Four-term incumbent will face an opponent in the general election.
Maui County Council member Tamara Paltin wants to hold onto the West Maui seat she has held for the past eight years. Is she is successful, this would be her final term under county rules.
Because only two candidates took out papers to run, the race goes straight to November, where Paltin faces Mark Tillman to represent district still very much in the process of rebuilding after the August 2023 wildfires.
Civil Beat sent both candidates a series of questions about priorities for the office including how they would support agriculture and food sustainability, cost of living pressures and the effects of overtourism.
Their answers are linked below and the survey responses from candidates can be compared all in one spot on Civil Beat’s 2026 Hawaiʻi Primary Ballot. If candidates provide answers later we will update the story so check back.
Mark Tillman
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About the Author
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Matthew Leonard is a senior reporter for Civil Beat, focusing on data journalism. He has worked in media and cultural organizations in both hemispheres since 1988. Follow him on Twitter at @mleonardmedia or email mleonard@civilbeat.org.