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After 'Grueling Campaign,' Hawaii Governor Wins Democratic Primary

Despite a challenging first term marked by both natural and man-made disasters, Hawaii Gov. David Ige won the Democratic primary in his bid for a second term in office Saturday, defeating U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa.

By Caleb Jones and Audrey McAvoy

Despite a challenging first term marked by both natural and man-made disasters, Hawaii Gov. David Ige won the Democratic primary in his bid for a second term in office Saturday, defeating U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa.

Ige’s administration fumbled through a false missile alert that sent the state into a panic in January, a major embarrassment for his administration. But the governor’s handling of Kilauea volcano’s latest eruption, which destroyed more than 700 homes and displaced thousands, as well as devastating flooding on Kauai got him back on track and he came out ahead of Hanabusa.

“It’s been a grueling campaign,” Ige said. “It’s truly a heart-warming finish to a very, very challenging and exciting time.”

Ige said he expects to win the general election in November, but he’s not going to take his challenger for granted.

"I will not take anything for granted, we are going to gear up for another tough campaign, but we do believe that we have a vision and that the people have spoken,” Ige said.

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