DGA Statement on Governor David Ige’s Primary Victory in Hawaii

News Release from Democratic Governors Association, August 12, 2018

Today, Democratic Governors Association Chair Gov. Jay Inslee (D-WA) released the following statement about Governor David Ige’s primary victory in Hawaii:

“Congratulations to Governor David Ige on his primary victory in Hawaii,” said Inslee. “Under Governor Ige’s strong leadership, Hawaii now has the lowest unemployment rate in the country, while investing in infrastructure and a clean energy economy. Governor Ige has invested in Hawaii’s children, installing 1,300 air conditioners in classrooms and working with educators to tailor classes to student needs.

“I’ve been proud to work with Governor Ige to lead the charge in fighting back against President Trump’s immigration policies and his administration's rollback of environmental protections. I congratulate the Governor on his nomination and look forward to working with him as a leading Democratic governor.”

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DGA Statement on the Republican Primary in Hawaii

Today, Democratic Governors Association Executive Director Elisabeth Pearson released the following statement on state Rep. Andria Tupola’s gubernatorial nomination in Hawaii:

“Andria Tupola would be nothing more than a rubber stamp for the Trump agenda,” said Pearson. “Rep. Tupola proudly took selfies with President Trump and said that ‘we can mirror’ his policies in Hawaii. Hawaii needs a governor who will lead the state forward, not one who will mirror Donald Trump’s policies in the Aloha State.”

Background:

State Rep. Tupola Proudly Greeted President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump When They Visited Hawaii. According to KITV, “Also among those that came face to face with the President was State Representative Andria Tupola. She got the chance to take a selfie with First Lady Melania Trump.  ‘It’s not every day that you get to shake the President of the United States’ hand or take a selfie with the First Lady,’ Tupola said.”

[KITV, 11/6/17]

State Rep. Tupola Praised Trump’s State of the Union and His Policies, “The President Pointed Out a Number of Federal Policies That We Can Mirror on the State Level.”According to a press release from  State Rep. Tupola, “Representative Tupola responds to President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address this evening saying, ‘The President pointed out a number of federal policies that we can mirror on the state level.’ {…} Economic growth and low unemployment rates were also topics of the President’s speech. Representative Tupola said that, ‘The Hawaii workforce is already beginning to benefit from federal tax cuts. I look forward to tax reform on the local and state level in order to give more money back to the people.’ [State Rep. Tupola press release, 1/30/18]

Tupola, Out of Loyalty to Trump, Voted to Oust the GOP Minority Leader Fukumoto Over Her “Criticism of President Donald Trump.” According to the Honolulu Star Advertiser,  “Republicans in the state House of Representatives have ousted their minority leader Rep. Beth Fukumoto over her criticism of President Donald Trump, including recent comments that she made at the Women’s March in Honolulu last month. {…} During a closed door session, House Republicans voted 3-2 to remove her from leadership. Voting in favor of the leadership reorganization were Reps. Gene Ward, Bob McDermott and Andria Tupola. {...} “Replacing Fukumoto as minority leader is Tupola. Ward takes the place of minority floor leader.” [Honolulu Star Advertiser, 2/1/17]