Republicans gain seats in state legislature

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Republicans not only won the White House and is on the verge of taking control of both houses of Congress; the party made significant gains locally as well.
The state Senate now has three Republicans, while the House has nine members — the most in the Republican Caucus in the past 20 years.
Newly elected members include Rep. Chris Muraoka (District 45: Waianae, Makaha); Rep. Julie Reyes Oda (District 40: Portions of Lower Village and ‘Ewa Beach, Iroquois Point); and Garner Musashi Shimizu (District 32: Fort Shafter, Moanalua, Aliamanu, Foster Village, portions of Aiea and Halawa). Samantha DeCorte joins the Senate, after defeating Cedric Gates in the race for the District 22 seat vacated by Maile Shimabukuro who retires this year.
State Representative and House Minority Leader Lauren Matsumoto joined HNN’s Sunrise to talk about plans for the next legislative session.
Matsumoto, who represents District 38′s portions of Mililani and Waipio Acres and Mililani Mauka, says GOP lawmakers’ listening tour of the islands allowed them to engage with residents.
Matsumoto said greater party balance in the legislature is better for communities.
Returning members include Rep. Diamond Garcia (District 42: portions of Varona Village, Ewa, and Kapolei, Fernandez Village), Minority Floor Leader; Rep. Elijah Pierick (District 39: Royal Kunia, portion of Waipahu, Honouliuli, portion of Lower Village), Minority Whip; Rep. Kanani Souza (District 43: Kapolei, Makakilo), Policy Leader; Rep. David Alcos (District 41: Portion of Ewa Beach, Ocean Pointe, Barbers Point), Assistant Minority Leader, and the most senior member Rep. Gene Ward (District 18: Hawaii Kai).
Copyright 2024 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.