Hawai'i U.S. Senate- Race of the Day

 Hawai'i U.S.Senate

94 Days Until Election Day

Status: Democrat Incumbent

2020 Presidential Result: Blue State (West)

Outlook: Safe Democrat

With so much in the news this past week, directly related to Presidential politics, and otherwise, I could have had a very long post today about the White House race. I am going to hold off for one day though, because perhaps by tomorrow evening, we may know whom Kamala Harris is picking to be her running-mate. Either way, I will touch on some of the main political events of the week on Sunday, and instead, today, will save some time by talking about what might be the least competitive Senate race in the country.

Hawai'i is staunchly blue. The very liberal Mazie Hirono is seeking a third term and should easily be reelected a couple of days after her 77th birthday. An immigrant from Japan, Hirono was the first ever Asian-American woman in the U.S. Senate Prior to that, she served six years as a House Member.. She seems to be in good health, after having surgery for stage-four kidney cancer seven years ago. The incumbent will have no problems against two opponents when Hawai'i primary voters go to the polls a week from today. One of those primary opponents is Ron Curtis, a retired computer engineer, whom in 2018 was the Republican nominee against Hirono and lost 71-29.

Whom Republicans might nominate is less certain but it really is unlikely to matter. The party has been pretty dormant since the days of Linda Lingle, a once popular Governor, whom Hirono easily beat for her first Senate term in 2012. Sixteen years before that, Lingle had defeated Hirono to become Governor. 

This year, six Republicans are running for U.S. Senate. Most of them have political defeats in their past. I sense that Adriel Lam, a retired Army officer of Asian-American heritage might be the candidate that party insiders think could do the best in November, in what is the least white state in the Union. Also in the race though is Bob McDermott, a caucasian former State Representative, whom two years ago took 26 percent against Hawai'i's other Senator in a general election. If I had to guess, I would say that due to name recognition and a low turnout, McDermott might be the favorite to win another Senate nomination.

In any event, Hirono will be saying Aloha on Capitol Hill once again, when she returns next year for another term.

U.S. Senate races predicted thus far:

5 D  (3 Safe, 1 Likely, 1 Tossup)

1 R (1 Leans)

Total with predicted thus far:

33 Democrats (28 Holdover, 3 Safe, 1 Likely, 1 Tossup)

39 Republicans (1 Leans, 38 Holdover)