2012 United States Senate election in Hawaii

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 senator Daniel Akaka decided to retire instead of seeking a fourth full term. Democrat Mazie Hirono defeated Republican Linda Lingle in a rematch of Hawaii’s 2002 gubernatorial election. This was the first open Senate seat in the state of Hawaii since 1976.

Background
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 first full six-year term and again in 2000 and 2006. Despite originally saying he would seek re-election in 2012, on March 2, 2011, Akaka announced that he would not run for re-election.

Democratic primary
The primary election was held on August 11. 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

 * Ed Case, former U.S. Representative
 * Michael Gillespie
 * Antonio Gimbernat
 * Mazie Hirono, U.S. Representative and 2002 nominee for governor
 * Arturo Reyes

Withdrew

 * Daniel Akaka, incumbent U.S. Senator

Declined

 * Tammy Duckworth, Assistant Secretary of Public/Intergovernmental Affairs (ran for Congress in Illinois)
 * Colleen Hanabusa, U.S. Representative
 * Mufi Hannemann, former Mayor of Honolulu (ran for Congress)

Campaign
In December 2011, Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Chairwoman and U.S. Senator Patty Murray for Washington endorsed Hirono. 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. The Daily Kos blog described Ed Case a "Democratic villain."

Republican primary
The primary election was held on August 11.

Candidates

 * John Carroll, former state senator, former state representative and perennial candidate
 * Charles Collins
 * Linda Lingle, former governor
 * Eddie Pirkowski, businessman and perennial candidate
 * John Roco

Declined

 * Duke Aiona, former lieutenant governor
 * Charles Djou, former U.S. representative (running for U.S. House)

Candidates

 * Mazie Hirono (Democratic), U.S. Representative
 * Linda Lingle (Republican), former governor
 * Heath Beasley (independent)

Debates

 * September 6, 2012 – Honolulu Japanese Chamber of Commerce and various other hosts
 * October 8, 2012 – AARP Hawaii
 * October 16, 2012 – Honolulu Civil Beat, Complete video of debate at C-SPAN
 * October 18, 2012 – PBS Hawaii
 * October 22, 2012 – Hawaii Star Advertiser

Polling

 * Democratic primary


 * with Duke Aiona


 * with Colleen Hanabusa


 * with Charles Djou


 * With Mufi Hannemann


 * with Brian Schatz

Results by congressional district
Hirono won both congressional districts.