Hawaii’s largest public workers union campaigns against veteran senator

News admin July 15, 2026 0 Comments

Hawaii’s largest public workers union campaigns against veteran senator

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Hawaii’s largest public workers union has turned against Senate Education Committee Chair Donna Mercado Kim, endorsing a challenger and launching a social media campaign against the 43-year incumbent ahead of the Aug. 8 primary.

The Hawaii Government Employees Association and its director, Randy Perreira, sent a letter to thousands of members calling Kim “Trumpian” and accusing her of “lashing out in a personal vendetta and making a career out of bullying public workers.”

February hearing sparked the conflict

The dispute stems from a February Senate hearing in which Kim and Republican Sen. Samantha DeCorte questioned Deputy Schools Superintendent Heidi Armstrong over a bill to restructure school management.

School officials, including principals, gathered outside the hearing room and audibly booed during the exchange.

“Maybe you’re the problem because the buck kinda stops with you, right?” DeCorte said during the hearing. As the voices were raised outside, Armstrong responded that “many things do stop with me.”

Kim later addressed the disruption on the Senate floor.

“Do we allow students to boo their classmates when they disagree or use intimidation and mob-like tactics to silence opposing views?” Kim said.

Kim pushes back on union’s characterization

Kim said she takes issue with the union’s accusations.

“It’s sad that happens. I don’t mind that people disagree with me. When they start accusing me of things that is not true and lies, well, that’s where I draw the line,” Kim said.

She also said she has faced pressure from union leadership.

“That’s part of their job. Now, you know, I get bullied, and I get intimidated by others like union leaders as well,” Kim said.

Kim said she believes her constituents support her approach.

“I think the people in my district appreciate the fact that I’m there fighting for them and asking the tough questions,” Kim said.

Challenger says she’s running for the community

The HGEA has endorsed Christy MacPherson, a Democrat running in Senate District 14. MacPherson, a former substance abuse counselor and community organizer, works for Hawaii Appleseed, a nonprofit focused on solutions to poverty.

She said she began campaigning before the dispute between Kim and the union.

“I never thought I wanted to be in politics, but I think why I’m running is because I’ve been involved in this community for so long,” MacPherson said.

MacPherson said her campaign is not defined by her opponent.

“It’s not about running against her. It’s about running for the community,” MacPherson said.

She acknowledged differences with Kim without elaborating on the union conflict.

“We just have different styles and different styles of leadership,” MacPherson said.

The HGEA has conducted sign-waving and canvassing on MacPherson’s behalf and has posted on social media that Kim “is no friend to public workers.”

With no Republican in the race, the Aug. 8 primary will serve as the deciding election for Senate District 14, which covers the area from Kapalama to Halawa.