Fil-Am beats Fil-Am in Hawaii Dem primary for state senate

Hawaii Democratic Party primary winner Brandon Elefante (center) celebrating victory over incumbent state senator Bennette Misalucha with family members and supporters. SCREENGRAB KITV

Termed-out Honolulu city councilman Brandon Elefante defeated incumbent state senator Bennette Misalucha by a big margin in the Aug. 13 Democratic Party primary for District 16’s Hawaii Senate seat.

Elefante’s 9,644 votes (70.9%) overwhelmed Misalucha’s 3,965 (29.1%).

Elefante will face Republican candidate Patricia Beekman in the general election, who ran unopposed in her party primary.

Although Elefante’s margin may seem like a big upset in most races, it was somewhat expected. Elefante is a very popular politician, who was in the Honolulu City Council for 8 years.

Misalucha, a mother of two, immigrated from the Philippines 40 years ago, was appointed in 2020 to the Senate District 16 seat in July and then elected to remain in the position in November.

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