By Colleen Hanabusa
As tonight’s election results have shown, Charles Djou will serve the remainder of the First Congressional Seat vacated by Neil Abercrombie.
With over 50% of the voters in Congressional District 1 turning out in what is the highest voter turnout in any Hawaii special election, it is clear that the people of Hawaii know the importance of this election in ensuring the people of Hawaii are properly represented in Congress.
I thank you, the voters, for your faith and hope in the future of Hawaii. Tonight is definitely not the final word on who represents you in Congress. I thank my supporters and the dozens of volunteers who have contributed countless hours to this campaign.
You are the core and spirit of this campaign. I am grateful and humbled by your unwavering support. Without you, we would not have able to reach out to over 75,000 voters in the district. Without you, these results would not have been possible.
Tonight, the voters of Congressional District 1 have spoken. The results prove that we can win when it really matters—the primary in September and the general election in November. Now is the time for all of us to re-engage and re-energize, because we are in it to win it!
Some told us that we shouldn’t be in this race. They told us to sit on the sidelines. They insisted that we were going to fail. But momentum has been on our side, and continues to build to our advantage. Tonight’s results are a clear statement that our votes are for Hawaii values and priorities, and Hawaii voters have voted for representation that they believe—that they know—that I am a viable candidate who will work across party lines and will work diligently with Hawaii’s best interest at heart and in mind. I have always had faith in the people of Hawaii, and am so very deeply encouraged by voters’ support and faith.
I welcome the task ahead of unifying Hawaii’s Democrats for the primary and general elections. I thank Senators Inouye and Akaka for their unwavering support in this journey of ensuring a better life for all in the state of Hawaii.
It is clear that despite the polls, the voters believe I am the more electable Democratic candidate who will stand strong for our values and priorities. Now is the time to reboot as we head straight into the primary election. I will continue campaigning as Hawaii’s favored Democratic candidate.
I said it before, and I’m saying it again, I’m in this race until the end, and I’m in this race to win. I thank you for your support thus far and humbly ask for your votes as we move into the Primary Election in September and the General Election in November.
This campaign is and always will be for the people of Hawaii. So thank you dear friends, for joining me on this journey, and continuing this journey with me.