Rep. Ed Case defeats progressive rival in Hawaii Democratic House primary
Rep. Ed Case (D-HI) successfully secured his party’s nomination for reelection by defeating a younger progressive challenger, Hawaii state Sen. jarrett Keohokalole, in the Democratic primary. Case, a centrist Democrat, received 60% of the votes compared to Keohokalole’s 36%. His victory defied recent trends of progressive challengers unseating established Democrats. case emphasized his experience and seniority as vital for effective depiction, citing his leadership during crises like COVID-19, wildfires, and other emergencies. Although criticized by progressives for supporting the initial version of the SAVE america Act-legislation requiring proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote-he later opposed it after key provisions were amended. Keohokalole accused Case of pandering to Trump, citing his previous support for election-related legislation. Case highlighted his independence, asserting he doesn’t always follow party lines and has received endorsements from groups like Planned Parenthood and labor unions.He will face Republican Adriel Lam in the November election for Hawaii’s 1st Congressional District.
Rep. Ed Case (D-HI) secured his party’s nomination for reelection after successfully defending his House seat from a younger progressive challenger in Hawaii’s Democratic primary election on Saturday.
Case, widely considered a centrist Democrat, ran against Hawaii state Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole. With over 90% of the election results in by Sunday morning, the 73-year-old incumbent received 60% of the votes compared to the 43-year-old challenger’s 36%.
Recommended Stories
The incumbent’s victory bucked the recent trend of left-wing challengers unseating established Democrats in Congress.
The primary race represented a challenge to the old guard, with the progressive candidate calling for a “new generation” of leaders as the incumbent congressman seeks another term.
While his seniority was seen as a negative by his primary opponent, Case argued his experience makes him right for the role.
“You can argue it all you want, but in Congress seniority matters,” he said in an interview with Hawaii Public Radio last month.
“The more you’re here, the more influence you have, the more relationships you have, the more know-how you have, the more experience you have to get things done — as I did in three crises in a row,” he added, referencing his actions over the past six years to secure aid for his state during the COVID-19 pandemic and the Red Hill and Maui wildfires.
Case was also criticized by the progressive Left for his vote in favor of an earlier version of the SAVE America Act, an election-integrity measure requiring documentary proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote in federal elections. He later shifted his stance on the Trump-backed legislation when it was amended to remove a provision that allowed voters without citizenship documentation to attest in writing that they are U.S. citizens in Hawaii.
The House Democrat felt the provision’s removal would not protect eligible voters without documentation, which is why he now opposes the legislation. In Hawaii, falsely attesting to U.S. citizenship on a voter registration form is a felony.
Keohokalole pointed to Case’s past support of the bill to argue that the incumbent was only doing President Donald Trump’s bidding.
“I think appeasing Trump, when he’s taking away the right to vote, one of the foundational freedoms in this country, is the wrong thing to do,” Keohokalole said, according to Hawaii News Now.
Meanwhile, Case made the point that he will never be siding with his party on every vote.
“First of all, I’m not a 100% voter with my party. Never have been, never will be,” Case said.
UNDER-THE-RADAR PRIMARY RACES YOU SHOULD BE FOLLOWING THREE MONTHS UNTIL MIDTERM ELECTIONS
Ahead of the primary, Case received endorsements from key groups like the Planned Parenthood Action Fund and the American Federation of Government Employees. Keohokalole was endorsed by numerous labor unions in the state and progressive organizations, such as Our Revolution, which was founded by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) in 2016.
Case will face Republican nominee Adriel Lam in November to determine who will represent Hawaii’s 1st Congressional District in the next congressional session. Lam ran unopposed in the GOP primary.
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
