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Posted: Monday, August 13th, 2012 8:49 AM HST

Voters decide one state Senate race

By Ken Hupp - 67AM KPUA News

State Senator Gil Kahele topped outgoing council member Donald Ikeda Saturday to win the Democratic Primary in District 1 and outright election, since there are no Republican or third party candidates running. District 2 saw newcomer Russell Ruderman beat a Democratic field that included state Representative Bob Herkes and former council member Gary Safarik and will face Republican Daryl Lee Smith in November. Incumbent Democrat Josh Green, running unopposed in District 3 will take on Republican Jeff LaFrance in the general election, while Senator Malama Solomon holds a slim lead over Democratic challenger and former Senator Lorraine Inouye, who has not yet conceded in District 4, where Green Party candidate Kelly Greenwell awaits the winner. House primaries saw Democrats Mark Nakashima, Clift Tsuji and Cindy Evans win new terms in districts 1, 2 and 7, while the contests in districts 3, 4, 5 and 6 will be decided in November.