Gabbard won’t seek reelection; will focus on presidential race
U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii doubled down on her long-shot presidential campaign, announcing she wouldn’t also run for reelection in her congressional district where a state senator is mounting a spirited push to take her seat.
The 38-year-old Democrat said the threats of war, international tensions and the threats of a new cold war convinced her she should focus on the presidential race.
“I believe I can best serve the people of Hawaii and our country as your president and commander in chief,” she said in a video recording released online early Friday on the East Coast and late Thursday in the islands.
Her congressional district spans Honolulu’s suburbs and seven other islands. Its disparate communities include sprawling cattle ranches on the Big Island, posh oceanfront resorts on Maui and Native Hawaiian hunters and fishermen on Molokai.
Kai Kahele, a Democratic state senator, combat veteran and lieutenant colonel in the Hawaii Air National Guard, has been running for the seat, accusing her of neglecting the district while she campaigns for president.
Kahele said he respects and appreciates Gabbard’s decision.
“I thank her for her service, and I wish her and her family the best going forward,” he said in a statement after her announcement.
John Hart, a professor of communication at Hawaii Pacific University, anticipates multiple other candidates to join Kahele. “I think the gates are open and we’ll see a lot of people jumping in,” Hart said.
Jill Tokuda, a former state senator who finished second in the Democratic primary for lieutenant governor last year, is among those considering it.
Colin Moore, a University of Hawaii political science professor, said Gabbard’s move, while unusual, was not surprising. “I think the bigger question is what is it that she is trying to accomplish here? I don’t think anyone fully understands that,” Moore said.