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. This was the first open Senate seat in the state of Hawaii since 1976.

This was a rematch of the 2002 Hawaii gubernatorial election, which Linda Lingle won 51.56% – 47.01%.

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.Poll: Hirono in solid shape in Senate primary – The Hill's Ballot Box 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.Former Congressman Ed Case: If Hirono Wins U.S. Senate Democratic Primary, Former GOP Gov. Lingle Will Beat Her | Hawaii ReporterUnrelenting Ed Case Says Mazie Hirono Is D.C. Insider : Roll Call Politics The Daily Kos blog described Ed Case as a "Democratic villain."

Polling Poll source EdCase MazieHirono UndecidedPublic Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling October 13–16, 2011 368 ±5.1% 40% 45% 15%Civil Beat PollCivil Beat Poll January 18–19, 2012 1,358 ±2.7% 41% 39% 20%Honolulu Star-AdvertiserHonolulu Star-Advertiser January 26 – February 5, 2012 599 ±4.0% 36% 56% 8%Civil Beat PollCivil Beat Poll June 5–7, 2012 731 ±3.6% 46% 46% 8%Honolulu Star-Advertiser July 5–9, 2012 599 ±4.0% 40% 43% 9%Honolulu Star-AdvertiserHonolulu Star-Advertiser July 12–21, 2012 606 ±4.0% 37% 55% 8%Civil Beat/Merriman RiverCivil Beat/Merriman River July 31 – August 2, 2012 1,227 ±2.8% 47% 46% 9%

Results

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)

Polling Poll source JohnCarroll LindaLingle UndecidedPublic Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling October 13–16, 2011 293 ±5.7% 9% 85% 6%

Results

General election

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

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

Fundraising Candidate (party) Receipts Disbursements Cash on hand DebtMazie Hirono (D) $5,518,572 $5,657,753 $77,323 $241,951Linda Lingle (R) $5,865,323 $5,839,282 $26,042 $194,534 Source: Federal Election Commission

Top contributors

Mazie Hirono Contribution Linda Lingle Contribution EMILY's List $215,640 Goldman Sachs $39,900 University of Hawaii $29,900 Elliott Management Corporation $39,500 Kobayashi, Sugita & Goda $24,618 Humanscale Corporation $34,000 Alexander & Baldwin $23,100 Bank of America $21,240 RM Towill Corp $23,000 Richie's Specialty Pharmacy $20,000 Weitz & Luxenberg $22,400 Marriott International $19,500 Council for a Livable World $20,914 Murray Energy $19,205 Nan, Inc. $20,000 State of Hawaii $18,350 Thornton & Naumes $20,000 Devon Energy $15,500 BNP Paribas $17,250 Crown Associates Realty $15,000 Source: OpenSecrets

Top industries

Mazie Hirono Contribution Linda Lingle Contribution Lawyers/law firms $524,619 Retired $640,433 Women's issues $336,772 Financial institutions $368,837 Retired $194,307 Leadership PACs $291,500 Leadership PACs $186,500 Real estate $249,216 Real estate $123,598 Pro-Israel $185,500 Transportation unions $110,400 Health professionals $154,550 Lobbyists $109,344 Petroleum industry $137,950 Public sector unions $108,000 Misc. finance $137,500 Democratic/liberal $85,788 Lawyers/law firms $135,086 Shipping industry $85,385 Republican/conservative $101,664 Source: OpenSecrets

Predictions Source Ranking As of The Cook Political Report November 1, 2012 Sabato's Crystal Ball November 5, 2012 Rothenberg Political Report November 2, 2012 Real Clear Politics November 5, 2012

Polling Poll source MazieHirono (D) LindaLingle (R) UndecidedPublic Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling March 24–27, 2011 898 ±3.3% 52% 40% 9%Honolulu Star-AdvertiserHonolulu Star-Advertiser May 4–10, 2011 614 ±4.0% 57% 35% 8%Public Policy Polling October 13–16, 2011 568 ±4.1% 48% 42% 10%Civil Beat/Merriman RiverCivil Beat/Merriman River January 18–19, 2012 1,358 ±2.7% 46% 39% 16%Honolulu Star-AdvertiserHonolulu Star-Advertiser January 26 – February 5, 2012 771 ±3.5% 57% 37% 5%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling May 16–17, 2012 600 ±4.0% 50% 41% 9%Civil Beat/Merriman RiverCivil Beat/Merriman River June 5–7, 2012 1,105 ±2.9% 49% 44% 5%Honolulu Star-Advertiser July 12–21, 2012 756 ±3.6% 58% 39% 4%Civil Beat/Merriman RiverCivil Beat/Merriman River September 26–28, 2012 1,684 ±2.4% 55% 39% 6%Honolulu Star-AdvertiserHonolulu Star-Advertiser October 15–22, 2012 786 ±3.5% 57% 35% 8%Civil Beat/Merriman RiverCivil Beat/Merriman River October 24–26, 2012 1,218 ±2.8% 55% 40% 5%

Democratic primary Poll source EdCase ColleenHanabusa MufiHannemann MazieHirono BrianSchatz Don't Know/RefusedHonolulu Star-AdvertiserHonolulu Star-Advertiser May 4–10, 2011 403 ±4.9% 26% 15% 17% 25% 6% 11%

with Duke Aiona Poll source EdCase (D) DukeAiona (R) Undecided/OtherPublic Policy Polling March 24–27, 2011 898 ±3.3% 50% 35% 15%

Poll source MazieHirono (D) DukeAiona (R) Undecided/OtherPublic Policy Polling March 24–27, 2011 898 ±3.3% 49% 42% 10%

with Colleen Hanabusa Poll source ColleenHanabusa (D) DukeAiona (R) Undecided/OtherPublic Policy Polling March 24–27, 2011 898 ±3.3% 48% 43% 9%

Poll source ColleenHanabusa (D) CharlesDjou (R) Undecided/OtherPublic Policy Polling March 24–27, 2011 898 ±3.3% 50% 40% 10%

Poll source ColleenHanabusa (D) LindaLingle (R) Undecided/OtherPublic Policy Polling March 24–27, 2011 898 ±3.3% 51% 40% 9%Honolulu Star-Advertiser May 4–10, 2011 614 ±4.0% 54% 39% 7%

with Charles Djou Poll source EdCase (D) CharlesDjou (R) Undecided/OtherPublic Policy Polling March 24–27, 2011 898 ±3.3% 53% 35% 12%

Poll source MazieHirono (D) CharlesDjou (R) Undecided/OtherPublic Policy Polling March 24–27, 2011 898 ±3.3% 51% 40% 9%

With Mufi Hannemann Poll source MufiHannemann (D) CharlesDjou (R) Undecided/OtherPublic Policy Polling March 24–27, 2011 898 ±3.3% 46% 40% 14%

Poll source MufiHannemann (D) DukeAiona (R) Undecided/OtherPublic Policy Polling March 24–27, 2011 898 ±3.3% 42% 42% 16%

Poll source MufiHannemann (D) LindaLingle (R) Undecided/OtherPublic Policy Polling March 24–27, 2011 898 ±3.3% 47% 40% 14%Honolulu Star-Advertiser May 4–10, 2011 614 ±4.0% 51% 36% 13%

with Brian Schatz Poll source BrianSchatz (D) LindaLingle (R) Undecided/OtherHonolulu Star-Advertiser May 4–10, 2011 614 ±4.0% 47% 43% 10%

Poll source EdCase (D) JohnCarroll (R) Undecided/OtherPublic Policy Polling October 13–16, 2011 568 ±4.1% 60% 21% 18%

Poll source EdCase (D) LindaLingle (R) Undecided/OtherPublic Policy Polling March 24–27, 2011 898 ±3.3% 52% 35% 12%Honolulu Star-Advertiser May 4–10, 2011 614 ±4.0% 54% 36% 10%Public Policy Polling October 13–16, 2011 568 ±4.1% 43% 45% 12%Civil Beat/Merriman River January 18–19, 2012 1,358 ±2.7% 46% 33% 20%Honolulu Star-Advertiser January 26 – February 5, 2012 771 ±3.5% 56% 36% 8%Civil Beat/Merriman River June 5–7, 2012 1,105 ±2.9% 52% 36% 12%Honolulu Star-Advertiser July 12–21, 2012 756 ±3.6% 56% 38% 6%

Poll source MazieHirono (D) JohnCarroll (R) Undecided/OtherPublic Policy Polling October 13–16, 2011 568 ±4.1% 56% 29% 15%

Endorsements

Results

By county

CountyMazie HironoDemocraticLinda LingleRepublican#%#%Hawaii43,38369.0%19,49131.0%Honolulu174,63459.44%119,17640.56%Kauaʻi17,97371.59%7,13428.41%Maui33,16968.72%15,09631.28% Totals269,48962.6%160,99437.4%

By congressional district Hirono won both congressional districts. District Hirono Lingle Representative 59.94% 40.06%Colleen Hanabusa 65.24% 34.76%Tulsi Gabbard

See also 2012 United States Senate elections 2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Hawaii

References

External links Hawaii Office of the Elections Campaign contributions at OpenSecrets.org Outside spending at the Sunlight Foundation Candidate issue positions at On the Issues

Campaign sites (Archived) John Carroll for U.S. Senate Ed Case for U.S. Senate Mazie Hirono for U.S. Senate Linda Lingle for U.S. Senate Eddie Pirkowski for U.S. Senate