A friend’s comment this morning pretty much sums up my feeling about the local elections.
He said simply: “This is the most boring election ever in Hawaii!”
It seems to me that the August primary just drained almost all the interest and energy out of the general election, and the results reflected the dominance of things as they are. Perhaps I’m just getting older and jaded, but the election stats seem to support this view.
Here’a a link to the statewide summary of votes.
Above all, Hawaii remains a safe Democratic stronghold, as a quick scan of the results shows.
In a sign of the continuing status quo, it apepars the Republican presence in the State Senate is a lonely caucus of one.
In the House, it’s only marginally different.
The lack of excitment shows in the low voter turnout.
Statewide, Republican voters appear to represent from 25-30% of the those casting ballots, although in the few districts where GOP candidates won, they appeared to draw votes beyond the party base.
If Democrats retain their majority in the U.S. Senate, Hawaii’s Senator Brian Schatz will be in a position to continue to accrue both seniority and influence, from which the state will benefit.
And after the unfortunate Congressional careers of Tulsi Gabbard and Kai Kahele, Jill Tokuda’s election to represent the 2nd Congressional District strikes a high note!
Although it was mostly yawns in local races, I’m sure that I’m far from alone in nervously following the results in hotly contested Senate races on the mainland which will have a huge impact on our next few years.
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Hawaii voter enthusiasm could really benefit from implementing an instant runoff voting process like the one Alaska has adopted.
The one paraphrased comment from a nat’l independent journalist which ditto’s my sense — no matter party, “citizens all, do not expect relief.”
As long as Congress supports the military complex’s extractive war policy narrative “enemies-under-every-rock” the economy will fall into recession. The less well off will suffer first, and those with some means will slowly have their assets control taken from them. It’s all in plain view as we write.
Kudo’s to Matt Lopresti for doing more to elect Republicans, than the entire Republican Party, it’s Chair Lynn Finnegan and Right Winger Eric Ryan, Qanon and Ultra MAGA combined.
Your escapades have given Republicans our only State Senator via Matt’s removal of Senator Favela’s Campaign brochure, from an Ewa residence with Door Cam and all those wild fundraiser cocktails parties, that led Rep. Sharon Har down a One Way Street in the opposite direction. Your efforts have saved the razor slim Minority in the State Legislature.
Again, enormous thanks to Rep. Matt Lopresti. Conservatives Sincerely Bestow the Elephant’e Award 2022. First Runner up Rep. Sharon Har. You both are the life of the Grand Old Party. Bright futures as Lobbyists and Rave Concert Promoters, rivaling former Rep. Riki May Amano. More importantly drive safely with Aloha.