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Rep. Case faces primary challenge over votes with Republicans in Hawaii's 1st District
Incumbent Ed Case (D), Della Au Belatti (D), Jarrett Keohokalole (D), and two other candidates are running in the Democratic primary for Hawaii's 1st Congressional District on August 8, 2026. As of May 2026, Case, Belatti, and Keohokalole led in fundraising and local media attention.
Spectrum Local News' Michael Tsai said, "While it is relatively rare for an incumbent of Case's standing to face significant opposition in the primary, Case has drawn fire from within his own party for voting in support of Republican initiatives, including the so-called SAVE Act, which requires documented proof of citizenship to register to vote."
The Honolulu Star-Advertiser's Dan Nakaso said both Keohokalole and Belatti, who consider themselves more left-leaning than Case, could split the progressive Democratic voters in the primary, making it easier for Case to win a plurality on Aug. 8. Case was first elected to the U.S. House in 2002.