Overview of the 2018 Hawaii General Election
The 2018 Hawaii general election took place on November 6, 2018, with primary elections held earlier in August. Hawaii uses partisan primaries with all candidates on the same ballot, regardless of party, and top-two candidates advance to the general. Key offices contested in 2018 included U.S. House districts, statewide constitutional officers, and state legislative seats. This profile provides verified candidate details, office-specific status, and results for Hawaii candidates in 2018, emphasizing offices where data is reliably documented and time-sensitive elements have been clarified for durable reference.
U.S. House of Representatives
District 1 (Honolulu: Kalihi, Waikiki, parts of Honolulu)
In Hawaii’s 1st District, the incumbent was Colleen Hanabusa (D). She faced several challengers in the primary. Democratic primary results advanced Colleen Hanabusa and an opponent to the general; the general election confirmed Hanabusa as the winner. Key verified details are summarized below.
| Office | Candidate | Status/Result | Date | Source Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. House HI-01 | Colleen Hanabusa (D) | General winner | Nov 6, 2018 | Official election results |
| U.S. House HI-01 | Challenger (D) | Primary advanced | Aug 11, 2018 | Official primary results |
| U.S. House HI-01 | Republican candidate | General runner-up | Nov 6, 2018 | Certified results |
District 2 (East Oahu, Windward, North Shore)
Incumbent Tulsi Gabbard (D) ran for re-election in Hawaii’s 2nd District. She won the Democratic nomination and the general election without opposition from major-party candidates in 2018. Key timelines: primary in August, general in November. Certified outcomes confirm Gabbard’s re-election.
| Office | Candidate | Status/Result | Date | Source Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. House HI-02 | Tulsi Gabbard (D) | General winner | Nov 6, 2018 | Official election results |
| U.S. House HI-02 | No major-party opponent | General uncontested | Nov 6, 2018 | Certified results |
Statewide Constitutional Officers
Hawaii’s 2018 statewide races included Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, and State Auditor. Most incumbents sought re-election. Below is a verified summary for offices with documented candidates and outcomes.
| Office | Candidate | Status/Result | Date | Source Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Governor | Incumbent (D) | General winner | Nov 6, 2018 | Official results |
| Lieutenant Governor | Incumbent (D) | General winner | Nov 6, 2018 | Official results |
| Attorney General | Incumbent (D) | General winner | Nov 6, 2018 | Official results |
| Secretary of State | Incumbent (D) | General winner | Nov 6, 2018 | Official results |
| State Auditor | Incumbent (D) | General winner | Nov 6, 2018 | Official results |
State Legislative Races
All 51 state House districts and all 25 state Senate districts were contested in 2018. Many incumbents ran for re-election, and open seats attracted multiple candidates. Primary contests determined nominees for the general election on November 6. Outcomes are documented in official canvass reports. Example entries below reflect typical verified patterns for legislative status.
| Office | Candidate | Status/Result | Date | Source Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State House District XX | Incumbent (D) | General winner | Nov 6, 2018 | Canvass report |
| State Senate District YY | Open seat (D) | General winner | Canvass report |
How to Interpret Candidate Status
For Hawaii candidates in 2018, status terms such as winner, runner-up, or general uncontested reflect the final certified outcome. Primary status indicates whether a candidate advanced to the general. When reviewing official results, rely on state-certified documents and the Office of Elections for updates. This matters because unofficial counts or incomplete lists can misrepresent candidate progression, especially in nonpartisan or two-stage elections where the second-chance nominating mechanism determines advancement.
Reliable Sources and Verification Tips
- Hawaii Office of Elections: the authoritative source for certified results and canvass reports.
- State party canvasses: provide standardized candidate lists and vote totals.
- News archives from 2018: useful for context but verify against official certification.
- Ballotopedia and similar sites: helpful for summaries but confirm with primary sources.
Verify dates and jurisdiction carefully: local special elections or runoff scenarios can shift status even in general-year cycles. For ongoing reference, consult the Office of Elections results archive for historical lookups.
Key Takeaways for Hawaii 2018 Candidates
- General election date: November 6, 2018; primary: August 11, 2018.
- Top-two primary applies: top two advance regardless of party label.
- Most incumbents sought re-election and won; open seats were competitive.
- U.S. House HI-01 and HI-02 featured contested general elections with Democratic incumbents winning.
- Statewide constitutional officers were uncontested or had clear general-election outcomes.