Contractor Gary Cordery Secures GOP Nomination for Hawaii Governor's Race

Gary Cordery, owner of a contracting firm, emerged as the Republican candidate for Hawaii governor after beating Ken Fujiyama in the recent primary. He will contest the November election against incumbent Democrat Josh Green, who enjoys a strong advantage and a Cook Political Report rating of Solid Democratic. The race is historically challenging for Republicans, as the state has not elected a GOP governor since Linda Lingle left office in 2010.

Green has raised roughly $3.5 million, dwarfing Cordery's approximately $313,000 war chest. Cordery's platform promises to cut the high cost of living, overhaul education, and tackle corruption, including proposals for 15,000 new homes, tax relief on food and medicine, and property-tax freezes for retirees.