Democrat Tim Richards easily skated past Republican Nicholas M. Tancheff for the open District 4 seat in the state Senate, leading Tancheff by 6,363 votes with all mailed ballots — 41.3% of registered voters — counted Tuesday night.
That’s 9,695 votes for Richards, or 69.7% of the vote, to Tancheff’s 3,332.
But right up to the last, Richards , whose given name is Herbert Montague Richards III, wasn’t taking anything for granted. Family legend centers around Herbert Montague Richards Sr., who was on the Honolulu Board of Supervisors. So many of his supporters thought he was such a shoo-in for mayor in the late 1940s that they didn’t bother voting.
Richards’ grandfather lost by about a dozen votes.
“I am not taking anything for granted,” Richards said Tuesday morning. “My grandfather … could count that many people who didn’t bother voting because they knew he was going to win. That is not lost on me.”
Twelve hours later, with supporters cheering in the background, Richards was able to admit his victory.
“The whole room just exploded,” when the results were announced, Richards said.
Richards, 63, a rancher and veterinarian, automatically stepped down from his position as a member of the County Council representing Kohala in order to join the Senate. Tancheff, 47, is a chiropractor and owner of Island Holistic Healing.
Richard’s priorities include agriculture, affordable housing and revitalizing the economy. Housing, food independence and energy independence are Tancheff’s priorities, as well as less government, lower taxes, fewer regulations on businesses and more personal freedoms.
The seat is being vacated by Sen. Lorraine Inouye, whose home was relocated back to District 1 during the redistricting process following the 2020 census. District 4 covers most of North Hawaii and includes Kalaoa, Waikoloa, Puako, Waimea, Kawaihae, Hawi, Kapaau, Honokaa, Paauilo, Laupahoephoe, Papaaloa, Hakalau and Honomu. District 1 continues eastward and south through Hilo and into Puna.
Inouye, a veteran Democratic legislator who also served as Hawaii County mayor, also had an easy time of it over her Republican opponent, Helen C. Tupai. Inouye garnered 11,065 votes, or 71.1%, to Tupai’s 3,706.
Sen. Dru Kanuha, a Democrat representing Kona’s District 3, won his race in the primary election, when no one stepped up to challenge him.
The island’s fourth Senate District, covering Puna and into Ka‘u, was handily won by incumbent Democratic Sen. Joy
San Buenaventura, who took 70.5% of the vote over GOP challenger Holly Osborn’s 21.9% and Libertarian Frederick Fogel’s 4.1%.
