Ed Case wins Hawaii primary by wide margin, clearing path to November
U.S. Rep. Ed Case has all but locked up another term in Congress after cruising to victory in Saturday’s Democratic primary in Hawaii, with early
U.S. Rep. Ed Case has all but locked up another term in Congress after cruising to victory in Saturday’s Democratic primary in Hawaii, with early returns showing him far ahead of his rivals. The Honolulu incumbent was leading state Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole 60% to 35% in the first results, a margin that effectively settled the race.
Case, who is seeking a third consecutive term representing Hawaii’s 1st Congressional District, faced four challengers in the primary. Keohokalole was the main threat. The other candidates — Jennifer Booker, Nick Kiswanto and Ben Fatula — split the rest.
Keohokalole conceded on Saturday evening. He told Aloha State Daily that he “doesn’t like losing,” but said he planned to stay focused on his work in the state Senate. Short night. Clear result.
A safely Democratic seat
The result sends Case into the Nov. 3 general election, where he will face Republican Adriel C. Lam. The district, centered on urban Honolulu, is widely seen as safely Democratic, which makes the primary the real contest in this race.
That dynamic has helped turn Hawaii into a test of sorts for Democratic incumbents facing younger, more left-leaning challengers. Reuters reported this week that Case argued losing the seat could mean less federal money for Hawaii. He also pointed to seniority as a practical advantage in Washington.
“In Congress seniority matters,” Case said in comments cited by Hawaii Public Radio. “The more you’re here, the mor…”
What the race said
Keohokalole, a 12-year veteran of the state Legislature, cast his challenge as a push for urgency on inflation, the Iran war and threats to democracy. Case, 73, countered that experience matters when Hawaii wants results, not just energy.
The contest fit a broader 2026 pattern. Across the mainland, safe-seat House Democrats have faced unusually sharp primary fights, with progressives pressing older incumbents in several states. Michigan delivered one such example this week, while analysts have described the cycle as rough for entrenched House Democrats.
In Hawaii, though, the numbers were blunt. Case held a commanding lead from the first count and never looked in trouble. His campaign now turns to November, where the seat’s partisan lean gives him a strong advantage — and where the focus shifts from the primary fight to turnout.
