HAWAII — The Associated Press projected that Rep. Ed Case defeated his primary challenger in Hawaii's 1st District on Saturday. With 91% of the vote counted, Case held a nearly 14-point lead over state Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole.

Case, 73, has represented Hawaii's 1st Congressional District since 2019. The district includes Honolulu and other parts of Oʻahu. He previously represented Hawaii's 2nd District from 2002 to 2007. His opponent, Keohokalole, is 43 years old.

Keohokalole criticized Case for voting to send military aid to Israel. US Representative Ed Case voted against a proposed ban on $3 billion in security aid to Israel. Keohokalole also criticized Case for supporting an earlier version of President Trump's SAVE America Act. Case was one of three Democrats in the House to vote for an earlier version of the SAVE America Act.

I did not support the latest version of the SAVE America Act, Case told Hawaii News Now. This distinction marked a shift in his position regarding the legislation during the campaign.

Case will face Republican Adriel Lam in the general election in November. Lam was unopposed in the Republican primary on Saturday. The result in Hawaii contrasts with trends seen elsewhere, as Democratic incumbents in safe districts in New York and Colorado were ousted by primary challengers earlier this year.

Voters in Hawaii also selected nominees for statewide offices on Saturday. Hawaii Gov. Josh Green secured the Democratic nomination after facing three nominal challengers. Gary Cordery won the Republican primary for governor on Saturday. Gov. Josh Green will face Republican Gary Cordery in the general election in November.

The primary outcome determines who will represent Hawaii's 1st Congressional District, which covers the urban core of Honolulu, in the next Congress. Case's victory maintains Democratic control of the seat but follows a cycle where several incumbents in safe districts faced successful primary challenges. The general election matchup against Lam will test whether the district remains solidly Democratic or if the primary contest signals broader voter dissatisfaction.

Why It Matters

Case's victory preserves Democratic control of Hawaii's 1st District, contrasting with recent primary defeats of incumbents in safe seats elsewhere. The outcome validates Case's legislative record on Israel aid and the SAVE America Act against challenges from within his own party. This result sets a November general election matchup against Republican Adriel Lam for the Honolulu-based seat.