House Speaker’s political future uncertain as he faces another tough primary challenge

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – The future of one of the state’s most influential politicians will be decided in the August 10 primary election.

House Speaker Scott Saiki defeated lawmaker Kim Coco Iwamoto by fewer than 200 votes in the two previous elections — and is once again campaigning hard against him.

The 25th Ward from Bishop Street to Keeaumoku is small geographically, but the political stakes are as high as its buildings. If the powerful House Speaker is defeated in this tough campaign territory, it could shake up state government.

Iwamoto said her interactions with voters have been encouraging.

“This year, so many of my neighbors said, ‘You got this, it’s time for a change,’” she said. Iwamoto is a civil rights attorney and former elected school board member who ran unsuccessfully for lieutenant governor and state senator before launching three campaigns against Saiki.

In 2020, she lost to Saiki by 167 votes, and in 2022 by 161 votes.

Saiki is backed by the governor and other top politicians, which Iwamoto said shows he is rooted. “I think the status quo in Hawaii is threatened by this,” she said.

“You know, I don’t represent the status quo, I represent the people — regular people who have bills to pay, you know, who are often subjugated or ignored by those in power. Saiki says both his campaign fundraising and the string of endorsements are a boost to his success.”

Saiki said he has “had great success in establishing partnerships between local elected officials, the governor, the mayor, state and county agencies, and even organizations outside of government.”

This will be the most expensive fight in the campaign for the House of Representatives.

At the end of June, Saiki had spent $227,091 and Iwamoto $109,183.

These expenses have resulted in residents of high-rise buildings being inundated with mail and other media materials.

One of Iwamoto’s fliers claims that Saiki failed to prevent the condo insurance crisis. Saiki says he is working with the governor to resolve the crisis.

Saiki touts a major tax relief bill that Iwamoto says won’t last long.

“Once the election is held, all these tax cuts will be reversed. And this is where I get really angry, really angry, that they think that… Saiki and all these other people who are pushing this at the last minute think that voters are that stupid? It’s so insulting,” Iwamoto said.

Saiki responded, “Hawaii families are going to see significant, significant decreases in the amount they pay in taxes as a result of this law. It’s going to be phased in over seven years. You know, while I’m there, I’m not, I’m not going to repeal it.”

The expense of campaigning in high-rise buildings and the power of the speaker meant that Iwamoto was the only candidate willing to challenge him.

Since both are Democrats, the winner will be decided next Saturday.