By OSKAR GARCIA By OSKAR GARCIA ADVERTISING Associated Press HONOLULU — U.S. Rep. Mazie Hirono won the Democratic primary in Hawaii for an open U.S. Senate seat on Saturday night, setting up a race in November against former Hawaii Gov.
By OSKAR GARCIA
Associated Press
HONOLULU — U.S. Rep. Mazie Hirono won the Democratic primary in Hawaii for an open U.S. Senate seat on Saturday night, setting up a race in November against former Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle, who won her primary easily.
Hirono bested former U.S. Rep. Ed Case on Saturday night to set up a rematch of sorts against Lingle, who beat Hirono 10 years ago to become Hawaii’s chief executive, then went on to serve eight years.
Lingle had nearly 92 percent of the vote with 70 percent of precincts reporting. Republicans hope she can swing the solidly blue state their way in the party’s quest to pick up four seats and win majority power in the U.S. Senate.
Lingle enters the general election as an underdog but having raised more funds thus far than Hirono and Case combined.
Hirono had nearly 58 percent of the vote with 70 percent of precincts reporting compared with 41 percent for Case.
“It’s hard not to get emotional, you guys,” Hirono told supporters after Case conceded the race.
Despite a clear fundraising advantage, Hirono didn’t treat her primary win like a foregone conclusion in the days leading up to the race. Case had positioned himself as more moderate than Hirono, saying her liberal politics would make things tough in the general election against Lingle.
Lingle said in an interview that the race now presents a clear choice — and Hirono doesn’t understand that the race is about the people of Hawaii and their future.
“She wants to tie this race to President (Barack) Obama,” Lingle said. “I’m not going to be a rubber stamp for anybody.”
To her supporters, Hirono said Lingle represents Republicans coming closer to taking over the Senate, repealing Obama’s health care overhaul and cutting taxes for the rich at the expense of working-class families.
“I say to Linda Lingle tonight — let’s go,” Hirono said.
The last time Hawaii had a Senate race without an incumbent was in 1976. Whoever wins the race to replace retiring Sen. Daniel Akaka will become the state’s sixth senator.
Winning could be difficult for Lingle, given that Obama, who was born in Honolulu, is at the top of the ticket as he runs for re-election against Mitt Romney. But about one-third of voters in Hawaii are independents, ensuring Saturday’s primary winners an interesting electorate.
Honolulu City Councilwoman Tulsi Gabbard has won the Democratic nomination for Hawaii’s 2nd Congressional District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Gabbard and former Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann were the best-known Democrats vying for the seat representing suburban and rural Oahu, along with neighbor islands. Political observers have said Saturday’s primary will likely determine the race, despite a field that includes two Republicans.
Gabbard is a captain in the Army National Guard who served two Middle East tours. She received nearly 55 percent of the votes with 86 percent of precincts reporting, compared with 35 percent for Hannemann.
Hannemann was mayor for six years before resigning in 2010 to wage an unsuccessful bid for governor.
Democrat Colleen Hanabusa, and GOP contender Charles Djou won their primaries for U.S. House in Hawaii’s 1st Congressional District.
, covering urban Honolulu.
