When the state Legislature reconvenes in 2021, Puna will have new representation in both the Senate and House.
With all votes counted, state Rep. Joy San Buenaventura won the Democratic primary by a landslide for the District 2 Senate seat currently occupied by Island Naturals owner Russell Ruderman, who didn’t run for re-election.
San Buenaventura got 7,763 votes in the initial ballot, 78.6% of the valid votes case, while Burrows garnered 2,103 votes.
“I’m grateful for the confidence of the voters in Puna,” San Buenaventura said. “The strong voter turnout shows that the Legislature passing the all-mail voting actually did work. It actually did bring a lot of voters to the table — and a lot of voters (were) excited and feeling that their vote is being counted.”
In the November general election, San Buenaventura will be opposed by musician Ron Ka-ipo of the Aloha Aina party.
In the House District 4 race, Greggor Ilagan, a former Hawaii County councilman, took the Democratic primary race for the seat San Buenaventura vacated for her Senate run, defeating former County Councilwoman Eileen Ohara.
The tally of valid votes in that race was 3,503, or 61.5%, for Ilagan, to 2,186 for Ohara.
“He’s a nice young man,” Ohara said. “I hope everybody’s satisfied, that’s all.”
Ilagan didn’t return a call from the Tribune-Herald by press time. He’ll face Republican Hope Cermelj, Aloha Aina candidate Desmon Haumea, and nonpartisan candidate Brian Ley in November.
In the race for House District 1, which stretches from the northern end of Hilo to the Hamakua District, incumbent Democrat Rep. Mark Nakashima will face GOP businesswoman Lorraine Shin in November. Neither were opposed in their respective primaries.
For the House District 2 seat in Hilo, incumbent Rep. Chris Todd will be opposed by Aloha Aina candidate Devin McMackin Sr. in November. Both were unopposed in their primaries.
Rep. Richard Onishi turned back two challengers in the Democratic primary for his House District 3 seat, which encompasses part of Hilo and upper Puna.
“I think the voters in my district are engaged, and I think they know my record,” Onishi said Saturday night.
He’ll face Republican challenger Susan Hughes, who ran unopposed in the GOP primary, in November.
