2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Hawaii

Gabbard received endorsements from the Sierra Club,[9] Women Under Forty PAC,[10] Emily's List,[11] and MauiTime.[12] Hannemann and Gabbard also 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.[13] Gabbard had previously opposed same-sex marriage,[14] but during the primary campaign, promised to work to repeal DOMA and co-sponsor the Respect for Marriage act.[15] Voters initially doubted the sincerity of her new views on the issue.[16]

Gabbard filed a 270-page complaint against Hannemann's spending,[17] 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.[18]

Candidates Marx, Gabbard, and Kia'aina debated on June 5,[19] and Marx, Gabbard, Kia'aina and Hannemann debated in early July.[13]

Gabbard's ratings in the polls increased steadily and Hannemann's dropped throughout the primary campaign,;[20] as of August 6, she was leading against Hanneman 49% to 29%. On August 11, she defeated Hanneman by twenty points, winning the primary. The Honolulu Star-Advertiser described her win as the "improbable rise from a distant underdog to victory".[21] Gabbard credited grassroots support as the reason for her come-from-behind win in the primary.[22] She decided to resign her seat on the City Council, stating that she wanted to prevent the cost of a separate special election,[23] and resigned on August 16.[24]

Candidates

• Rafael "Del" del Castillo, attorney and patients' rights advocate[25]
• Tulsi Gabbard, Honolulu City Councilmember[26][27]
• Mufi Hannemann, former Mayor of Honolulu[28][29]
• Esther Kia'aina, chief advocate for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs[30]
• Bob Marx, attorney[25]
• Miles Shiratori, financial advisor[31]

Candidates

• Kawika Crowley, handyman[32]
• Matthew DiGeronimo, entrepreneur, motivational and business speaker, radio talk show host and former Navy officer[33]