Hawaii Governor Josh Green Wins Re-election Over Businessman Rival

Hawaii’s incumbent governor retained his office on Tuesday.

Josh Green, a Democrat and practicing physician, defeated Republican challenger Gary Cordery in the state’s top executive race. The Associated Press reported Green received 237,747 votes, or 74 percent, while Cordery earned 81,947 votes, or 25 percent, when 79 percent of ballots were tallied.

Green has served as Hawaii’s governor since December 2022. He previously held the office of lieutenant governor from 2018 to 2022 and represented districts in both chambers of the state legislature. While chairing the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, he authored “Luke’s Law,” which mandated insurance coverage for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. He also led efforts to raise the legal purchase age for tobacco and e-cigarettes to 21. His campaign materials note a continued focus on expanding affordable housing.

Cordery is a businessman and real estate developer. He founded the Oahu-based construction firm Kingdom Builders in 1998 and co-founded the Aloha Freedom Coalition, an organization that advocated against government lockdowns and mandates. His campaign platform prioritized government transparency, tax reductions, homelessness solutions, and education reform, including school voucher programs.

The result concludes the gubernatorial contest in the Aloha State. No further rounds of voting are scheduled for this office.