Senator Brian Schatz Wins Democratic Primary in Hawaii

incumbent Senator Brian Schatz has fended off a challenge from Representative Colleen Hanbusa in a closely fought Democratic primary in Hawaii. The August 9 primary was interrupted by Hurricane Iselle, with two precincts unable to hold the vote until Friday because of the storm. Schatz went into Friday's election leading Hanabusa by 1,635 votes. The margin of victory was less than one percent.

Schatz was sworn in to his Senate seat in December 2012 after being appointed by Neil Abercrombie, the Aloha State's Democratic governor, to replace the late Senator Daniel Inouye (D-HI). Abercrombie's appointment of Schatz was counter to the wishes of Inouye, who wanted Hanabusa to replace him in the U.S. Senate.

Abercrombie was defeated by his primary challenger, state Senator David Ige (D-HI), in Saturday's primary.

Schatz's appointment only lasts through the end of the 113th Congress. The special election in November against Republican state Representative Cam Cavasso will determine who will serve out the remainder of Inouye's six-year term, which runs through 2016.