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By Amanda Greenwood
Associate News Editor
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U.S. Representative Ed Case of Hawaii defeated progressive state Senator Jarrett Keohokalole in the Democratic primary on Saturday, fending off his toughest challenge in years and delivering a victory for the party's establishment amid a nationwide wave of incumbent defeats.
Case, a 73-year-old moderate representing Hawaii's 1st Congressional District, secured renomination following a campaign that served as a proxy battle between the centrist and progressive wings of the Democratic Party. Keohokalole, 43, had argued that Hawaii required a new generation of leadership, frequently challenging Case's record on immigration and election policy.
According to results from Decision Desk HQ, Case captured approximately 60 percent of the vote, while Keohokalole received about 36 percent. The remaining votes were divided among other candidates on the ballot.
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Newsweek has reached out to the Hawaii Democratic Party, via email, about the primary results and what they indicate about the party's position heading into the November general election.
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Why the Race Drew National Attention
Saturday's primary was the latest in a series of contests this cycle featuring progressive challengers targeting long-serving House Democrats, fueling broader debates over the party's future leadership and direction.
Keohokalole ran on a platform of generational renewal, calling for more aggressive action on affordability, healthcare, and national policy issues. He criticized Case for votes that alienated progressives, including his support for President Donald Trump's Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, and argued that the current political landscape demands a younger, more confrontational approach.
Case told Hawaii Public Radio last month that the version of the SAVE Act he voted for provided accommodations for voters who don't present the required documentation, including signing a written attestation of their citizenship. He has voted against subsequent versions of the bill that didn't provide those accommodations.
The incumbent defended his record throughout the campaign, arguing that seniority and experience remain valuable in Congress. He pointed to his work securing federal assistance for Hawaii during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Red Hill water crisis and the deadly Maui wildfires.
Full List of Major Hawaii Primary Winners
Several other high-profile contests were decided in Hawaii's primary elections Saturday night.
Governor
- Democratic nominee: Governor Josh Green won renomination with approximately 83 percent of the vote.
- Republican nominee: Gary Cordery won the GOP gubernatorial primary.
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Lieutenant Governor
- Democratic nominee: Derek Kawakami won the nomination for lieutenant governor.
- Republican nominee: Daniel Anthony won the nomination for lieutenant governor.
U.S. House District 1
- Democratic nominee: Case defeated Keohokalole and other challengers.
- Republican nominee: Adriel Lam advanced after running unopposed.
U.S. House District 2
- Democratic nominee: Representative Jill Tokuda cruised to victory, winning more than 84 percent of the vote against three primary challengers.
- Republican nominee: State Senator Brenton Awa advanced after running unopposed.
One of the night's most notable state legislative results came in Hawaii Senate District 10, where state Representative Jackson Sayama defeated incumbent state Senator Les Ihara Jr., holding a lead of nearly 30 percentage points in the reported primary results.
What Are Ed Case's Chances in November?
Despite the primary challenge, Case enters the general election as a strong favorite.
Hawaii's 1st Congressional District, which includes Honolulu and much of urban Oahu, is considered a reliably Democratic seat. Fox News noted that the Cook Political Report rates the district D+13, highlighting the significant partisan advantage Democrats enjoy there.
Prediction market Polymarket, as of Sunday morning, gives the Democratic Party about a 95 percent chance of holding the seat, compared with roughly 6 percent for Republicans. While the market tracks parties rather than individual candidates, Case is now the Democratic nominee and would benefit from those odds.
Contact Newsweek editors for this story: Matthew Robinson and Anthony Murray.
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