Why It Matters
A long-serving Hawaii lawmaker has abandoned her congressional campaign to pursue the state’s second-highest office, a shift triggered by a criminal bribery investigation that pushed Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke out of the race. The move reshapes both the lieutenant governor contest and the Democratic primary for Hawaii’s First Congressional District.
What Happened
State Rep. Della Au Belatti announced Thursday she is ending her bid for Congress and will instead run for lieutenant governor. The decision came after Luke withdrew from reelection last month while facing scrutiny in a state bribery probe. Luke has since been named a target in the investigation, which involves allegations that $35,000 was given to an influential lawmaker in 2022. She has taken unpaid leave from her position.
Belatti, who has served nearly 20 years in the Hawaii House, said the political landscape changed fundamentally when Luke exited the race. She cited recent passage of Senate Bill 2471, an anti-corruption measure targeting dark money in state elections, as motivation to remain in Hawaii rather than seek federal office.
By the Numbers
Belatti has served in the Hawaii House for nearly two decades. The bribery investigation centers on $35,000 allegedly given to a lawmaker in 2022. The candidate filing deadline is less than a week away. If elected to Congress, Belatti would have been one of 535 members in a body where Hawaii holds limited influence.
The Races Ahead
Belatti will now face Kauai Mayor Derek Kawakami in the Democratic primary for lieutenant governor. Kawakami announced his candidacy in March and has backing from For A Better Tomorrow, a well-funded super PAC linked to the Hawaii carpenters union and the pro-development Pacific Resource Partnership.
Belatti, who works as a lawyer for Honolulu civil rights attorney Eric Seitz, has pledged not to accept corporate PAC money and is exploring public financing for her campaign. She positioned herself similarly during her congressional run, emphasizing grassroots support over special-interest funding.
Congressional Primary Cleared
By withdrawing from the First Congressional District race, Belatti clears the Democratic primary field for state Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole to challenge incumbent U.S. Rep. Ed Case without splitting the anti-Case vote in a three-way contest.
Keohokalole has secured endorsements from several labor unions and former Gov. Neil Abercrombie. He has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars from prominent donors, including former aides to the late U.S. Sen. Dan Inouye, island lobbyists, and major business interests such as Alexander & Baldwin and Matson. Keohokalole had previously acknowledged that winning a crowded primary would be more difficult.
What’s Next
The candidate filing deadline is approaching within days. Both the lieutenant governor and congressional primaries will be decided in Hawaii’s August Democratic primary. The lieutenant governor position, while largely ceremonial, serves as successor to the governor and presides over the state Senate.
Belatti said she intends to bring an independent voice to the executive branch if elected, focusing on anti-corruption and good government reforms. The outcome will test whether grassroots messaging can compete against well-funded PAC support in Hawaii’s Democratic primary.