Hawai'i Is Sending A Woman To The Senate For The First Time Ever

The state of Hawaii is positioned to send its first woman to the Senate ever. Rep. Mazie Hirono won the Democratic primary, beating former Representative Ed Chase for the Senate nomination. Hirono will now face Republican Linda Lingle.

It will also be the second chance Hawaii voters have to decide a Hirono-Lingle challenge. Lingle beat Hirono for Governor in 2002 but this time around faces a very different race. It’s a presidential election year and Hawaii is Obama’s home state, so Democratic voters should turn out in large numbers in November.

Hirono’s congressional seat is in play, but likely to be won by Democrat Tulsi Gabbard.

EMILY’s List endorsed both Hirono and Gabbard and President Stephanie Schriock had this to say about the victories. “[The] primary victories show that voters in Hawai’i want strong, progressive leaders who will stand up for women and families. Mazie has worked tirelessly to expand opportunities for women in Hawai’i, Tulsi is a dynamic leader with a record of service to her country, and both women have incredible personal stories that resonated with voters. Mazie and Tulsi are extraordinary women, and the EMILY’s List community is thrilled to continue supporting their candidacies as they both move on to the general election in November.”

The fact that no matter who wins the match-up a woman is headed to Washington is a sign of progress. But gender alone isn’t enough to help push back the wave of attacks on women’s rights. Hirono is the only choice for voters who believe in equality and liberty for all Hawaiians.

Related Stories:

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Linda Lingle Announces Hawai’i Senate Run

Photo from USFWS Pacific via flickr.

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Sheri D.

2:05PM PDT on Aug 15, 2012

Good luck to Rep. Mazie Hirono.

August 15
send a green star

Ian F.

4:36AM PDT on Aug 15, 2012

I want to see women presiding all businesses and governments.
Men owe it to them and women already earn their right to leadership through being more responsible, more trustworthy, less corrupt and more punctual.

Arild W.

4:24AM PDT on Aug 15, 2012

Finally.

Patricia M.

10:52PM PDT on Aug 14, 2012

Yes, it is news and head way in a state whose Polynesian roots made sacrifices of their first born girl babies into the ocean for girl babies were not wanted and disposable... I believe this barbaric ritual only occurred if a daughter was first born & not a son... When the Christian missionaries came to the Islands such horrific traditions came to cease with time.

Now I know Hirono is of Japanese decent, but it is a start and, in todays' Hawaii few pure hawaiians exist any longer