Beth Fukumoto
Beth Fukumoto | |
|---|---|
| Minority Leader of the Hawaii House of Representatives | |
| In office December 31, 2014 – February 1, 2017 | |
| Preceded by | Aaron Ling Johanson |
| Succeeded by | Andria Tupola |
| Member of the Hawaii House of Representatives from the 36th district | |
| Assumed office January 16, 2013 | |
| Preceded by | Roy Takumi |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 30, 1983[1] Honolulu, Hawaii |
| Nationality | American |
| Political party | Republican |
| Residence | Mililani, Hawaii |
| Alma mater | Georgetown University University of Hawaii at Manoa |
| Website | Campaign Website |
Beth Fukumoto[2] (born March 30, 1983, in Honolulu, Hawaii) is an American politician and a Republican member of the Hawaii House of Representatives since January 16, 2013, representing District 36.[3]
Education
Fukumoto graduated with honors from the University of Hawaii at Manoa with a B.A. in American Studies with a minor in Sociology. Received her M.A. in English from Georgetown University.
Career
Representative Beth Fukumoto was first elected in 2012 and is the youngest person to serve as the House Minority Leader. She is also the youngest person to serve as the House Minority Floor Leader and the Director of Research for the House Minority. Rep. Fukumoto represents the community in which she grew up, District 36: Mililani, Mililani Mauka, and Waipio Acres. In 2013, Fukumoto was awarded the James Madison Fellowship by the Millennial Action Project for her demonstrated success in transcending partisan lines. The Daily Beast named Fukumoto one of "Nine Women Remaking the Right."[4] Fukumoto was also named by the Washington Post as a Top 40 under 40 Rising Political Star.[5] Recently, she was awarded the Aspen-Rodel Fellowship for demonstrating an outstanding ability to work responsibly across partisan divisions.[6]
In early 2017, Fukumoto announced openness to leaving the Republican Party and potentially seeking membership in the Democratic Party.
In her statement, she noted her disapproval of President Donald Trump's behavior and attitude towards women and minorities and her recent estrangement from the Republican Party: "In the last couple years, I’ve watched leaders in the Republican Party become less and less tolerant of diverse opinions and dissenting voices. Today, I’m facing demands for my resignation from leadership and possible censure because I raised concerns about our President’s treatment of women and minorities. I’ve been asked by both my party and my caucus to commit to not criticizing the president for the remainder of his term and to take a more partisan approach to working in the Legislature. That is not a commitment I can make. As a representative of my community, it is my job to hold leaders accountable and to work with anyone, regardless of party, to make Hawaii a better place for our families. This morning, I sent a letter to my district explaining that I would like to leave the Republican Party and seek membership in the Democratic Party. When I was re-elected in November, I was elected as a Republican, and I want to honor my community’s choice by consulting them before any decision is made. As I articulated in my letter, I encourage my constituents to contact me with input and provide feedback. I was elected by the people of Mililani, and I am here to represent them.”[7]
Elections
- In 2016, Fukumoto was re-elected to represent District 36 by winning the general election, 6,792 votes (66.7%) against Democratic Nominee, Marilyn B. Lee with 3,274 votes (31.7%For Results, Click HERE.).
- In 2014, Fukumoto won District 36 primary election with 1,319 votes [8] and won the November 4, 2014, general election with 5,880 votes (64.5%) against Democratic Nominee, Marilyn B. Lee with 3,034 votes (33.3%)For Results-Click HERE
- In 2012, Fukumoto won the general election with 5,334 votes (51.2%) against incumbent Democratic Representative Marilyn Lee,[9] who had been redistricted from District 38.
- In 2010, Fukumoto ran unopposed in the September 18, 2010, Republican primary for District 37,[10] but lost the November 2, 2010, general election to incumbent Representative Ryan Yamane.[11]
References
- ^ "Beth Fukumoto's Hawaii House District 36 Survey". The Civil Beat. July 30, 2012. Retrieved November 25, 2013.
- ^ "Representative Beth Fukumoto Chang". Honolulu, Hawaii: Hawaii State Legislature. Retrieved November 25, 2013.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Beth Fukumoto Chang's Biography". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved November 25, 2013.
- ^ Murphy, Patricia (September 3, 2013). "Nine Women Remaking the Right". The Daily Beast. Retrieved November 25, 2013.
- ^ http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2014/05/19/the-fixs-40-under-40-part-1/
- ^ https://www.aspeninstitute.org/programs/rodel-fellowships-public-leadership/
- ^ 01, Star-Advertiser Staff Posted February; 1, 2017 February; 1, 2017 Updated February; 3:50pm, 2017. "State Rep. Fukumoto wants to leave Hawaii GOP". Retrieved 2017-02-02.
{{cite web}}:|last=has numeric name (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ http://files.hawaii.gov/elections/files/results/2014/primary/cch.pdf
- ^ "Hawaii General 2012 - State of Hawaii - Statewide November 6, 2012" (PDF). Honolulu, Hawaii: Hawaii Office of Elections. p. 2. Retrieved November 25, 2013.
- ^ "Primary Election 2010 - State of Hawaii - Statewide September 18, 2010" (PDF). Honolulu, Hawaii: Hawaii Office of Elections. p. 4. Retrieved November 25, 2013.
- ^ "General Election - State of Hawaii - Statewide November 2, 2010" (PDF). Honolulu, Hawaii: Hawaii Office of Elections. p. 2. Retrieved November 25, 2013.