2010 Hawaii's 1st congressional district special election

none February 2026 September 2023 2010 Hawaii's 1st congressional district special election Hawaii Presidential House of Representatives No 2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Hawaii#District 1 2008 2010 United States House of Representatives elections in Hawaii#District 1 Nov 2010 May 22, 2010 File:Charles Djou.jpg 150x150px Charles Djou Republican Party (United States) 67,610 39.68% File:Colleen_Hanabusa_113th_Congress.jpg Colleen Hanabusa Democratic Party (United States) 52,802 30.99% File:Rep. Ed Case, 109th Congress.jpg Ed Case Democratic Party (United States) 47,391 27.81% Representative Neil Abercrombie Democratic Party (United States) Charles Djou Republican Party (United States) HI1 House Special 2010.svg 300px Precinct resultsDjou: #FFC8CD 30–40% #FFB2B2 40–50% #E27F7F 50–60%Hanabusa: #BDD3FF 30–40% #A5B0FF 40–50%Case: #ACF2F2 30–40% #7DDDDD 40–50%HI1 House Special 2010.map Interactive map version The 2010 special election for the 1st congressional district of Hawaii was a special election to the United States House of Representatives that took place to fill the vacancy caused by Representative Neil Abercrombie's resignation on February 28, 2010, to focus on his campaign for governor of Hawaii in the 2010 gubernatorial election.Borreca Richard December 11, 2009 Abercrombie to resign from Congress to run for governor http://www.starbulletin.com/news/bulletin/79077937.html dead https://web.archive.org/web/20091214070134/http://www.starbulletin.com/news/bulletin/79077937.html December 14, 2009 December 16, 2009 Honolulu Star-BulletinMarch 1, 2010 Abercrombie resigns post http://www.starbulletin.com/news/20100301_abercrombie_resigns_post.html dead https://web.archive.org/web/20100304075012/http://www.starbulletin.com/news/20100301_abercrombie_resigns_post.html March 4, 2010 March 12, 2010 Honolulu Star-Bulletin Abercrombie planned not to run for re-election in 2010, and many of the candidates that were running for his open seat transferred to the special election. The election was held on May 22, 2010, and Republican Charles Djou won, defeating five Democrats, four fellow Republicans, and four Independent candidates. The main reason for his win was that there were two prominent Democratic candidates instead of one, which split the votes, allowing Djou to win, as Hawaii is an overwhelmingly Democratic state. February 24, 2010 FACTSHEET 2010 SPECIAL ELECTION U.S. House of Representatives, District 1 http://hawaii.gov/elections/factsheets/fsbo145.pdf dead https://web.archive.org/web/20100616111327/http://hawaii.gov/elections/factsheets/fsbo145.pdf June 16, 2010 March 15, 2010 State of Hawaii Office of ElectionsMay 22, 2010 U.S. REP DISTRICT I SPECIAL VACANCY ELECTION - State of Hawaii - Statewide http://hawaii.gov/elections/results/2010/files/special2010.pdf dead https://web.archive.org/web/20100611163127/http://hawaii.gov/elections/results/2010/files/special2010.pdf June 11, 2010 State of Hawaii Office of Elections This is to date the only time a Republican was elected to Congress from Hawaii since Pat Saiki in 1988; Djou volunteered on Saiki's 1988 campaign, and Saiki served as Djou's campaign chair in 2010. Special election rules The election was held without a primary, meaning all candidates from all parties ran against one another and the person with the most votes (even if only a plurality) won; there was no runoff. With three top-tier candidates running, two Democrats and one Republican, it was considered likely that the two Democrats would split the vote, leading to a Republican victory. This was conducted as a vote-by-mail election. All registered voters as of the voter registration deadline were automatically mailed a packet containing the vote-by-mail ballot and return envelopes. No polling places were open on May 22, 2010. Ballots were mailed approximately 20 days prior to the election. Voted ballots had to be received by the State of Hawaii Office of Elections no later than 6:00 p.m., May 22, 2010, in the return envelopes provided. Any voter requiring the use of an accessible voting machine could do so at the Office of the City Clerk, Honolulu Hale, 530 S. King St. from Monday, May 10, 2010, to Thursday, May 20, 2010, excluding Sundays and holidays between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Walk-in voting was open on Saturdays during this period. Candidates Democrats Vinny Browne Ed Case Del Castillo Colleen Hanabusa Philmund Lee Republicans Charles Amsterdam Charles Collins Douglas Crum Charles Djou John Giuffre No party affiliation Jim Brewer Karl F. Moseley Kalaeloa Strode Steve Tataii (list of candidates appearing on the May 22, 2010 State of Hawaii, U.S. Representative District 1 Special Vacancy Election ballotState Of Hawaii U.S. Representative District 1 Special Vacancy Election-May 22, 2010 http://dietpizza.ch/images/ballot-state_of_hawaii-u.s._reprentative_district_I_special_election-may-22-2010.jpg April 26, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20110706224428/http://dietpizza.ch/images/ballot-state_of_hawaii-u.s._reprentative_district_I_special_election-may-22-2010.jpg July 6, 2011 dead mdy-all) Campaign Democratic leaders conceded that the winner-take-all primary favored the one lone Republican in the race. The Republican National Committee (RNC) indicated it might directly support Djou with the hope of winning a congressional seat in a historically Democratic state;Borreca Richard Republicans envision coup with Djou January 28, 2010 Honolulu Star-Bulletin http://www.starbulletin.com/news/20100128_Republicans_envision_coup_with_Djou.html https://web.archive.org/web/20100131155821/http://www.starbulletin.com/news/20100128_Republicans_envision_coup_with_Djou.html dead January 31, 2010 March 12, 2010 RNC political director Gentry Collins referred to Scott Brown's victory in a Massachusetts special election for the U.S. Senate in stating: "I think for us to win that seat will send a signal that what happened in Massachusetts is not an isolated event."DePledge Derrick GOP sees opportunity in Islands January 28, 2010 Honolulu Advertiser http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20100128/NEWS01/1280323/GOP+sees+opportunity+in+Islands March 12, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100402003344/http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20100128/NEWS01/1280323/GOP+sees+opportunity+in+Islands April 2, 2010 dead mdy-all Case and Hanabusa represented different wings of the party, Case being more of a blue-dog moderate Democrat, while Hanabusa was preferred by the liberal wing.Kraushaar Josh December 21, 2009 GOP sets sights on blue Hawaii https://www.politico.com/story/2009/12/gop-sets-sights-on-blue-hawaii-030837 live https://web.archive.org/web/20180711151935/https://www.politico.com/story/2009/12/gop-sets-sights-on-blue-hawaii-030837 July 11, 2018 March 12, 2010 Politico Hanabusa secured the endorsement of EMILY's List, the local party establishment, and local labor unions.Niesse Mark April 24, 2010 Obama's Home Congressional District In Play https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/04/24/obamas-home-congressional_n_550749.html dead https://web.archive.org/web/20100427110255/https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/04/24/obamas-home-congressional_n_550749.html April 27, 2010 August 21, 2010 Huffington Post Case was at odds with the party establishment over his primary challenge to U.S. Senator Daniel Akaka in 2006 when he was still Representative of the 2nd district, although Case claimed that any bad blood with the Democratic electorate over the primary challenge was gone, according to his internal polling.Miller Sean J. December 18, 2009 Case: Dems forgave Akaka challenge The Hill https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/57257-case-dems-forgave-akaka-challenge/ March 12, 2010 Case also criticized Hanabusa for keeping her post as president of the State Senate while attempting to campaign, saying: "It is inconsistent for her to want to run the Senate in a time of crisis for our state and want to run a full-fledged congressional campaign."Borreca Richard January 14, 2010 Case, Hanabusa spar over election http://www.starbulletin.com/news/20100114_Case_Hanabusa_spar_over_election.html dead https://web.archive.org/web/20100118161758/http://www.starbulletin.com/news/20100114_Case_Hanabusa_spar_over_election.html January 18, 2010 March 12, 2010 Honolulu Star-Bulletin The national Democratic Party establishment and the Obama administration signaled Case was their pick, believing him more electable than Hanabusa. Case received support from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee while Hanabusa said she hadn't spoken to them since the previous year. Both Case and Hanabusa proposed that the other drop out for the sake of party unity.Miller Sean J. Lingering resentment could play into Hawaii congressional race December 26, 2009 The Hill https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/57625-lingering-resentment-could-play-into-hawaii-congressional-race/ March 12, 2010 The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) dispatched an aide to the state in the hopes of at least ensuring no other Democrats enter the race. It was unlikely either Democrat would drop out; both represented different views and both already faced off in a 2002 special election for Hawaii's 2nd congressional district, which Case won.Gima Craig January 6, 2003 Victorious Case sees end of old-style politics http://archives.starbulletin.com/2003/01/06/news/index.html live https://web.archive.org/web/20100809035115if_/http://archives.starbulletin.com/2003/01/06/news/index.html August 9, 2010 March 12, 2010 Honolulu Star-Bulletin The DCCC chairman Congressman Chris Van Hollen said he was counting on Abercrombie to help keep the seat Democratic, indicating that endorsements would be used to show which Democrat was preferred by the national party.Soraghan Mike Blake Aaron Both parties prepare for special election for Abercrombie seat December 11, 2009 The Hill https://thehill.com/homenews/house/56760-both-parties-prepare-for-special-election-for-abercrombie-seat/ March 12, 2010 On May 10, 2010, the DCCC said it would not spend any further resources on the race, preferring to save those resources for the November election.Zeleny Jeff May 10, 2010 National Democrats Bow Out of Hawaii Race http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/05/10/national-democrats-bow-out-of-hawaii-race/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20100511102936/http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/05/10/national-democrats-bow-out-of-hawaii-race/ May 11, 2010 The New York Times Endorsements Ed Case Organizations Ocean Championshttp://www.oceanchampions.org/champions/ed-case.html Ed Case Ocean Champions 2010-08-21 https://web.archive.org/web/20100926182102/http://oceanchampions.org/champions/ed-case.html 2010-09-26 dead Sierra Club Hawai'ihttp://www.kitv.com/politics/23338036/detail.html Sierra Club Hawaii Endorses Case, Hanabusa - Politics News Story - KITV Honolulu Kitv.com 2010-05-01 2010-08-21 https://web.archive.org/web/20120223211242/http://www.kitv.com/politics/23338036/detail.html 2012-02-23 dead Newspapers The Honolulu Advertiserhttp://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20100418/OPINION01/4180346/Ed+Case+is+the+best+choice+for+Congress Ed Case is the best choice for Congress April 12, 2010 April 18, 2010 The Honolulu Advertiser https://web.archive.org/web/20100421212945/http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20100418/OPINION01/4180346/Ed+Case+is+the+best+choice+for+Congress April 21, 2010 dead mdy-all Honolulu Star-Bulletinhttp://www.starbulletin.com/editorials/20100506_ed_case_is_best_election_choice.html Ed Case is best election choice May 6, 2010 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20100509020310/http://www.starbulletin.com/editorials/20100506_ed_case_is_best_election_choice.html May 9, 2010 Honolulu Star Bulletin Charles Djou Individuals Tim Pawlenty, 38th governor of Minnesota (2003-2011)Cillizza Chris http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/eye-on-2012/tim-pawlenty-rolls-out-2010-en.html?wprss=thefix https://web.archive.org/web/20120926010528/http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/eye-on-2012/tim-pawlenty-rolls-out-2010-en.html?wprss=thefix dead September 26, 2012 The Fix - Tim Pawlenty rolls out 2010 endorsements Voices.washingtonpost.com 2010-08-21 Mitt Romney, 70th governor of Massachusetts (2003-2007), Republican candidate for president in 2008http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/morning-fix/20100412-romney-endorse-hawaii.html?wprss=thefix https://web.archive.org/web/20120111173009/http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/morning-fix/20100412-romney-endorse-hawaii.html?wprss=thefix dead January 11, 2012 Romney wades into Hawaii special election, raises $1.5 million for PAC April 12, 2010 April 13, 2010 The Washington Post Chris Cillizza Chris Cillizza Organizations GOProudHarvey Kenneth http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2010/03/19/GOProud_Endorses_Charles_Djou_in_Hawaii/ GOProud Endorses Charles Djou in Hawaii | Advocate.com 2010-10-01 https://archive.today/20120716170518/http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2010/03/19/GOProud_Endorses_Charles_Djou_in_Hawaii/ 2012-07-16 dead http://www.gaypatriot.net/2010/03/31/goproud-endorses-djou-for-congress/ GOProud endorses Djou for Congress September 5, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20100902080816/http://www.gaypatriot.net/2010/03/31/goproud-endorses-djou-for-congress/ September 2, 2010 dead Colleen Hanabusa U.S. senators Daniel Akaka, U.S. senator from Hawaii (1990-2013)Keoki Kerr KITV4 News http://www.kitv.com/politics/23063688/detail.html DCCC Will Not Rule Out Endorsement In Special - Politics News Story - KITV Honolulu Kitv.com 2010-04-05 2010-08-21 https://web.archive.org/web/20120223211113/http://www.kitv.com/politics/23063688/detail.html 2012-02-23 dead Daniel Inouye, U.S. senator from Hawaii (1963-2012)Isenstadt Alex https://www.politico.com/story/2010/04/inouye-aide-to-assist-hanabusa-035503 Inouye aide to assist Hanabusa live https://web.archive.org/web/20160129230158/https://www.politico.com/story/2010/04/inouye-aide-to-assist-hanabusa-035503 January 29, 2016 Politico.Com 2010-08-21 U.S. representatives Madeleine Bordallo, U.S. delegate from Guam's at-large congressional district (2003-2019) Mike Honda, U.S. representative from California's 15th congressional district (2001-2013)http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_15061395 February 2022 yes Lynn Woolsey, U.S. representative from California's 6th congressional district (1993-2013)http://www.mercedsunstar.com/2010/05/11/1418095/hanabusa-endorsed-by-california.html August 2010 yes Organizations EMILY's Listhttp://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?parm1=5 Congressional, Presidential and Political News, Blogs, Member Profiles CQ Politics 2010-08-21 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20090224144340/http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?parm1=5 2009-02-24 Sierra Club Hawai'i Polling Poll source Date(s) administered Samplesize Margin oferror EdCase (D) CharlesDjou (R) ColleenHanabusa (D) Other UndecidedMerriman River GroupMerriman River Group May 6–7, 2010 1,081 ±3.0 25.5% 39.5% 25.5% — 10%Harstad Strategic ResearchHarstad Strategic Research April 24–26, 2010 506 n/a 34% 36% 20% — —Honolulu AdvertiserHonolulu Advertiser April 23–28, 2010 349 ±5.2% 28% 36% 22% — 13%Daily Kos/Research 2000Daily Kos/Research 2000 April 11–14, 2010 500 ±4.5% 29% 32% 28% 4% 7%DCCC internal pollDCCC internal poll April, 2010 n/a n/a 32% 32% 27% — 9%Honolulu Star-Bulletin/Mason-DixonHonolulu Star-Bulletin/Mason-Dixon https://web.archive.org/web/20100119210136/http://www.starbulletin.com/news/20100117_Case_takes_early_lead.html January 19, 2010 January 8–12, 2010 403 ±5% 37% 17% 25% — 21% Results 2010 Hawaii's 1st congressional district special electionhttps://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=603337 HI District 1 - Special Election dead https://web.archive.org/web/20140407070614/https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=603337 April 7, 2014 Our Campaigns 14 April 20242010 H3768 May 25, 2010 Republican Party (United States) Charles Djou 67,610 39.68% Democratic Party (United States) Colleen Hanabusa 52,802 30.99% Democratic Party (United States) Ed Case 47,391 27.81% Democratic Party (United States) Rafael Del Castillo 664 0.39% Independent (politician) Kalaeloa Strode 491 0.29% Independent (politician) Jim Brewer 273 0.16% Democratic Party (United States) Philmund Lee 254 0.15% Republican Party (United States) Charles (Googie) Collins 194 0.11% Republican Party (United States) Charles Kaui Jochanan Amsterdam 170 0.10% Democratic Party (United States) Vinny Browne 150 0.09% Independent (politician) Steve Tataii 125 0.07% Republican Party (United States) Douglas Crum 107 0.06% Republican Party (United States) John (Raghu) Giuffre 82 0.05% Independent (politician) Karl F. Moseley 80 0.05% Blank votes 135 Over votes 889 14,808 8.69% 170,393 Republican Party (United States) Democratic Party (United States) References 30em External links Hawaii Office of Elections website Official results from Hawaii Office of Elections website Archived Debates Hawaii 1st District House Special Election Debate, May 7, 2010, C-SPAN Official candidate sites Vinny Browne Ed Case campaign Rafael Del Castillo Charles Collins Charles Djou Colleen Hanabusa Hawaii 2010 01 Hawaii 2010 01 2010 01 Special Hawaii 01 Special United States House of Representatives 01 Special United States House of Representatives 2010 01