Hawaii's Congressional Race Sparks Tension Among Democrats
*By Christian Smith*
Self-proclaimed socialist and candidate for Hawaii's First Congressional District, Kaniela Ing, says that warnings from former FBI Director James Comey and Democratic leaders about electing progressives don't phase him.
His words to Cheddar came in response to a [tweet on Sunday](https://twitter.com/Comey/status/1021132108381683712), in which Comey told democrats not "to lose your minds and rush to the socialist left." He continued: "America’s great middle wants sensible, balanced, ethical leadership."
In Ing's view, supporting and promoting more liberal candidates is precisely what the party needs after decades of alienating much of the countryーthe South, in particular.
"These are states that were rooted in the workers' movement that were Democrats for generations and, all of a sudden, from Reagan to now, they've only been talked to by one side," the Hawaiian State Representative said in an interview on Cheddar Monday.
Comey's tweet followed a surge in support for more socialist-leaning, progressive candidates like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who upset 20-year incumbent Rep. Joe Crowley (D-NY) in their June primary race. During her campaign, Ocasio-Cortez refused donations from the wealthy and focused on mobilizing hundreds of volunteers to canvass and pass out campaign materials around New York City.
Ocasio-Cortez's grassroots strategy is exactly what Ing wants to emulate in his Oahu-based district.
"We're not relying on the typical DCCC Democratic campaign where you just call a bunch of rich people, ask them for thousands of dollars, and then just run a bunch of TV ads," Ing said. "We knock on doors every single day. We have volunteers out there making calls, sending textsーthat's the way we're going to win."
Ing and six other Democrats are battling for the party's House seat nomination being vacated by Rep. Colleen Hanabusa (D-HI), who is running governor.
Former Rep. Ed Case currently leads in the latest [poll numbers](http://www.staradvertiser.com/2018/07/17/hawaii-news/ed-case-far-ahead-in-race-for-congressional-seat/) from the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, with 36 percent of respondents preferring Case. That same poll placed Ing in fourth, with 6 percent.
Ing says he isn't worried about the latest poll numbers, because they are based on "likely voters," which often don't apply to groups like college students that his campaign is courting.
Hawaii will hold its Congressional primary races on August 11.
For the full segment, [click here.](https://cheddar.com/videos/hawaiian-congressional-candidate-kaniela-ing-is-progressive-and-proud-of-it)
Carlo and Baker cover the latest developments with the Omicron variant, and break down what we know and what we still don't. Plus, a relatively tame Black Friday, and more.
Jurors on Wednesday convicted the three white men charged in the death of Ahmaud Arbery, the Black man who was chased and fatally shot while running through their Georgia neighborhood in an attack that became part of the larger national reckoning on racial injustice during the summer of 2020. Trial attorney and former prosecutor Leslie Ricard Chambers joins Cheddar News' Closing Bell to discuss the verdict, possible sentencing, and more.
Kyle Rittenhouse was acquitted of all charges Friday after pleading self-defense in the deadly Kenosha shootings that became a flashpoint in the debate over guns, vigilantism and racial injustice in the U.S. Criminal Defense Attorney Anthony Tall joins Cheddar News' Closing Bell to discuss the verdict, potential judicial precedent, and more.
President Biden has announced his intent to nominate Fed chair Jerome Powell for another four-year term, with Lael Brainard serving as vice chair. This comes at a crucial time for the economy as inflation is surging, the supply chain is broken, and labor shortages are hampering businesses across the country. Sabrina Escobar, reporter for Barron's, discusses why Biden passed up the opportunity to put the central bank in the hands of a Democrat, and what challenges Powell faces in his second term.
Jill and Carlo are a bit delayed today on account of Carlo's internet not working. Better late than never, they discuss what we know about the suspect in the Christmas parade crash, closing arguments in the Arbery killing trial, and more.
Stocks began the week closing at session lows on a day when bond yields rose and President Biden decided to stick with Jerome Powell as Fed Chair. Bryan Lee, Chief Investment Officer at Blue Zone Wealth Advisors, joins Cheddar News' Closing Bell, where he breaks down the day's activity and discusses what the Fed now needs to do going forward.
President Joe Biden announced Monday he is re-nominating Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell after weeks of speculation that he would choose Democrat and Fed Governor Lael Brainard to fill the role. Biden could be looking for continuity as the U.S. continues to grapple with COVID-19 and high inflation, and investors could be on the same page: markets and treasuries ticked up after the White House made the announcement. MarketWatch Senior Reporter Greg Robb joins Cheddar News' Closing Bell to discuss Powell's re-nomination, what we can expect from the Fed's December meeting, whether it will speed up its taper timeline, and more.
