Lt. Gov. Green Wins Hawaii Democratic Gubernatorial Nomination
Hawaii's Lt. Gov. Josh Green, a Democrat who served in the Hawaii state legislature from 2004-2018, will face Republican Duke Aiona in the general election for Hawaii's governor, as both party's favorites moved past the primary stage.
Facts
- Hawaii's Lt. Gov. Josh Green, a Democrat who served in the Hawaii state legislature from 2004-2018, will face Republican Duke Aiona in the general election for Hawaii's governor, as both party's favorites moved past the primary stage.
- As of Sun. morning, Green had obtained 63.7% of the vote, with former Hawaii first lady Vicky Cayetano and Rep. Kai Kahele with 21.4% and 13.7%, respectively.
- Green has served as Lt. Governor for the last four years. Current projections favor him to win in the general election.
- His general election contender, Duke Aiona, who defeated B.J. Penn in the Republican Primary, said his supporters trusted his ability "to lead the state."
- Green stood for election as incumbent Gov. David Ige is ineligible for re-election after reaching his two-term limit. Hawaii is a vote-by-mail state and votes have been placed since late July, with many voters citing rising housing costs as a top issue.
- To combat the housing price issue - with the median single-family home price topping $1M during the pandemic - Green said he'd sign an executive order to eliminate red tape, streamline construction approvals, and enforce existing laws on illegal vacation homes.
Sources: Politico, CNN Associated Press, CBS, and Hawaii Public Radio.
Narratives
- Democratic narrative, as provided by Hawaii News Now. At a pivotal time in the state's history, where pandemic recovery and increases in the cost of living and affordable housing are near emergencies, Hawaii's Democrats have clearly placed their faith in Green, who has clear policy solutions to lead Hawaii through turbulent times.
- Republican narrative, as provided by Civil Beat. Hawaii's Republican candidates should not be dismissed - in this deeply liberal state, many GOP members are pro-choice and support gay marriage and gun control. It's vital that the Aloha State has a healthy two-party system, and Aiona offers voters an alternative to the entrenched Democratic establishment to battle the state's pandemic and economic crises.
