Hawaii State Representative Elle Cochran announced Monday that she is leaving the Democratic Party and joining the Republicans, a switch that adds her to the House Republican Caucus.
Newsweek has reached out to Cochran for comment via email on Wednesday.
Why It Matters
Cochran said her district, which includes West Maui and Lahaina, needs “stronger advocacy” in the aftermath of the 2023 Lahaina wildfire, which killed 102 people, destroyed more than 2,200 structures and caused an estimated $5.5 billion in damage, according to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Republicans remain in the minority in the Hawaiʻi House, but Cochran’s switch boosts their caucus to 10 members in the 51-seat chamber, its largest showing in nearly two decades.
What To Know
Cochran said during her announcement that she believes Hawaii works best “when there is balance in government, when different perspectives are welcomed and ideas are debated openly for the good of the people.”
She noted she approves of the GOP caucus’s “inclusiveness, collaboration, and respect for differing viewpoints.” She added, “I also join a party that believes in limited government, fiscal responsibility, and strong advocacy for the people of Hawaii.”
Cochran’s move also adds another island member to the House Republican Caucus, whose members had previously all represented Oahu districts. “We are also happy to have now a neighbor island voice in our caucus,” Republican State Representative Diamond Garcia said Monday.
Cochran was elected to her seat in 2022 and is up for reelection this year. She has not yet filed for reelection.
Party switching is fairly rare. Cochran’s move is one of the latest party switches by a state lawmaker this year, following New Hampshire Representative David Nagel’s decision in February to leave the Republican Party and join the Democrats.
What People Are Saying
Republican State Representative Diamond Garcia said on Monday: “Very rarely do you see times when Democrats become Republicans. In fact, oftentimes we have examples of the other way around.”
State representative David Nagel, now a New Hampshire Democrat, told NHPR’s All Things Considered in February: “Being listened to is very important to me, and it’s empowering when people choose to listen to you. It makes all the difference in the world. It became quite apparent that the Republican leadership, anyways, was not willing to listen to me on really critical issues. I’m happy to listen to the party’s message, but if my worldview doesn’t match, I can’t support it…The one thing I will also say is that the Democrats from the day I got here, listened to me.”
What Happens Next
Cochran addressed her constituents during her speech, saying she is “still the same Elle Cochran you elected. The only difference is that now I have more knowledge and experience.”
Two Democrats and two Green Party candidates have filed to run for the District 14 seat.
