PAHOA, Hawaii (AP) – Incumbent Sen. Brian Schatz won a tense Democratic primary election in Hawaii on Friday. He proved he’s not just a senator who was appointed to his seat – he has captured the confidence of Hawaii voters.
The dramatic race to finish the term of the late Sen. Daniel Inouye was tinged with emotional residue from the past. Schatz was challenged by Rep. Colleen Hanabusa, who at one point said that he wasn’t a true incumbent because he had been appointed by Gov. Neil Abercrombie.
Now, after a vote that stretched over nearly a week because Tropical Storm Iselle knocked out power and closed polling stations, Schatz has carried his slim election-night lead to a victory.
Schatz edged out Hanabusa, capturing 49 percent of the vote, compared with Hanabusa’s 48 percent.