Dem establishment strikes back as longtime incumbent fends off progressive challenger

Rep. Ed Case Wins Democratic Primary in Hawaii’s 1st District

Rep. Ed Case secured the Democratic nomination for Hawaii’s 1st Congressional District on Saturday, defeating state Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole and several other challengers. Case received 60 percent of the vote compared with 36.1 percent for Keohokalole, according to certified primary results.

Case, who represented the district from 2002 to 2007 and returned to Congress in 2018, faced his most significant primary opposition this cycle. Keohokalole, a member of the Hawaii Senate since 2014, positioned the race as a contest over the incumbent’s record on federal policy during President Donald Trump’s second term. Both candidates raised substantial funds, though Case maintained a larger cash reserve entering the final weeks.

Keohokalole criticized Case for insufficient opposition to Trump administration immigration enforcement actions. The challenger also highlighted Case’s vote in April 2025 for the initial version of the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, one of four House Democrats to support that measure. The bill proposed federal voter identification requirements and proof of citizenship for voter registration, with an affidavit option for those lacking documentation.

Case stated in an interview with Hawaii News Now that he does not vote in lockstep with party leadership. On the topic of noncitizen voting, he said the measure addressed a distinct issue separate from voter suppression concerns. “This has nothing to do with voter suppression,” Case said. “Now, those are fears and there are legitimate fears, and I accept those concerns.”

Keohokalole described the legislation as addressing a nonexistent problem, telling the same outlet that “there is no security problem in our election system.” Case later voted against a subsequent version of the bill, known as the SAVE America Act, aligning with the majority of House Democrats. That measure sought broader federal oversight of state voter rolls.

The 1st District, which includes portions of Oahu and the city of Honolulu, carries a Cook Political Report partisan rating of D+13. Case will face Republican nominee Adriel Lam in the November general election.

Case’s primary victory continues a pattern in which several House incumbents have prevailed against progressive challengers in recent cycles, though outcomes have varied by district and candidate. Fundraising reports filed with the Federal Election Commission showed both Case and Keohokalole drawing support from national donor networks, with the incumbent benefiting from established relationships with party committees and business-oriented contributors.

Hawaii’s primary process requires candidates to secure a majority or advance through ranked-choice procedures in some local races, but the congressional contest was decided by plurality. Turnout in the August primary was consistent with recent off-year voting patterns in the state. Case’s campaign emphasized his committee work on appropriations and local infrastructure priorities, while Keohokalole focused on generational change and alignment with national progressive policy positions.

The general election contest is scheduled for November.