United States Senate election in Hawaii, 2016

United States Senate election in Hawaii, 2016

November 8, 2016

Party Democratic Republican

U.S. Senator before election Brian Schatz Democratic Elected U.S. Senator

The 2016 United States Senate election in Hawaii will take place on November 8, 2016, concurrently with the 2016 U.S. presidential election as well as other elections to the United States Senate and House of Representatives and various state and local elections.

Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Brian Schatz is running for re-election to his first full term in office.

Background

In 2011, Daniel Inouye announced that he planned to run for a record tenth term in 2016, when he would have been 92 years old.^[1][2] He also said, "I have told my staff and I have told my family that when the time comes, when you question my sanity or question my ability to do things physically or mentally, I don't want you to hesitate, do everything to get me out of here, because I want to make certain the people of Hawaii get the best representation possible."^[3]

Inouye died on December 17, 2012.^[4] Hawaii Governor Neil Abercrombie appointed Lieutenant Governor Brian Schatz, a Democrat, to succeed Inouye. Schatz won a 2014 special election to serve the remainder of Inouye's term.^[5]

Democratic Primary

Candidates

Declared

• Brian Schatz, incumbent Senator^[5]

Potential

• Colleen Hanabusa, former U.S. Representative and candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2014^[6]

Declined

• Mark Takai, U.S. Representative (running for re-election)^[7]
• Tulsi Gabbard, U.S. Representative (running for re-election)^[8]

Republican Primary

Candidates

Potential

• Cam Cavasso, former State Representative, and nominee for U.S. Senate in 2004, 2010, and 2014^[9]
• Charles Djou, former U.S. Representative^[10]

Withdrawn

• Charles Collins, candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2012 and Governor of Hawaii in 2014^[11]

References

1. Manu Raju and John Bresnahan (April 12, 2011). "Sen. Daniel Inouye goes silent on big Hawaiian race". Politico.
2. Hamilton, Chris. "The Maui News - Inouye has more he wants to do for (Hawaii Senator emphasizes need for Democrats to remain in control)". The Maui News. The Maui News. Retrieved September 2, 2012.
3. Mizutani, Ron (April 26, 2010). "Sen. Akaka: "God willing, I Plan to Run Again in 2012"". KHON2. Retrieved March 3, 2011.
4. "Hawaii Sen. Daniel Inouye dies at age 88". Washington Post. Retrieved December 17, 2012.
5. Emily Cahn; Alexis Levinson (January 28, 2015). "Senators Confirm Re-Election Bids for 2016". Roll Call. Retrieved January 29, 2015.
6. Stephen O'Harrow (August 18, 2014). "Dan Inouye and Brian Schatz: A Lesson in Hawaii Politics". Honolulu Civil Beat.
7. Blair, Chad (March 14, 2015). "Tulsi Gabbard Looks to Be Running for Re-election". Honolulu Civil Beat.
8. Blair, Chad (March 14, 2015). "Tulsi Gabbard Looks to Be Running for Re-election". Honolulu Civil Beat.
9. "Charles Collins for US Senate". Retrieved December 29, 2015.
10. "Charles Collins for US Senate". Retrieved December 29, 2015.
11. "Charles Collins for US Senate". Retrieved December 29, 2015.