Blue State Governor Cruises to Victory After Catastrophic Wildfire Response

Liberty Check

• Democratic Hawaii Governor Josh Green defeated three primary challengers despite presiding over devastating Lahaina wildfire that killed 102 Americans
• Green outspent all opponents combined by massive margin, raising $3.5 million while Republican challenger managed only $313,000
• Hawaii hasn’t elected a Republican governor since 2010, cementing one-party rule in the Aloha State

Democratic Hawaii Gov. Josh Green sailed to an easy primary victory Saturday, defeating three little-known challengers as he seeks a second term leading the Aloha State.

Green, first elected in 2022, entered the unusual Saturday primary with establishment backing and a massive financial advantage. Cook Political Report rates the general election race as heavily favoring Democrats by 13 points.

The governor’s primary opponents were David “Duke” Bourgoin, George “Teva” Lucas-Tadeo—a self-described Democratic socialist—and Lauren Kapoliahiʻiaka Shim. None of the three mounted serious campaigns.

Bourgoin previously challenged Green in 2022, capturing a mere 590 votes compared to Green’s 158,161. He also lost two consecutive bids for Honolulu mayor in 2022 and 2024.

Lucas-Tadeo, riding the wave of far-left Democratic Socialists gaining ground nationally, failed to resonate with Hawaii Democrats despite promising publicly-run grocery stores and marijuana legalization through Instagram posts. Neither Lucas-Tadeo nor Shim maintained campaign websites.

The financial disparity in the race was staggering. None of Green’s three challengers had raised any money as of June 30, according to Honolulu Civil Beat.

Meanwhile, Green amassed approximately $3.5 million in campaign funds, dwarfing even Republican Gary Cordery, the race’s second-highest fundraiser, who managed only about $313,000.

Hawaii hasn’t elected a Republican governor since Linda Lingle left office in 2010, cementing Democratic control of the state. In typical election cycles, the Democratic primary attracts candidates with strong name recognition—in 2022, challengers included Rep. Kai Kahele and former first lady Vicky Cayetano.

“His policies have been fairly popular, there hasn’t been anything he’s done that’s really created a pushback,” John Hart, a communication professor at Hawaiʻi Pacific University, told Civil Beat.

“So, why would you throw your hat in the ring on a suicide run when there are other offices that are more achievable?”

Green defended his administration’s response to major disasters, including the devastating 2023 Lahaina wildfire that killed 102 people and flooding from March Kona low storms that caused over $1 billion in damage.

“We were very present and I think pretty competent and compassionate in our response and we heard from a lot of people—both politicians and just, people—that they appreciated that,” Green told Civil Beat.

“It just didn’t create a scenario in which another Democrat thought it made sense to run against us. I didn’t set out to get into fights with people, I really just tried to do this job. So, It didn’t create the usual opening where there was a big divide where people would come after me.”

The Lahaina wildfire remains one of the deadliest natural disasters in recent American history, raising questions about state preparedness and emergency response systems. Green will face Republican nominee Gary Cordery in the November general election.

Americans deserve better.