Representative Ed Case beat Jarrett Keohokalole, a younger progressive, in a race that centered on questions of generational change and the state\u2019s skyrocketing cost of living.<\/p>\n
Representative Ed Case, a moderate Democrat from Hawaii, soundly defeated a progressive challenger in his primary race on Sunday, according to The Associated Press.<\/p>\n
His victory defies a larger trend of left-wing challengers ousting pro-Israel incumbents this year. Mr. Case, 73, is also among the few older, centrist Democrats who have kept their seats after serious primary challenges.<\/p>\n
The strongest of Mr. Case\u2019s primary opponents was Jarrett Keohokalole, a state senator 30 years his junior. Mr. Keohokalole argued that Mr. Case was out of touch with the struggles of ordinary people in Hawaii as the cost of living has skyrocketed, and that he was not speaking out enough against the Trump administration\u2019s immigration crackdown.<\/p>\n
Mr. Case appeared to win by a wide margin. He was leading Mr. Keohokalole with 60 percent of the vote compared to 36.1 percent on Sunday morning, with more than 90 percent of the vote reported.<\/p>\n
Mr. Case is among the most fiscally conservative Democrats in the House and has repeatedly broken ranks with his party, angering some on the left. He has represented Hawaii\u2019s First District, anchored in Honolulu, since 2019.<\/p>\n
Mr. Keohokalole criticized Mr. Case\u2019s vote last year for legislation pushed by President Trump that would require documentary proof of citizenship to register to vote. (Mr. Case told Hawaii News Now that he no longer supported the measure after Republicans stripped an option for voters to attest to their citizenship in writing if they lack documentation.) Mr. Keohokalole said that unlike Mr. Case, he would not vote to send military aid to Israel for the war on Gaza.<\/p>\n
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