The 2010 Hawaii gubernatorial election was held on November 2, 2010 to elect the next Governor and Lieutenant Governor of Hawaii. The winning candidates served a four-year term from 2010 to 2014. Incumbent Republican Governor Linda Lingle was term-limited in 2010 and not eligible to run for re-election. Former congressman Neil Abercrombie was declared the winner, defeating lieutenant governorDuke Aiona. Abercrombie was sworn in as the state's seventh Governor on December 6, 2010. The winners of the 2010 lieutenant governor primary election became the running mates of the 2010 gubernatorial nominees.
Eleven candidates ran for their political parties' nominations in the lieutenant governor primary election on September 18: seven Democrats, two Republicans, one independent, and one Free Energy Party candidate.
Gary Hooser, 56, former state Senator from Kauai. Campaign based largely on support of civil unions.
Jon Riki Karamatsu, 35, state legislator first elected in 2002 to represent the Waipahu area; chairman of the state House Judiciary Committee
Norman Sakamoto, 63, sitting state Senator first elected in 1996 to represent the Kalihi, Salt Lake, and Pearl Ridge neighborhoods of Honolulu; chairman of the state Senate Education and Housing Committee; opponent of civil unions
Brian Schatz, 37, former state legislator and former chairman of the Hawaiian Democratic Party. Resident of Honolulu.
Free Energy Party
Deborah Spence, no age provided, campaigns for the revival of hemp, which she calls the "most utilitarian plant", for use as a cellulose and biofuel. Resident of Hilo.
Independent
Leonard Kama, 67, retired security guard and deckhand campaigning on education and a reduction of homelessness. Resident of Kapolei.
Republican Party
Lynn Finnegan, 39, state legislator since 2002; Republican leader in the State House since 2005. Resident of Aiea, Hawaii.
Adrienne King, 62, lawyer for more than thirty years. Resident of Honolulu, daughter-in-law to judge Samuel Pailthorpe King.
Results
Democratic
Republican
General election
Candidates
Neil Abercrombie
* Abercrombie's running mate was former state Democratic Party chairman Brian Schatz
Duke Aiona
* Aiona's running mate was State Rep. Lynn Finnegan
