The 2016 United States Senate election in Hawaii was held November 8, 2016, concurrently with the 2016 U.S. presidential election as well as other elections to the United States Senate and House of Representatives and various state and local elections. The primaries were held August 13. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Brian Schatz won reelection to his first full term in office, defeating Republican former state legislator John Carroll.
Background In 2011, Daniel Inouye announced that he planned to run for a record tenth term in 2016, when he would have been 92 years old. He also said, "I have told my staff and I have told my family that when the time comes, when you question my sanity or question my ability to do things physically or mentally, I don't want you to hesitate, do everything to get me out of here, because I want to make certain the people of Hawaii get the best representation possible."
Inouye died on December 17, 2012. Hawaii Governor Neil Abercrombie appointed Lieutenant Governor Brian Schatz, a Democrat, to succeed Inouye. Schatz won a 2014 special election to serve the remainder of Inouye's term.
Democratic primary Candidates Declared Makani Christensen Tutz Honeychurch Arturo Reyes, perennial candidate Brian Schatz, incumbent senator Miles Shiratori
Declined Colleen Hanabusa, former U.S. Representative and candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2014 (running for HI-01) Mark Takai, U.S. Representative (died) Tulsi Gabbard, U.S. Representative (running for reelection)
Former Daniel Inouye, U.S. Senator from Hawaii (1963–2012), U.S. Representative for Hawaii's at-large congressional district (1959–1963). Inouye had declared his intent to run for re-election to a record tenth term, but he died in office on December 17, 2012.
Results
Republican primary Candidates Declared John Carroll, former State Senator, former State Representative, nominee for US Senate in 2000 and perennial candidate Karla Gottschalk, attorney Eddie Pirkowski, perennial candidate John Roco, perennial candidate
Withdrew Charles Collins, candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2012 and for Governor of Hawaii in 2014
Declined Cam Cavasso, former state representative and Republican nominee for the U.S. Senate in 2004, 2010, and 2014 Charles Djou, former U.S. Representative (running for Mayor of Honolulu)
Results
Other primaries Libertarian Candidates Declared Michael Kokoski, nominee for the U.S. Senate in 2014
Results
Constitution Candidates Declared Joy Allison, independent candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2014
Results
American Shopping Candidates Declared John Giuffre
Results
General election Schatz defeated Carroll on election day, winning his second election to the U.S. Senate and his first full term after being appointed to the seat in 2012 following the death of Daniel Inouye. This was his largest margin of victory, as he won over 4% more of the electorate in this election.
Fundraising Candidate Raised Spent Cash on Hand Brian Schatz (D) $3,316,074 $1,195,572 $3,074,380 John Carroll (R)
Predictions Source Ranking As of The Cook Political Report November 2, 2016 Sabato's Crystal Ball November 7, 2016 Rothenberg Political Report November 3, 2016 Daily Kos November 8, 2016 Real Clear Politics November 7, 2016
Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror BrianSchatz (D) JohnCarroll (R) UndecidedSurveyMonkeySurveyMonkey November 1–7, 2016 426 ± 4.6% 70% 26% 4%SurveyMonkeySurveyMonkey October 31–November 6, 2016 426 ± 4.6% 67% 29% 4%SurveyMonkeySurveyMonkey October 28–November 3, 2016 435 ± 4.6% 68% 26% 6%SurveyMonkeySurveyMonkey October 27–November 2, 2016 424 ± 4.6% 70% 26% 4%SurveyMonkeySurveyMonkey October 26–November 1, 2016 428 ± 4.6% 70% 26% 4%SurveyMonkeySurveyMonkey October 25–31, 2016 467 ± 4.6% 69% 27% 4%
Results
By county
CountyBrian SchatzDemocraticJohn CarrollRepublicanAll Others#%#%#%Hawaii47,00374.59%12,76620.26%3,2465.15%Honolulu203,37272.98%64,93923.3%10,3453.71%Kauaʻi19,01576.13%4,74519.0%1,2164.87%Maui37,21474.55%10,20320.44%2,4985.01% Totals306,60473.6%92,65322.24%17,3054.15%
By congressional district Schatz won both congressional districts. District Schatz Carroll Representative 74%22%Colleen Hanabusa 73% 22%Tulsi Gabbard
References
External links Official campaign websites Brian Schatz (D) for Senate John Roco (R) for Senate