Brian Schatz Wins Midterm Election Race Against Cam Cavasso

Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) easily beat Republican Cam Cavasso in the state's U.S. Senate race Tuesday. The victory is not surprising, considering Hawaii’s history as a Democratic stronghold and Schatz’s significant advantages in money and name recognition.

Schatz was appointed to the Senate in December 2012 by Governor Neil Abercrombie (D) to fill the opening left by the death of Sen. Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii). Abercrombie appointed Schatz, then his lieutenant governor, to replace the legendary senator until a special election could be held this year.

Abercrombie’s decision reverberated through the state’s Democratic Party, creating rifts among its members.

Inouye’s dying wish was for Rep. Colleen Hanabusa (D-Hawaii) to replace him in the Senate. By picking Schatz, Abercrombie made clear it was the beginning of a new era in Hawaii politics, one that would not be dictated by a war-hero senator.

This set the stage for what would become a bitter primary battle between Schatz and Hanabusa. The congresswoman felt she was slighted by Abercrombie and was not afraid to share that view with her supporters, many of whom remained fiercely loyal to Inouye.

But Schatz, as the de facto incumbent, was able to beat Hanabusa where it mattered most. He raised nearly $2 million more than the congresswoman.

He also received the support from the Democratic establishment, including an endorsement from President Barack Obama.

Schatz won the Democratic nomination by a slim margin in the August primary. Since then, Schatz’s campaign never really looked at Cavasso as a threat, ignoring his requests for debates and responding to his criticisms with silence.

This was Cavasso's third time running for the Senate.

With the win, Schatz will serve out the final two years of Inouye’s term.

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