LOS ANGELES — Hawaii's incumbent governor, Neil Abercrombie, suffered a resounding defeat to David Ige in the Democratic primary Saturday.
Abercrombie has had low approval ratings for the past three years despite the economic rebound the state has experienced during his four-year term.
Ige, chair of the Senate Ways & Means Committee, garnered 67% of the vote among Democrats to Abercrombie's 32%.
Local newspapers attributed the loss to Abercrombie alienating key constituencies including seniors and teachers early in his term.
The governor had endorsements from President Barack Obama and Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell.
Among Ige's backers are former Gov. Ben Cayetano, who lost to Caldwell in the 2012 Honolulu mayoral race.
Ige will face James "Duke" Aiona, a Republican, and former Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann, of the Hawaii Independent Party, in the November general election.
Aiona had served as lieutenant governor during Linda Lingle's two terms as governor before being defeated by Abercrombie during the 2010 general election for governor.
Hawaii's incumbent U.S. Senator, Brian Schatz, who was appointed by Abercrombie despite long-time Sen. Daniel Inouye's dying wish that Rep. Colleen Hanabusa succeed him, could also lose his seat.
Schatz' primary race against Hanabusa for the Senate seat was too close to call. Schatz had a 1,635-vote advantage over Hanabusa, 49.3 percent to 48.6 percent with all but two of the state's 247 precincts reporting by Sunday morning.
Schatz was lieutenant governor when Abercrombie appointed him to serve out the remainder of Inouye's term.
