A crowded field of contenders is seeking to fill the Congressional seat that U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D) has chosen to leave – U.S. House District 2, covering rural Oʻahu and the Neighbor Islands.

INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAIʻI Election 2020 features the six candidates:

-Joe Akana, who beat eight opponents in the Republican Primary, is a former U.S. Air Force intelligence analyst with advanced degrees who also is a graduate of Kamehameha Schools.

-Non-partisan Ron Burrus grew up in Texas and also has lived and worked in California. He holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and a certificate in sports management.

-John (Raghu) Giuffre, an author, is the nominee for the American Shopping Party, which he founded. He is a former Realtor, originally from Los Angeles.

-Jonathan Hoʻomanawanui, from the new Aloha ʻĀina Party, is a U.S. Army veteran and Chair of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Western Conference. He previously ran as a Republican for a State House seat on Kauaʻi.

-State Sen. Kai Kahele, who currently represents the greater Hilo area of Hawaiʻi Island, won out over three others for the Democratic Party nomination. A former UH Mānoa volleyball player, he is a pilot with the Hawaiʻi Air National Guard and he also flies for Hawaiian Airlines.

-Michelle Tippens is the Libertarian Party candidate. The Texas native is a U.S. Army veteran and the founder of the Hawaii Veterans Cannabis Alliance. She holds an advanced degree and moved to Hawaiʻi in 2013.

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