--- description: An Oval Office endorsement for incumbent Senator Brian Schatz in the President's home state could sway a closely contested primary to fill the late Senator Daniel Inouye’s seat. The Democratic Party has thus far been split between Schatz and Representative Colleen Hanabusa title: President Obama Endorses Schatz in Hawaii Senate Race image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt1f87d9ab366945cd/69868835810bbb7e00c90c57/ap173933573352.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  * [Politics](/section/politics/) ## Politics Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close * [2014 Election](/tag/2014-election/) ## 2014 Election Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close # President Obama Endorses Schatz in Hawaii Senate Race by [Maya Rhodan](/author/maya-rhodan/) ## Maya Rhodan Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Mar 31, 2014 8:53 PM CUT  Senator Brian Schatz Senator Brian SchatzCarolyn Kaster—AP by [Maya Rhodan](/author/maya-rhodan/) ## Maya Rhodan Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Mar 31, 2014 8:53 PM CUT President Barack Obama [endorsed](http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2014/03/31/obama-backs-schatz-over-hanabusa-in-hawaii-race/ "undefined") incumbent Hawaii Senator Brian Schatz on Monday, throwing his hand in a primary race that has fiercely divided Democrats in his home state. “Senator Schatz is protecting Hawaii’s values and fighting every day on behalf of middle-class families,” Obama said in a statement, according to [Fox News](http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2014/03/31/obama-backs-schatz-over-hanabusa-in-hawaii-race/ "undefined"). “There is no question that Senator Schatz is the right choice to continue delivering for Hawaii.” Schatz is facing Representative Colleen Hanabusa in a primary preceding a general election to fill the former seat of Senator Daniel Inouye, who died in 2012\. The contest has split the party — many of Inouye’s supporters are backing Hanabusa, while younger voters and the Democratic establishment are pulling for Schatz. Inouye himself wanted Hanabusa to replace him, according to the [Washington _Post_](http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/hawaii-senate-primary-is-dividing-democrats-along-ethnic-and-generational-lines/2014/01/01/fba07e98-7236-11e3-8def-a33011492df2%5Fstory.html "undefined"). Hawaii Governor Neil Abercrombie, however, appointed then lieutenant governor Schatz to fill Inouye’s seat after the Senator’s death. Obama’s endorsement, first reported by the [Huffington Post](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/03/31/obama-brian-schatz-endorsement%5Fn%5F5059433.html?1396279559 "undefined"), should hold weight in Hawaii. Obama’s approval rating there was [61.3%](http://www.gallup.com/poll/167063/hawaiians-residents-approving-obama-2013.aspx "undefined") as of January, among his highest in the country. Senate majority leader Harry Reid also endorsed Schatz on Monday. “Brian has proven himself a champion for working families in Hawaii,” Reid said in a statement. “He has been a leader in efforts to develop clean-energy jobs and reduce the impact of climate change, and a strong advocate for ensuring a fair shot for all Americans.” \[[_Fox News_](http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2014/03/31/obama-backs-schatz-over-hanabusa-in-hawaii-race/ "undefined")\] ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/44352/obama-schatz-hawaii/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/44352/obama-schatz-hawaii/"},"headline":"President Obama Endorses Schatz in Hawaii Senate Race","datePublished":"2014-03-31T20:53:30.000Z","dateModified":"2026-02-21T07:03:35.535Z","description":"An Oval Office endorsement for incumbent Senator Brian Schatz in the President's home state could sway a closely contested primary to fill the late Senator Daniel Inouye’s seat. 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