The 2010 Hawaii gubernatorial election was held on November 2, 2010, to elect the next governor and lieutenant governor of Hawaii. Incumbent Republican governor Linda Lingle was term-limited and not eligible to run for re-election. The Democratic Party nominated Neil Abercrombie, and the Republican Party nominated incumbent lieutenant governor Duke Aiona. In the election, Abercrombie won and was sworn in as the state's 7th governor on December 6, 2010. Aiona later unsuccessfully ran for Governor of Hawaii in 2014 and 2022.
As of 2024, this was the last time the Republican candidate for governor received over 40% of the vote in Hawaii. This marked the first time since 1966 that both the governor and lieutenant governor of Hawaii were white and the first time both were born outside of Hawaii.
Democratic primary
Gubernatorial Neil Abercrombie, former U.S. representative and candidate for U.S. Senate in 1970 Mufi Hannemann, former Mayor of Honolulu, nominee for HI-01 in 1986, and candidate in 1990 Arturo P. (Art) Reyes Miles Shiratori Van K. Tanabe
Polling Poll source Dates administered Neil Abercrombie Mufi Hannemann UndecidedHonolulu Star-AdvertiserHonolulu Star-Advertiser August 10–17, 2010 49% 44% 8%Mason Dixon January 8–12, 2010 37% 34% 29%Research 2000Research 2000 June 15–17, 2009 42% 22% 36%
Lieutenant governor primary Eleven candidates ran for their political parties' nominations in the lieutenant governor primary election on September 18: seven Democrats, two Republicans, one independent, and one Free Energy Party candidate.
Candidates Lyla Berg, 59, Hawaiian state representative first elected in 2004 to represent the Kāhala area; former teacher and principal Robert Bunda, 63, state legislator since 1983: state representative from 1983 until 1994 and senator from 1994 until 2010; president of the Hawaii Senate for five years. Resigned from office to run for lieutenant governor. Steve Hirakami, 64, principal of a charter school in Pahoa, on the Big Island of Hawai'i Gary Hooser, 56, former state senator from Kauai. Campaign based largely on support of civil unions. Jon Riki Karamatsu, 35, state legislator first elected in 2002 to represent the Waipahu area; chairman of the state House Judiciary Committee Norman Sakamoto, 63, sitting state senator first elected in 1996 to represent the Kalihi, Salt Lake, and Pearl Ridge neighborhoods of Honolulu; chairman of the state Senate Education and Housing Committee; opponent of civil unions Brian Schatz, 37, former state legislator and former chairman of the Hawaiian Democratic Party. Resident of Honolulu.
Republican primary Duke Aiona, Lieutenant Governor of HawaiiAiona leads money race for 2010 governor's seat John Carroll, former state senator and representative
Lieutenant governor Lynn Finnegan, 39, state legislator since 2002; Republican leader in the State House since 2005. Resident of Aiea, Hawaii. Adrienne King, 62, lawyer for more than thirty years. Resident of Honolulu, daughter-in-law to judge Samuel Pailthorpe King.
Non-partisan primary Tony Clapes Paul Manner Thomas (Tom) W. Pollard, critical care Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine
Free Energy Party primary Daniel H. Cunningham
Lieutenant governor Deborah Spence, no age provided, campaigns for the revival of hemp, which she calls the "most utilitarian plant", for use as a cellulose and biofuel. Resident of Hilo.
Independent Leonard Kama, 67, retired security guard and deckhand campaigning on education and a reduction of homelessness. Resident of Kapolei.
General election
Predictions Source Ranking As of Cook Political Report October 14, 2010 Rothenberg October 28, 2010 RealClearPolitics November 1, 2010 Sabato's Crystal Ball October 28, 2010 CQ Politics October 28, 2010
Polling Poll source Dates administered Neil DukeAiona (R)Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling October 2–3, 2010 49% 47%Honolulu Star-AdvertiserHonolulu Star-Advertiser August 10–17, 2010 53% 41%Rasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports June 24, 2010 58% 32%Rasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports March 24, 2010 54% 31%Mason Dixon January 8–12, 2010 43% 34%Research 2000 June 15–17, 2009 45% 36%
Candidates Neil Abercrombie (D) Abercrombie's running mate was former state Democratic Party chairman Brian Schatz Duke Aiona (R) Aiona's running mate was State Rep. Lynn Finnegan Daniel Cunningham (FE) Cunningham's running mate was Deborah Spence Tom Pollard (I) Pollard's running mate was Leonard Kama
Results
By county CountyNeil AbercrombieDemocraticDuke AionaRepublicanAll Others#%#%#%Hawaii33,09561.99%19,80737.1%4840.9%Honolulu150,55456.9%112,52742.53%1,4920.57%Kauaʻi13,55959.82%8,95339.5%1560.69%Maui25,51660.85%16,02438.21%3960.94% Totals222,72458.22%157,31141.12%2,5280.66% Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic All 5
See also 2010 United States gubernatorial elections
References
External links Hawaii Office of Elections Hawaii Governor Candidates at Project Vote Smart Campaign contributions for 2010 Hawaii Governor from Follow the Money 2010 Hawaii Gubernatorial General Election graph of multiple polls from Pollster.com Election 2010: Hawaii Governor from Rasmussen Reports 2010 Hawaii Governor Race from Real Clear Politics 2010 Hawaii Governor's Race from CQ Politics Race Profile in The New York Times Official campaign websites (Archived) Neil Abercrombie Duke Aiona Mufi Hannemann