Former U.S. Representative Charles Djou, who represented the 1st district from May 2010 until January 2011, sought and received the Republican nomination to challenge Hanabusa again. He defeated C. Kaui Amsterdam and John Giuffre in the Republican primary.[6][7]
Democrat Mazie Hirono, who had represented the 2nd district since 2007, announced in May 2011 that she would run for the U.S. Senate rather than for re-election to the House.[10]
Hannemann and Gabbard differed on the issue of same-sex marriage. Gabbard was opposed to the Defense of Marriage Act and to a proposed Hawaii state constitutional amendment that would define marriage as between a woman and a man, while Hannemann supported DOMA.[20] Gabbard had previously opposed same-sex marriage,[21] but during the primary campaign, promised to work to repeal DOMA and co-sponsor the Respect for Marriage act.[22] Voters initially doubted the sincerity of her new views on the issue.[23]
Gabbard filed a 270-page complaint against Hannemann's spending,[24] saying that his campaign broke campaign finance laws by failing to report 2012 travel and polling expenses and improperly dealt with Hanneman's salary from a tourism association.[25]
Candidates Marx, Gabbard, and Kia'aina debated on June 5,[26] and Marx, Gabbard, Kia'aina and Hannemann debated in early July.[20]
Gabbard's ratings in the polls increased steadily and Hannemann's dropped throughout the primary campaign;[27] as of August 6, she was leading against Hanneman 49% to 29%.
On August 11, Gabbard defeated Hanneman by twenty points. The Honolulu Star-Advertiser described her win as the "improbable rise from a distant underdog to victory".[31] Gabbard credited grassroots support as the reason for her come-from-behind win in the primary.[32]
Gabbard decided to resign her seat on the City Council, stating that she wanted to prevent the cost of a separate special election,[33] and resigned on August 16.[34]
^"State of Hawaii, Office of Elections". Office of Elections. Retrieved August 16, 2011.
^ abc"GENERAL ELECTION 2012 - State of Hawaii - Statewide". State Of Hawaii Office of Elections. Retrieved November 20, 2012.
^Trygstad, Kyle (August 24, 2011). "Hanabusa Will Seek Re-Election, Not Bid for Senate". Roll Call. Retrieved August 24, 2011.
^"Hanabusa snags Democratic bid for Hawaii US House". RealClearPolitics. Associated Press. August 12, 2012. Retrieved September 29, 2012.
^ abcd"PRIMARY ELECTION 2012 - State of Hawaii - Statewide" (PDF). State Of Hawaii Office of Elections. Retrieved September 29, 2012.
^"Djou announces run for Congress, will deploy to Afghanistan". Honolulu Star-Advertiser. August 17, 2011. Retrieved August 18, 2011.
^"Djou wins GOP nomination for Hawaii US House seat". RealClearPolitics. Associated Press. August 12, 2012. Retrieved September 29, 2012.
^ abGutierrez, Ben (April 22, 2012). "Sierra Club endorses Hirono, Hanabusa, Gabbard in federal races". Retrieved November 11, 2012.
^"CANDIDATES". gopyoungguns.com. Archived from the original on October 29, 2012. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
^Catanese, David (May 19, 2011). "Mazie Hirono to seek Akaka's seat". Politico. Retrieved May 20, 2011.
^ abcdTrygstad, Kyle (May 26, 2011). "Tulsi Gabbard Running to Succeed Hirono in Hawaii". Roll Call. Retrieved May 26, 2011.
^"Tulsi Gabbard announces candidacy for U.S. Congress". Archived from the original on April 3, 2012. Retrieved May 27, 2010.
^ abc"Hilo attorney Marx announces U.S. House candidacy". Honolulu Star-Advertiser. November 3, 2011. Archived from the original on October 17, 2014. Retrieved November 8, 2011.
^Joseph, Cameron (August 30, 2011). "Former Honolulu Mayor Hannemann to run for House". Ballot Box. Retrieved August 30, 2011.
^Trygstad, Kyle (August 30, 2011). "Mufi Hannemann Announces Open-Seat House Bid in Hawaii". Roll Call. Retrieved August 30, 2011.
^"Office of Hawaiian Affairs chief advocate announces candidacy for 2nd Congressional District". Daily Reporter. August 10, 2011. Retrieved August 10, 2011.[permanent dead link]
^Pang, Gordon Y.K. (August 11, 2012). "Gabbard upsets Hannemann". Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Retrieved September 29, 2012.
^Daranciang, Nelson (May 31, 2011). "Duckworth not considering run for Hawaii posts". Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Retrieved June 1, 2011.
^ abGutierrez, Ben (July 8, 2012). "Hannemann, Gabbard trade jabs in Congressional debate". Archived from the original on March 1, 2014. Retrieved November 11, 2012.
^Tulsi Gabbard [@TulsiGabbard] (August 7, 2012). "@MAUITIME Yes, and if elected to Congress, I will work to repeal DOMA, and co-sponsor Respect for Marriage Act #NOH8 #LGBT" (Tweet). Retrieved October 11, 2012 – via Twitter.
^Weems, Mickey (July 5, 2012). "Tulsi Gabbard's Moment of Truth". Expression Magazine. Retrieved November 11, 2012.