Maui’s Bertram loses House seat, but Mililani’s Lee remains
Democratic incumbent Joe Bertram lost his south Maui seat in the state House, as Republican challenger George Fontaine won by 172 votes.
State Rep. Marilyn Lee of District 38 (Mililani, Mililani Mauka), meanwhile, retained her seat by a mere 17-vote margin over 25-year-old Republican challenger Shaun Kawakami.
The two results were included in the "uncertified final report" released this morning by the state Office of Elections.
If the results are certified, the GOP would gain two House seats but still be outnumbered by Democrats, 43-8. In the state Senate, Sen. Sam Slom beat Democratic challenger Larry Price (not the radio personality) for District 8 (Kahala, Hawaii Kai). But Slom will be the sole Republican in the Senate because the GOP lost Senate District 25 (Kailua, Waimanalo, Hawaii Kai). Senate Minority Leader Fred Hemmings retired from office and Democratic candidate Pohai Ryan topped Virginia Enos.
"Whatever we gotta do, we will do, but the Republican voice will be heard," Slom said.
Sen. Jill Tokuda (D, Kailua-Kaneohe) beat Republican challenger Tracy Nakano Bean.
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Donovan Dela Cruz, now on the City Council, will be a state senator. He beat Republican opponent Charles Aki in District 22 (North Shore, Wahiawa.)
In the House, Republicans will keep Lynn Finnegan’s vacated seat for District 32 (Waimalu, Aliamanu, Airport), with Aaron Johanson topping Democratic candidate Lei Sharsh.
GOP candidate Gil Riviere takes the vacated District 46 seat (Kahuku, North Shore, Schofield) of Rep. Michael Magaoay, who unsuccessfully ran for state Senate in the primary. Riviere beat Democratic challenger Larry Sagaysay.
In District 33 (Halawa-Aiea-Pearlridge), Democratic incumbent Blake Oshiro overcame Republican challenger and small-businessman Sam Kong.