Governor Josh Green won Hawaii’s Democratic nomination with 89.6% of the vote in the state’s primary election on August 8, securing his path to a second term in one of the nation’s most reliably Democratic states.
Green defeated three little-known Democratic challengers: Duke Bourgoin, George Lucas-Tadeo, and Lauren Kapoliahi’iaka Shim. None of his opponents reported raising or spending significant money on the race, according to Civil Beat, while Green raised nearly $3.5 million.
The result represents a dramatic shift from Green’s first gubernatorial primary in 2022, when he won with 62.9% of the vote against well-known opponents including U.S. Representative Kaiali’i Kahele and former first lady Vicky Cayetano. This year’s commanding margin reflects Green’s popularity with Hawaii voters since taking office in late 2022.
Green’s high approval ratings appear to have discouraged major challengers from mounting serious campaigns. A Cook Political Report analysis noted that with a 56% approval rating and broad respect for his handling of the 2023 Lahaina wildfire and 2024 flooding, all signs pointed to Green handily winning a second term. Civil Beat reported that polling showed Green had consistently maintained approval ratings well above 60% since becoming governor.
Political strategist Chuck Freedman told Civil Beat that potential challengers had sized up Green’s financial resources and concluded “it’s going to be very hard because he has so much money.” Freedman added that the lack of competitive races in Hawaii this year may depress overall voter turnout, as exciting and hard-fought campaigns are what typically motivate voters to participate.
Green will advance to the November general election in Hawaii, where Democrats have won all statewide races for nearly two decades. The Republican primary saw Gary Cordery defeat Ken Fujiyama with 74% of the vote, according to the Washington Post. Other state primary elections took place the same day, with gubernatorial primaries in other states also drawing significant voter interest.
Sources
- Washington Post — confirmed Green’s 89.6% vote share and final Democratic primary results
- Honolulu Civil Beat — detailed opposition candidates’ lack of fundraising, Green’s campaign spending, and political context around weak primary challenge
- Fox News — reported on Green’s dominance and the little-known nature of his opponents
- Cook Political Report — provided Green’s 56% approval rating and analysis of his reelection prospects
- Ballotpedia — confirmed Green’s 2022 primary performance with 62.9% of the vote
