Texas billionaire money flows into Waikiki Democratic primary race
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) — A Texas oil billionaire is pouring money into a Democratic primary race in Waikiki — but the money isn’t going toward a Republican. It’s supporting a newcomer trying to unseat an incumbent.
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In the Democratic primary for House District 24, covering Waikiki, McCully and Moiliili, challenger Bulla Eastman is facing incumbent Rep. Adrian Tam. Eastman received a sudden wave of support from Texas billionaire Douglas Scharbauer, who also owns thoroughbred racehorses.
Hawaii Campaign Spending Commission documents show Scharbauer and the Patriot Action Political Action Committee spent $30,000 on ads supporting Eastman at a local media outlet.
Tam questioned the mainland money.
“He has supported candidates like Ken Paxton and Donald Trump. He has supported politicians that have tried to roll back environmental regulations, who have tried to limit a woman’s access to reproductive health care, and have tried to roll back policies advancing rights for LGBT folks,” said Tam, who is openly gay.
“I’m curious as to why this super PAC with conservative right-wing ties is supporting someone in the Democratic primary,” he added.
Eastman told Hawaii News Now he does not know Scharbauer, but is grateful for the surprise support.
“I said, wow, this is kind of interesting,” Eastman said.
“It’s amazing because you have a very successful businessman in the mainland who’s taken quite an interest here in this race, and I don’t think it’s so much for supporting me as it is he’s trying to get the incumbent out of office,” Eastman said.
“It’s interesting for me because it’s a Republican supporting a Democrat running against a Democrat,” he added.
Questions about party loyalty
Tam questioned whether Eastman is truly a Democrat. Eastman told Hawaii News Now he voted for Trump — though he said he cannot remember which election — and considers himself a conservative Democrat.
“My parents are Democrats. My wife’s parents are Democrats, because the party is for the people,” Eastman said.
“I think that if you’re going to run for office, you should be very authentic and upfront about who you are and what you represent,” Tam said.
About the candidates
Tam was first elected in 2020. He said his accomplishments include making the district a better place, combatting noise and climate change, and working to improve safety.
Eastman is a first-time candidate who runs a security consulting firm and is an ordained minister doing outreach on streets and in prisons. He said he wants to make Waikiki a safer place.
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