Chris Lee Leaving House Seat For State Senate Run

The lawmaker is seeking the Kailua to Hawaii Kai seat being vacated by Laura Thielen.

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After almost 10 years in the state House of Representatives, Rep. Chris Lee said he will not run for re-election for his District 51 seat (Kailua, Waimanalo).

His focus is now on the state Senate seat representing District 25 (Kailua, Lanikai, Enchanted Lake, Keolu Hills, Maunawili, Waimanalo, Hawaii Kai, Portlock).

That seat is open because incumbent Laura Thielen is not seeking another term. Thielen and Lee are both Democrats.

Rep Chris Lee speaks during abortion discussion floor House. 11 april 2017
Rep. Chris Lee speaking on the House floor in 2017. He is running for the state Senate in 2020. Cory Lum/Civil Beat

“It has been an amazing journey getting to know everyone on the windward side and working together to keep this a special place for our next generation,” Lee said on his Facebook page Tuesday.

He said he now wants to “expand the work that we are doing to build a better future here for our next generation.”

Lee, the chair of the House Committee on Judiciary and Labor, is perhaps best known for his work on renewable energy and environmental protection policy.

Raised in Kailua, Lee, who turns 39 at the end of this month, attended Iolani School and later Oregon State University, where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in political science.

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