Neil Abercrombie, who evolved from a fiery Vietnam War protester to a respected Democrat in Congress, was elected governor of Hawaii last night on a message of change after eight years of Republican rule at Washington Place.
Abercrombie easily defeated Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona, the Republican, to become the seventh governor since statehood. He is expected to be sworn in to replace Gov. Linda Lingle on Dec. 6.
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Hawaii Democrats swept their three congressional races yesterday and now prepare to return to a vastly different landscape in Washington.
Colleen Hanabusa ended Republican Charles Djou's six-month U.S. House term with a victory that at one point seemed in doubt even in a Democratic stronghold such as Hawaii.
Hanabusa and fellow U.S. Rep. Mazie Hirono, who handily defeated GOP challenger John Willoughby, now head to Capitol Hill as members of the minority party, after Republicans won control of the U.S. House.
Meanwhile, U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye cruised to a ninth term in the Senate over former state lawmaker Cam Cavasso. Democrats' continued control of the U.S. Senate means Inouye retains his post as president pro tempore -- third in line to the president -- and chairman of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee.
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