US Representative Ed Case won the Hawaii Democratic primary for his congressional seat, capturing 57 percent of the vote against progressive challenger state Senator Jarrett Keohokalole, who received 34 percent. Case, a 73-year-old centrist Democrat, has represented the district since 2019 and previously served in the House from 2002 to 2007. He is now positioned to face Republican nominee Adriel Lam in the general election this November.
The primary contest reflected broader divisions within the Democratic Party between incumbent politicians and younger, more progressive challengers. Keohokalole, age 43, criticized Case for accepting corporate campaign contributions, arguing the incumbent had become disconnected from constituents. Progressive Democrats also objected to Case’s support for President Donald Trump’s Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, contending the legislation weakens voting rights protections. Three additional candidates competed for the safely Democratic Honolulu seat.
Case countered these challenges by emphasizing his seniority on a key spending committee in the House, contending that Hawaii would lose federal funding if voters chose not to re-elect him. Despite the push from progressive candidates, his victory reflects continued support among primary voters in the district. His win stands in contrast to gains made by left-wing candidates in other states including Colorado, Kentucky, and New York.
Elsewhere in Hawaii, US Representative Jill Tokuda secured an easy Democratic primary victory with 84 percent of the vote in the state’s other congressional district. Governor Josh Green, who has served in that office since 2022, also defeated multiple challengers in the Democratic primary race for governor.
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