CNN 100: The GOP has a good shot to win in Hawaii

By: CNN's Molly Levinson

Editor's Note: In the final 100 days before Election Day, CNN has been profiling one race at random each day from among the nation's top 100 House races, which we've dubbed "The CNN 100." Read the full list here.

Today's featured district is HI 01: Rep. Charles Djou (R) is fighting to keep the seat he won in a special election.

Primary: September 18, 2010.  Days until the election: 13

This race is a little quirky. Hawaii's first congressional district, former home to President Barack Obama, longtime Democratic district, but the GOP has a great shot at keeping this seat. Why? Well – a couple reasons: foremost being that this year seems to be the year where the impossible becomes possible in Hawaii politics: a Republican, Charles Djou, won the special election for former Democratic Rep. Neil Abercrombie's seat and now, when Democrat Colleen Hanabusa is trying to take it back, Djou is well-positioned to keep the seat.

Just about everything in this race is nasty: the candidates zing each other in debates, there are negative ads saturating the airwaves (funded by the candidates and party committees). The internal politics of the race are pretty nasty as well, with just about anyone who is anyone in Hawaii politics jumping into the fray, slinging endorsements.

Both candidates are pretty well funded (they each raised over $2 million by the end of September) and, aided by the party committees, they have money in the bank to take them through election day.

Turnout will play a huge role here – Djou needs all of the GOP vote (obviously) and if he makes inroads with independents, that could take him over the top. Hanabusa will have to rally all of her troops to win.

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