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The 2014 HI Democratic Senate Primary, a contest between appointed Incumbent Brian Schatz and U.S. Representative Colleen Hanabusa was a tence and close affair that resulted in Schatz winning the seat on his own terms even as his appointer—Neil Abercrombie—lost renomination.
One of the more liberal members of the senate, Schatz's appointment was not without controversy, as the longtime titan of Hawaii Politics Daniel Inouye—while dying—requested Abercrombie appoint Hannabusa to his seat.
However, Abercrombie, due to a prior falling out with Inouye and the Hawaii Democratic Party establishment, appointed his Lieutenant Governor and Political Ally Brian Schatz to the position instead.
At this, Inouye's inner circle as well as recently retired Senator Daniel Akaka, sought to oust Schatz with Hanabusa, receiving the support of Woman advocacy organization and Pro-Choice EMILY's list they sought to take out Schatz from the senate.
At this, Schatz wouldn't take the challenge lying down; receiving the support of Washington institutions like Harry Reid, Environmental groups, and Hawaii home-town-boy President Barrack Obama, thereby allowing Schatz was able to out-raise and outspend Hanabusa.
On primary day, however, a tropical storm went through two parts Hawaii, preventing two precincts from voting—they later did preserving Schatz's lead; allowing him to cruise to reelection in the 2014 General election.
Looking at the Demographics of his win, Schatz performed strongly in Urban Honolulu and with whites throughout the islands, while Hanabusa did well—without landsliding—the native Hawaiian and Japanese American communities; something helped by her support by Akaka and the late Inouye's circles.
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