United States Senate election in Hawaii, 2012
U.S. Senate election results map.
Blue denotes counties/districts won by Hirono.
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The 2012 United States Senate election in Hawaii took place on November 6, 2012, concurrently with the 2012 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 Daniel Akaka decided to retire instead of running for re-election to a fourth term. Democratic Congresswoman Mazie Hirono defeated former Hawaii Governor Linda Lingle in a rematch of the 2002 Hawaii gubernatorial election .
Background [ edit ]
U.S. Representative Daniel Akaka was appointed by Governor John Waihee to the U.S. Senate to serve temporarily after the death of U.S. Senator Spark Matsunaga , and sworn into office on May 16, 1990. On November 6 of the same year, he was elected to complete the remaining four years of Matsunaga's unexpired term. He was re-elected in 1994 for a full six-year term and again in 2000 and 2006. Despite originally saying he would seek re-election in 2012,[ 2] on March 2, 2011, Akaka announced that he would not run for re-election.[ 3]
Democratic primary [ edit ]
The primary election was held on August 11.[ 4] After being locked in a tight race with Ed Case , her predecessor in Congress, incumbent Congresswoman Mazie Hirono pulled away in the final vote, handily defeating Case.
Candidates [ edit ]
Declined [ edit ]
Campaign [ edit ]
In December 2011, Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Chairwoman and U.S. Senator Patty Murray for Washington endorsed Hirono.[ 12] U.S. Senator and President Pro Tempore Daniel Inouye for Hawaii also endorsed her. Case criticized "D.C. insiders." He also argued that he is a fiscal moderate, while Hirono was rated the 6th most liberal member of the U.S. House.[ 13] [ 14] The Daily Kos blog described Ed Case a "Democratic villain."[ 15]
Polling [ edit ]
Results [ edit ]
Democratic primary results[ 16]
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Democratic
Mazie Hirono
134,745
56.8
Democratic
Ed Case
95,553
40.3
Blank Votes
3,331
1.4
Democratic
Arturo Reyes
1,720
0.7
Democratic
Michael Gillespie
1,104
0.5
Democratic
Antonio Gimbernat
517
0.2
Over Votes
110
0.0
Total votes
237,080
100
Republican primary [ edit ]
The primary election was held on August 11.
Candidates [ edit ]
John Carroll , former state senator and state representative; unsuccessful 2010 gubernatorial candidate[ 17]
Charles Collins[ 18]
Linda Lingle , former Hawaii governor[ 19]
Eddie Pirkowski, former Hawaii U.S. Senate Candidate in 2010 and 2006, and businessman[ 20]
John Roco
Declined [ edit ]
Polling [ edit ]
Poll source
Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
John
Carroll
Linda
Lingle
Undecided
Public Policy Polling
October 13–16, 2011
293
± 5.7%
9%
85%
6%
Results [ edit ]
Republican primary results[ 16]
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Republican
Linda Lingle
44,252
90.2
Republican
John Carroll
2,900
5.9
Blank Votes
749
1.5
Republican
John Roco
545
1.1
Republican
Charles Collins
366
0.7
Republican
Eddie Pirkowski
232
0.5
Over Votes
25
0.1
Total votes
49,069
100
General election [ edit ]
Candidates [ edit ]
Mazie Hirono (Democratic), U.S. Congresswoman
Linda Lingle (Republican), Former Governor and Mayor of Maui
Heath Beasley (Independent)[ 24]
Debates [ edit ]
September 6, 2012 – Honolulu Japanese Chamber of Commerce and various other hosts[ 25] [ 26]
October 8, 2012 – AARP Hawaii
October 16, 2012 – Honolulu Civil Beat, complete video at C-SPAN
October 18, 2012 – PBS Hawaii
October 22, 2012 – Hawaii Star Advertiser[ 27] [ 28]
Fundraising [ edit ]
Candidate (party)
Receipts
Disbursements
Cash on hand
Debt
Mazie Hirono (D)
$5,518,572
$5,657,753
$77,323
$241,951
Linda Lingle (R)
$5,865,323
$5,839,282
$26,042
$194,534
Source: Federal Election Commission [ 29] [ 30]
Top contributors [ edit ]
Mazie Hirono
Contribution
Linda Lingle
Contribution
EMILY's List
$215,640
Goldman Sachs
$39,900
University of Hawaii
$29,900
Elliott Management Corporation
$39,500
Kobayashi, Sugita & Goda
$24,618
Humanscale Corporation
$34,000
Alexander & Baldwin
$23,100
Bank of America
$21,240
RM Towill Corp
$23,000
Richie's Specialty Pharmacy
$20,000
Weitz & Luxenberg
$22,400
Marriott International
$19,500
Council for a Livable World
$20,914
Murray Energy
$19,205
Nan, Inc.
$20,000
State of Hawaii
$18,350
Thornton & Naumes
$20,000
Devon Energy
$15,500
BNP Paribas
$17,250
Crown Associates Realty
$15,000
Source: Center for Responsive Politics [ 31]
Top industries [ edit ]
Mazie Hirono
Contribution
Linda Lingle
Contribution
Lawyers /Law Firms
$524,619
Retired
$640,433
Women's Issues
$336,772
Financial Institutions
$368,837
Retired
$194,307
Leadership PACs
$291,500
Leadership PACs
$186,500
Real Estate
$249,216
Real Estate
$123,598
Pro-Israel
$185,500
Transportation Unions
$110,400
Health Professionals
$154,550
Lobbyists
$109,344
Petroleum Industry
$137,950
Public Sector Unions
$108,000
Misc Finance
$137,500
Democratic/Liberal
$85,788
Lawyers/Law Firms
$135,086
Shipping Industry
$85,385
Republican/Conservative
$101,664
Source: Center for Responsive Politics [ 32]
Polling [ edit ]
Poll source
Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Mazie
Hirono (D)
Linda
Lingle (R)
Undecided
Civil Beat/Merriman River
October 24–26, 2012
1,218
± 2.8%
55%
40%
5%
Honolulu Star-Advertiser
October 15–22, 2012
786
± 3.5%
57%
35%
8%
Civil Beat/Merriman River
September 26–28, 2012
1,684
± 2.4%
55%
39%
6%
Honolulu Star-Advertiser
July 12–21, 2012
756
± 3.6%
58%
39%
4%
Civil Beat/Merriman River
June 5–7, 2012
1,105
± 2.9%
49%
44%
5%
Public Policy Polling
May 16–17, 2012
600
± 4.0%
50%
41%
9%
Honolulu Star-Advertiser
January 26–February 5, 2012
771
± 3.5%
57%
37%
5%
Civil Beat/Merriman River
January 18–19, 2011
1,358
± 2.7%
46%
39%
16%
Public Policy Polling
October 13–16, 2011
568
± 4.1%
48%
42%
10%
Honolulu Star-Advertiser
May 4–10, 2011
614
± 4.0%
57%
35%
8%
Public Policy Polling
March 24–27, 2011
898
± 3.3%
52%
40%
9%
Hypothetical polling
Democratic primary
Poll source
Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Ed
Case
Colleen
Hanabusa
Mufi
Hannemann
Mazie
Hirono
Brian
Schatz
Don't Know/
Refused
Honolulu Star-Advertiser
May 4–10, 2011
403
± 4.9%
26%
15%
17%
25%
6%
11%
with Duke Aiona
Poll source
Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Ed
Case (D)
Duke
Aiona (R)
Undecided/Other
Public Policy Polling
March 24–27, 2011
898
± 3.3%
50%
35%
15%
Poll source
Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Mazie
Hirono (D)
Duke
Aiona (R)
Undecided/Other
Public Policy Polling
March 24–27, 2011
898
± 3.3%
49%
42%
10%
with Colleen Hanabusa
Poll source
Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Colleen
Hanabusa (D)
Duke
Aiona (R)
Undecided/Other
Public Policy Polling
March 24–27, 2011
898
± 3.3%
48%
43%
9%
Poll source
Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Colleen
Hanabusa (D)
Charles
Djou (R)
Undecided/Other
Public Policy Polling
March 24–27, 2011
898
± 3.3%
50%
40%
10%
Poll source
Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Colleen
Hanabusa (D)
Linda
Lingle (R)
Undecided/Other
Honolulu Star-Advertiser
May 4–10, 2011
614
± 4.0%
54%
39%
7%
Public Policy Polling
March 24–27, 2011
898
± 3.3%
51%
40%
9%
with Charles Djou
Poll source
Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Ed
Case (D)
Charles
Djou (R)
Undecided/Other
Public Policy Polling
March 24–27, 2011
898
± 3.3%
53%
35%
12%
Poll source
Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Mazie
Hirono (D)
Charles
Djou (R)
Undecided/Other
Public Policy Polling
March 24–27, 2011
898
± 3.3%
51%
40%
9%
With Mufi Hannemann
Poll source
Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Mufi
Hannemann (D)
Charles
Djou (R)
Undecided/Other
Public Policy Polling
March 24–27, 2011
898
± 3.3%
46%
40%
14%
Poll source
Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Mufi
Hannemann (D)
Duke
Aiona (R)
Undecided/Other
Public Policy Polling
March 24–27, 2011
898
± 3.3%
42%
42%
16%
Poll source
Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Mufi
Hannemann (D)
Linda
Lingle (R)
Undecided/Other
Honolulu Star-Advertiser
May 4–10, 2011
614
± 4.0%
51%
36%
13%
Public Policy Polling
March 24–27, 2011
898
± 3.3%
47%
40%
14%
with Brian Schatz
Poll source
Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Brian
Schatz (D)
Linda
Lingle (R)
Undecided/Other
Honolulu Star-Advertiser
May 4–10, 2011
614
± 4.0%
47%
43%
10%
Poll source
Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Ed
Case (D)
John
Carroll (R)
Undecided/Other
Public Policy Polling
October 13–16, 2011
568
± 4.1%
60%
21%
18%
Poll source
Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Mazie
Hirono (D)
John
Carroll (R)
Undecided/Other
Public Policy Polling
October 13–16, 2011
568
± 4.1%
56%
29%
15%
Results [ edit ]
United States Senate election in Hawaii, 2012
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
Democratic
Mazie Hirono
269,489
62.6
Republican
Linda Lingle
160,994
37.4
Majority
108,495
25.20
Turnout
430,483
44.2
See also [ edit ]
References [ edit ]
^ Dr. Michael McDonald (February 9, 2013). "2012 General Election Turnout Rates" . George Mason University . Retrieved April 3, 2013 .
^ Mizutani, Ron (April 26, 2010). "Sen. Akaka: "God willing, I Plan to Run Again in 2012" " . KHON2 . Retrieved March 3, 2011 .
^ a b DePledge, Derrick (March 2, 2011). "AKAKA WILL NOT SEEK RE-ELECTION IN 2012" . Honolulu Star-Advertiser . Retrieved March 3, 2011 .
^ Maui Weekly
^ Starkey, Melanie (April 10, 2011). "Ed Case to Mount Hawaii Senate Campaign" . Roll Call . Retrieved June 1, 2011 .
^ Trygstad, Kyle (May 19, 2011). "Mazie Hirono to Run for Open Senate Seat in Hawaii" . Roll Call . Retrieved June 1, 2011 .
^ Daranciang, Nelson (May 31, 2011). "Duckworth not considering run for Hawaii posts" . Honolulu Star-Advertiser . Retrieved June 1, 2011 .
^ Catanese, David (March 3, 2011). "Hanabusa passes on Senate Bid" . Politico . Retrieved August 24, 2011 .
^ Blair, Chad (August 24, 2011). "No Senate Run for Hanabusa" . Honolulu Civil Beat (Peer News LLC). Retrieved 2011-08-26 .
^ Trygstad, Kyle (August 24, 2011). "Hanabusa Will Seek Re-Election, Not Bid for Senate" . Roll Call . Retrieved 2011-08-26 .
^ Joseph, Cameron (August 30, 2011). "Former Honolulu Mayor Hannemann to run for House" . Ballot Box . Retrieved August 30, 2011 .
^ Poll: Hirono in solid shape in Senate primary - The Hill's Ballot Box
^ Former Congressman Ed Case: If Hirono Wins U.S. Senate Democratic Primary, Former GOP Gov. Lingle Will Beat Her | Hawaii Reporter
^ Unrelenting Ed Case Says Mazie Hirono Is D.C. Insider : Roll Call Politics
^ Honolulu Civil Beat – Capitol Watch – Hawaii Politics and Government – Daily Kos Hates Ed Case
^ a b "PRIMARY ELECTION 2012 - State of Hawaii - Statewide" (PDF) . State Of Hawaii Office of Elections . Retrieved September 29, 2012 .
^ "Ex-HI GOP legislator John Carroll to run for U.S. Senate" . The Hawaii Independent . September 21, 2011. Retrieved September 27, 2011 .
^ Bracken, Sherry (May 29, 2012). "Senate Candidate Lingle Continues to Campaign on Big Island" . Retrieved July 25, 2012 . In the August 11 Republican primary, she will face Charles Collins of Pahoa.
^ DePledge, Derrick (October 11, 2011). "Lingle joins U.S. Senate race" . Honolulu Star-Advertiser . Retrieved October 11, 2011 .
^ http://hawaii.gov/elections/candidates/reports/2012/candidate_report_2012-06-08_CERTIFIED.pdf
^ "Aiona says he will not run for Congress in 2012" . Honolulu Star-Advertiser . August 16, 2011. Retrieved September 7, 2011 .
^ "Djou announces run for Congress, will deploy to Afghanistan" . Honolulu Star-Advertiser . August 17, 2011. Retrieved 2011-08-26 .
^ Trygstad, Kyle (August 17, 2011). "Ex-Rep. Djou Announces Bid for House" . Roll Call . Retrieved 2011-08-26 .
^ "Hawaii – County Vote Results" . Associated Press. August 12, 2012. Retrieved October 13, 2012 .
^ "Hirono, Lingle square off in first Senate debate" . New Vision Television – KHON2. September 6, 2012. Retrieved October 8, 2012 .
^ Sakahara, Tim (September 6, 2012). "Lingle and Hirono battle in feisty debate" . Retrieved October 8, 2012 .
^ "Lingle, Hirono finalize debate schedule" . The Maui News. August 23, 2012. Retrieved October 8, 2012 .
^ "Lingle, Hirono finalize US Senate debate schedule" . Real Clear Politics. Associated Press. August 22, 2012. Retrieved October 8, 2012 .
^ Federal Election Commission . "2012 House and Senate Campaign Finance for Hawaii HIRONO, MAZIE K" . fec.gov.
^ Federal Election Commission . "2012 House and Senate Campaign Finance for Hawaii LINGLE, LINDA" . fec.gov.
^ Center for Responsive Politics . "Top Contributors 2012 Race: Hawaii Senate" . opensecrets.org.
^ Center for Responsive Politics . "Top Industries 2012 Race: Hawaii Senate" . opensecrets.org.
External links [ edit ]
Campaign sites