Hawaii congressman defeats anti-Israel progressive upstart in Democratic primary

US Rep. Ed Case, a pro-Israel Democrat, defeated progressive challenger Jarett Keohokalole in Hawaii's Democratic primary on Saturday, with the AP calling the race at 60-36. Keohokalole, who opposed military aid to Israel, conceded. Case's victory stands out amid anti-Israel primary wins elsewhere.

US Rep. Ed Case, a 73-year-old Democrat from Hawaii with a pro-Israel voting record, defeated progressive state Sen. Jarett Keohokalole in the Democratic primary on Saturday. The Associated Press called the race at 60-36 with 80% of the vote counted. Keohokalole, 43, conceded, calling Case "a good guy." The challenger had campaigned on expanding government healthcare and ending military aid to Israel, an issue that has played a prominent role in Democratic primaries this year, with anti-Israel candidates winning in Michigan, New York, and Colorado. Case, elected in 2018, voted against a proposed ban on $3 billion in security aid to Israel last month and criticized Israel's military response to Hamas's October 7, 2023, onslaught. Keohokalole said he would have voted for the ban. Case argued his role on the House Appropriations Committee gave his district outsize influence. He benefited from an open primary, drawing support from independents and Republicans. He is expected to be re-elected in November in the heavily Democratic district.