By Andy Sullivan
Aug 8 (Reuters) – The ideological divide roiling U.S. Democratic politics moves to Hawaii on Saturday, where voters will decide whether to nominate a seasoned lawmaker to another term in Congress or pick a younger, more left-wing candidate.
U.S. Representative Ed Case, 73, faces a challenge for the Democratic nomination from Jarrett Keohokalole, 43, a state senator who has argued the incumbent is too close to corporate interests.
Keohokalole is also calling for expanded government healthcare and limiting aid to Israel, in line with other progressive candidates who have won Democratic primaries in Michigan, New York and Colorado this year.
The outcome will not likely affect Democrats’ chances of winning control of the House of Representatives in the November midterm elections, as the Honolulu-based district is seen as safely Democratic.
Case has held the seat since 2019, and also served in the House between 2002 and 2007. A moderate who holds a senior position on a key spending committee, Case has argued that Hawaii will attract fewer federal dollars if he is not reelected. Keohokalole has highlighted Case’s campaign donations from businesses to argue he has lost touch with voters.
If he wins, Keohokalole would be the latest progressive challenger to capitalize on Democratic voters’ frustration with party leaders who they view as too old, too close to Israel, and unable to effectively oppose Republican President Donald Trump. But Case could draw support from independent and Republican voters, who can vote in primary contests in Hawaii.
(Reporting by Andy Sullivan. Editing by Michael Learmonth and Rod Nickel)
