Who’s running for Hawaii Governor in 2026?
The 2026 Hawaii governor election will determine who leads the state’s executive branch for the upcoming term. This race includes both the gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial elections, which are held separately in the primaries but combined for the general election. Incumbent Governor Joshua Green is eligible to seek re-election. This article provides detailed information on the candidates, election process, and what voters need to know about the 2026 Hawaii governor election.
Who is running for Hawaii Governor in 2026? – Candidates and Election Overview
Hawaii voters will choose their next governor in the 2026 general election, scheduled for November 3. The office of governor is the top executive position in the state, responsible for overseeing the administration and representing Hawaii’s interests. The incumbent, Joshua Green (Democratic Party), is eligible to seek re-election following his 2022 win. Recent ratings from major sources such as The Cook Political Report, Inside Elections, and Sabato’s Crystal Ball classify the race as ‘Solid Democratic.’ Candidates for governor and lieutenant governor must file by June 2, 2026, with primary elections held on August 8, 2026. Hawaii has a history of Democratic strength in statewide races, and no official candidates from any party have filed as of this writing. Polling stations will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on election day.
Candidates in the 2026 Hawaii Governor Election
As of the latest reports, the following candidate information is available for the 2026 Hawaii governor election: Democratic Candidates: – Josh Green: The current governor of Hawaii, Josh Green, is a Democrat who has served in the office since 2022. According to his profile, he is the incumbent governor and is listed as having an exploratory filing status for the 2026 race. Governor Green’s background includes extensive experience in state government and public health. No official campaign website or announced running mate is listed in the data provided. Republican Candidates: – No Republican candidates for governor have been declared or filed as of the current data. All Republican candidate entry fields remain empty. Independent and Other Candidates: – No independent or third-party candidates for Hawaii governor are listed or have declared for the 2026 race at this time. All related candidate fields are empty. The candidate list will be updated as new contenders file or announce their campaigns for the 2026 Hawaii governor election.
Hawaii Conducts its Gubernatorial Elections
Hawaii conducts its gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial elections on November 3, 2026. The electoral process is unique to the state: while the primary elections for governor and lieutenant governor are held separately (on August 8, 2026), the general election ticket consists of party nominees running together as a combined ticket for governor and lieutenant governor. To participate, candidates must file by June 2, 2026. Voting on election day occurs from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., with both in-person and mail-in balloting options available. As of now, there are no official candidates who have filed, but the coming months leading up to the summer 2026 deadline are expected to see announcements from both major and minor parties. Hawaii’s history of separate primaries ensures that each party chooses its preferred candidates for both statewide executive offices before joining for the general election. The process is closely monitored by election officials, with additional reporting provided by organizations such as Ballotpedia.
Polling and Race Outlook for Hawaii Governor in 2026
At this stage in the 2026 Hawaii governor election, no official polling data has been released and there are no fundraising or campaign finance summaries available. The race is currently rated as ‘Solid Democratic’ by multiple political analysis organizations, including The Cook Political Report, Inside Elections, and Sabato’s Crystal Ball. The state’s recent voting history reflects consistent success for Democratic candidates in governor races. In 2022, incumbent Joshua Green won his first term as governor, defeating his Republican opponent by a wide margin and securing nearly two-thirds of the vote. Given this historical context, independent election observers expect the Democratic nominee to hold a significant advantage as the campaign develops. However, with no official candidates or declared challengers so far, voters will likely see more campaign and polling activity as the filing deadline approaches in the summer of 2026. All updates on polling, candidate filings, and race changes will be tracked by Ballotpedia and other election monitoring organizations.
Key Issues in the 2026 Hawaii Governor Race
Although no explicit key issues have been listed at this point in the 2026 Hawaii governor race, gubernatorial contests in Hawaii often focus on broad topics central to state governance. Common concerns include the state budget, economic development, public education, energy policy, housing, and public safety. Recent discussions in Hawaii have also included election system transparency and voter confidence, as highlighted in reports on ballot handling and election security. Voters may anticipate these and other issues to play a prominent role as the campaign season progresses, alongside new topics that may emerge from candidate statements, debates, and developing state or regional events.
Partner with Sutton & Smart for Your Hawaii Campaign
Campaigns, political organizations, and professionals in Hawaii: Sutton & Smart offers services such as petition gathering, canvassing, voter contact, and political consulting. Contact us to discuss how we can support your 2026 election strategy.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_Hawaii_gubernatorial_election
Hawaii gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2026
https://www.civilbeat.org/2025/08/hawaiʻi-elections-officials-tackle-big-island-ballot-discrepancies/
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Jon Sutton
An expert in management, strategy, and field organizing, Jon has been a frequent commentator in national publications.
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