(Honolulu, HI) – The Hawaiʻi Republican Party (HRP) leadership is cautiously encouraged by the outcome of the August 13th Primary Election. There were numbers that  showed promise in many State Legislative and statewide races. "Our Party fielded 102 candidates this election cycle, a historical number which helped to get our message out across the State that Hawaii's people need balanced representation, trust in their government, and resolution to the many crises facing us; the high cost of living, a severe shortage of housing, increasing crime rates, and corruption in government at every level." 

Out of the 102 candidates, the Party will continue to support 69 campaigns working to win in the General Election, including 22 State Senate and 42 State House candidates. The Party will also get behind a slate of experienced and well-known leaders in the statewide races - Duke Aiona and JR Tupa'i to lead our State slate, Rep. Bob McDermott for U.S. Senate, and Conrad Kress and Joe Akana for U.S. House.

"As Republicans in Hawaiʻi, we know we are the underdogs. We fight an uphill battle every election," commented Chair Lynn Finnegan. "Yet this cycle, we are climbing that hill with an  motivated volunteers and supporters ready to take on the fight for the sake of Hawaii’s future." 

The most significant achievement of Primary Election night 2022 was the turnout of Republicans. Printouts showed more support for Republicans than in any recent election cycle. Republicans won over 20% of the total vote, the highest percentage since 2002 when Hawaii voted Republican candidate Linda Lingle into office. "We are fired up and ready to take down the Democrat establishment in the General Election where voters are free to crossover vote." 

Today, the HRP will host their traditional Unity Lunch to unite candidates for the coming General Election in November. "The simple strategy of our Party is to help our candidates build on the work they have started to ensure that all voters understand that elections have consequences and to remind Hawaiʻi of what we all have endured at the hands of Democrats for 70 years," concluded Finnegan.  

"Every election, we hear the same promises from Democrats - economic relief to our struggling families, better education for our Keiki, a solution to our homeless and housing epidemic. But nothing in Hawaii has gotten better. The only hope for Hawai'i is to vote for leadership that will expose corruption, hold Democrats accountable for their unkept promises, and work together to resolve our most pressing issues." 

The battle for Republicans may be uphill, but it's one that we know is worth fighting. Our families, faith, and our freedom are worth fighting for."