A new survey from Hawaii-based pollster Ward Research gives Democratic Rep. Mazie Hirono a pair of big leads in both the primary and general elections for this state’s open-seat race.
In the Democratic primary, Hirono leads former Rep. Ed Case by 56%-36%. In the general election, she leads Republican former Gov. Linda Lingle by 57%-37%.
It should be noted that back in 2002, Lingle was first elected governor by a 52%-47% margin, defeating then-Lt. Gov. Mazie Hirono, to become the state’s first Republican governor since the early 1960’s. She was easily re-elected by a landslide in 2006. But in this heavily Democratic state, it could prove to be more difficult for even a well-known Republican to win federal office.
