Hawaii Democrats tap Kai Kahele for Tulsi Gabbard's House seat

Hawaii state Sen. Kai Kahele is favored to be going to Congress after winning Saturday’s Democratic primary to succeed Rep. Tulsi Gabbard in the deep-blue 2nd District.

Kahale, an airline pilot and combat veteran who spent the weeks before the primary deployed with the Hawaii National Guard, was leading a four-candidate field with 77 percent of the vote with 68 percent of precincts counted. The Associated Press called the race at 7:22 p.m. Hawaii time. Brian Evans was in second with 9 percent.

The election was held by mail.

Kahele will face Republican Joe Akana, a business development consultant.

At: https://www.rollcall.com/2020/08/09/hawaii-democrats-tap-kai-kahele-for-tulsi-gabbards-house-seat/

Hawaii State Sen. Kai Kahele, who won the Democratic primary Saturday for the open 2nd District House seat.

The seat is currently occupied by Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, who opted out of running for re-election amid mounting disapproval from fellow Democrats.