What to know about the 2024 election
This article is a continuation of the November 20, 2024 edition of the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii e-Voice of Business newsletter. See the full newsletter here.
Federal Election
The Trump Administration will begin its term on January 20, 2025 with Cabinet confirmations in progress. Former Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii was nominated as Director of National Intelligence to oversee U.S. intelligence agencies. Positions such as Secretary of Defense and Treasury Secretary remain unfilled, and Trump continues to finalize his team.
Next year the Republican Party holds the majority in both chambers of Congress. They secured at least 219 seats in the House of Representatives, surpassing the 218 needed for a majority, though some races are still being finalized.
In the Senate, Republicans gained control with a 52-47 majority. This shift strengthens the party’s legislative power during the incoming Trump administration, aligning both chambers with the executive branch for streamlined policymaking.
As for Hawaii’s federal delegation, incumbents U.S. Senator Mazie Hirono, U.S. Representatives Ed Case and Jill Tokuda were reelected.
State Election
While there are no changes in State Senate Majority leadership, Hawaii State House sees a new leadership team taking charge as Representative Nadine K. Nakamura, the first female speaker in the State’s history, assumes the role of Speaker of the House. The remaining leadership roles are as follows:
- Vice Speaker Linda Ichiyama
- Majority Leader Sean Quinlan
- Majority Caucus Leader Chris Todd
- Majority Floor Leader Dee Morikawa
The Senate chamber has 25 members — 22 Democrats and 3 Republicans. Notably, new Senator Samantha DeCorte (R) defeated former Rep. Cedric Gates (D) in the race for the Senate seat for Senate District 22 (Ko ‘Olina, Nānākuli, Mā‘ili, Wai‘anae, Mākaha, Mākua). Senator Brenton Awa will now serve as Senate Minority Leader. The House chamber of 51 members has shifted to 42 Democrats and 9 Republicans.
Complete election results are available here. Stay tuned to get the details on Chamber Week 2025, where business leaders have the opportunity to meet legislators through a variety of events in January.
The most notable results for the House race are as follows:
- State Representative, Dist 2 | Hilo
- (D) LEE LOY, Susan (Sue) 4,403 60.5%
- State Representative, Dist 20 |
- (D) NAKADA GRANDINETTI, Tina 7,556 72.3%
- State Representative, Dist 23 | Mō‘ili‘ili, McCully
- (D) OLDS, Ikaika M. 1,518 40.7%
- State Representative, Dist 25 | Ala Moana, Kaka‘ako, Downtown
- IWAMOTO, Kim Coco 2,668 49.3%
- State Representative, Dist 29 | Kamehameha Heights, Kalihi Valley, portion of Kalihi
- (D) HUSSEY, Ikaika Lardizabal 3,604 65.3%
- State Representative, Dist 30 | Kalihi, Kalihi Kai, Ke‘ehi Lagoon, Hickam Village
- (D) TEMPLO, Shirley Ann Labadan 757 43.0%
- State Representative, Dist 32 | Fort Shafter, Moanalua, Āliamanu, Foster Village, portions of ‘Aiea and Hālawa
- (R) SHIMIZU, Garner Musashi 4,596 47.6%
- State Representative, Dist 39 | Royal Kunia, Village Park, Honouliuli, Ho‘opili, and Portion of Waipahu
- (R) PIERICK, Elijah 4,706 50.11% (incumbent)
- State Representative, Dist 40 | Portions of Lower Village and ‘Ewa Beach, Iroquois Point
- (R) REYES ODA, Julie 3,743 48.9%
- State Representative, Dist 45 | Wai‘anae, Mākaha
- (R) MURAOKA, Chris 2,608 47.4%
- (D) DESOTO, Desire Auguste 2,556 46.4%
- State Representative, Dist 50 | Kailua, portion of Kāne‘ohe Bay
- (D) LEE, Mike 3,597 54.6%
For more information on election results, please visit: Office of Elections | Results
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