KAILUA-KONA — There’s nothing new under the West Hawaii sun in 2016, at least not in the State House of Representatives.
Democrat incumbents swept races in Hawaii Island’s 5th, 6th and 7th districts as voters stated emphatically they were happy with their current representation in Honolulu.
Kona Rep. Nicole Lowen, a two-time incumbent in Hawaii Island’s 6th District, claimed just over 67 percent of the vote, defeating Republican challenger Bruce Pratt with 5,892 votes to Pratt’s 2,841 votes.
“I’m always relieved when election season is over and I can get back to the work,” Lowen said. “I want to thank the people of North Kona and District 6 for sending me back for a third term.”
Lowen witnessed some animosity between supporters of presidential candidate Donald Trump and those supporting former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton while sign waving in recent days. But she said the political divisiveness so prominent nationally has not trickled down to her race.
“There was not really any more divisiveness than usual,” Lowen said. “I think people here generally do respect each other. We live in a small town, people know each other and, for the most part, we treat each other well. I think that’s something that’s worth hanging on to for dear life. We need to make it a priority to not let that slip through our fingers.”
Eight-time North Kona and Kohala incumbent Cindy Evans, who edged out David Tarnas by a razor thin margin in the District 7 primary contest, ran the closest race in the general election as well.
Evans attracted just over 62 percent of the vote, beating Republican challenger Jeff Coakley by a count of 5,779 votes to 3,500 votes.
“I’m very pleased I got a vote of confidence and that people want me to go back, continue the work and get results,” Evans said. “I think there’s a lot of work to do.”
She added the messages sent from Democrats who opposed her in one of the House’s tightest primary races didn’t go unheard.
“Unfortunately, some of the public sector unions were unhappy with me voting for the Maui Memorial Hospital, so it’s just one of those things,” Evans said. “I believe I made an informed decision and did the right thing with the vote I cast. I have an open door policy, and the unions are always welcome to come in. I always want to hear their side. I always want to hear their viewpoint.”
District 5 Rep. Richard Creagan, who represents an area stretching from Keauhou to South Point, ran strongest Tuesday night, earning nearly 78 percent of the vote to win his second election.
Creagan, who has served three years in the House after assuming the seat for the last half of Rep. Denny Coffman’s final term in 2013, ousted Libertarian challenger Michael Last by 6,037 votes to 1,733 votes.
Creagan couldn’t be reached for comment Tuesday.