Several veteran Democratic legislators are being challenged in this year’s primary, but election results Saturday evening suggest nearly all will keep their seats.

They include Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz, who was leading challenger Nani Brown, an electrician, for the District 17 seat in Wahiawā 67.7% to 23.4%.

Dela Cruz appears poised to win reelection outright, as there are no other rivals for his seat.

But another veteran state senator, Les Ihara, was struggling to fend off an adversary for the District 10 seat representing Palolo, St. Louis Heights, Maunalani Heights and parts of Kaimukī.

Ihara has served for 40 years in the Legislature while Rep. Jackson Sayama was elected to the House in 2020 and is now trying to move to the Senate.

The latest returns showed Sayama up over Ihara 60.3% to 30.7%. It appears that Sayama will be the next senator for the district.

The second round of results, released around 9 p.m. Saturday, include all ballots cast before Saturday, primary election day, as well as all in-person voting and make up the vast majority of total primary votes.

One race that is too close too call features Rep. Ikaika Hussey trailing John Mizuno, who previously held the seat. Hussey had 45.5% to 48.4% for Mizuno, a margin of just 74 votes.

Depending on the final results, the race for District 29 (Kamehameha Heights, Kalihi Valley) could trigger an automatic recount.

In other races featuring notable challenges to longtime lawmakers, Sen. Donna Kim led opponent Christy MacPherson, a community activist, 51.5% to 41.4% for the District 14 seat that includes Kalihi, Alewa and Moanalua Gardens.

Whoever wins the seat outright is elected senator, as there are no other competitors in that contest.

Meanwhile, another experienced legislator, Rep. Mark Hashem, has a big lead over Kahi Pacarro, an environmental activist, 52.9% to 38.4%. Hashem represents District 19 (Waiʻalae-Kahala, ‘Āina Haina, Niu Valley, Kuliʻouʻou).

In another contested primary, this one among Republicans, Sen. Kurt Fevella has 40.2% of the vote as compared to 38.5% for former Rep. Bob McDermott and 11.6% for former Rep. Rida Arakawa Cabanilla, who previously served as a Democrat. Fevella’s margin over McDermott is just 47 votes.

The winner of the District 20 seat representing ʻEwa Beach will face Democrat Markus Owens in November.

Another contested GOP primary had incumbent Rep. Kanani Souza holding off Sheila Medeiros 46.7% to 43.9% — a difference of just 44 votes. The winner takes the House seat outright to represent District 43 (Kapolei, Makakilo).

All told, 15 of the 25 Senate seats are on the ballot this year while all 51 House seats are up.

Open Seats

The retirement of several legislators opened up a couple of races that attracted wide fields. That means there will be some new faces when the Legislature convenes beginning in January.

In the Democratic primary for District 13, where longtime Sen. Karl Rhoads is stepping down, Tricia Nakamatsu has 49.1% of the vote and is followed by Jordan Nakamura (20.5%) , Lei Ahu Isa (14.1%), James Logue (6%) and Lynn Vasquez (2.5%).

The winner will face Republican Wallyn Kanoelani Christian in the general election. District 13 includes Chinatown, Nuʻuanu, Pacific Heights, Liliha and downtown Honolulu.

The retirement of another veteran lawmaker, Rep. Della Au Belatti (she is running for lieutenant governor), opened up her District 26 seat that represents Makiki and Punchbowl.

In the Democratic primary, Ian Ross leads a field of four with 38.7% of early returns. Trailing Ross are Nathan Kenichi Char (29.3%), Janel Fujinaka (14.5%) and Arjuna Heim (7.8%).

In the Republican primary for that same seat, Tony Silva is ahead of Robyn McCreary 44.5% to 41.2%.

With Jackson Sayama leaving the House, his District 21 seat has five Democrats vying for the chance to succeed him. Derek Turbin currently leads with 42.7% over Andrew Phomsouvanh (21.8%), Jake Takaya Morrow (20.8%), Angie Knight (4.9%) and Ranell Asuega-Fualaau (2.6%).

With no GOP opponent, the winner of District 21 (St. Louis Heights, Pālolo Valley, Maunalani Heights, Wilhelmina Rise, Kaimukī) will be the next House member.

In District 28 (Sand Island, Iwilei, Chinatown), Michael (Cov) Ratcliffe was appointed earlier this year to replace Daniel Holt, who resigned to take a job with a state agency. Four other Democrats are running against Ratcliffe to serve for the next two years.

Ratcliffe is at 27.9%, leading for now Nadia Alves (22.6%), Tony Nagatani (21.4%), Reno Abihai (9.2%) and Ernest Caravalho (7.9%).

Other Races

The District 14 seat representing Lahaina, District 14, Kahana and neighboring areas has Rep. Elle Cochran with 65.4% of the vote in the GOP primary. Because she’s unopposed, that means she will be on the general election ballot.

But because Cochran left the Democratic Party earlier this year, three Democrats jumped into the race to replace her. Sne Patel is at 31.3% followed by Ashley Olson (28.5%) and Kanamu Balinbin (24%).

In the Green Party primary, Pa‘ele Kiakona is unopposed and will also advance to the general.

Other office holders holding leads after the first results were released were Sen. Chris Lee, a Democrat who faces no opponent in the general election, and Big Island Democrat Rep. Nicole Lowen.

Another Big Island Democratic representative, Chris Todd, is on track to defeat opponent Kuulei (Kiana) Keawekane 62.8% to 29.8% but will face Libertarian Austin Martin in the general election.

The same goes for Democrat incumbent Jeanne Kapela, who is holding off challenger Matt Kaneali‘i-Kleinfelder, a Hawaiʻi County Councilman, 62.1% to 30.6%. The winner of that contest will be up against Republican Dalene McCormick in the fall.

Meanwhile, several Democratic Party legislators won reelection outright Saturday because they are unopposed in November.

They include House Speaker Nadine Nakamura and Senate President Ron Kouchi, both from Kauaʻi; Oʻahu Sens. Carol Fukunaga, Mike Gabbard and Glenn Wakai and Oʻahu Reps. Kim Coco Iwamoto, Sam Kong, Cory Chun and Andrew Takuya Garrett.

On the Republican side, Oʻahu Reps. Lauren Matsumoto and David Alcos are unopposed and so won reelection.

Democrats control the Legislature, with 41 members in the 51-member House and 21 members in the 25-member Senate. Sen. Michelle Kidani, a Democrat, retired June 30.

A temporary replacement for Kidani of Mililani Town, who stepped down June 30, is expected to be named by Gov. Josh Green as early as Sunday.

Democrats, Republicans, Greens and Libertarians will each select a candidate to appear on the Nov. 3 general election ballot for Kidani’s District 18 seat, as well as a nonpartisan candidate chosen by lottery.