(Honolulu, HI) – The Office of Elections Candidate Filing deadline today caused a frenzy of activity at the County Clerk’s offices around the State. For the Hawai‘i Republican Party, today marks the end of weeks of statewide candidate recruitment efforts led by Chair Lynn Finnegan. “We can not win races and gain seats without first having candidates. Though we know that choosing to run as a Republican in one of the bluest States in the nation may seem to be a hard choice, our candidates are passionate, excited, and ready to bring a fresh perspective to State leadership, ” said Chair Finnegan.

“Our battle cry, Stand for Hawai‘i, has ignited many ordinary people to take up the challenge to run for office in these extraordinary times. Change is in the air. The people of Hawai‘i have had enough of government corruption, the high cost of living, rising crime, and just the overall dismissive and disrespectful treatment State leaders have toward the local people. Business people, school teachers, community leaders, and concerned citizens have stepped up to put their name on this year’s Primary ballot as a Republican.”

Never in the recent history of the State GOP has there been over 100 Republican candidates campaigning toward the August Primary. In the Governor’s race, the party has 10 candidates vying to represent the Party in the November General Election. The party also has successfully filled candidate seats for 41 of the 51 State House and 22 of the 25 State Senate seats. 

Chair Finnegan explained, “Due to the 2020 U.S. Census that informs the every 10-year reapportionment, all legislative offices, the Governor, and Lieutenant Governor will be voted on in this year’s election. This opportunity to gain seats in the State Legislature and Executive Branch happens only once every twenty years. We believe the tired and predictable one-party system does not serve the people of Hawai‘i well at all. And as we have seen recently, absolute power corrupts absolutely. Democrats have been in power for over 60 years and we need a more balanced two party system to finally and effectively resolve key issues that affect families, youth, workers, the homeless, and those in need. ”

“The political definition of insanity is voting in the same people over and over again expecting a different outcome. We believe the people of Hawai‘i need a voice. We believe the people of Hawai‘i deserve a choice. The Hawai‘i Republican Party is alive and well, and we expect to give the people just that - a voice AND a choice.”