

2020

Ballotpedia survey responses

Campaign finance summary

Scorecards

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

See also

External links

Footnotes

Information about voting

2025 Elections

2026 Elections

2024 Election analysis

Trending

Public Policy

Information for candidates

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Services

Additional analysis

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