Hawaii GOP Chair Tamara McKay Accused of Undermining Party by Attempting to Recruit Democrat Mike Gabbard Over All Hawaii Republican Candidates for 2026 Gubernatorial Race
HONOLULU, HI — Hawaii Republican Party (GOP) State Chair Tamara McKay is facing intense backlash after attempting to recruit State Senator Mike Gabbard, a Democrat, to run for governor in the 2026 election, despite the fact that several Republican candidates had expressed interest in the race.
Sources within the party report that McKay hosted a lunch meeting with Gabbard, during which she tried to convince him to enter the race, It's apparent that she believes Not Any “Republican” in Hawaii was qualified to run for governor. McKay’s push to elevate Gabbard a Democrat with controversial ties to a religious cult and mostly progressive views that sharply conflict with core GOP values—was further promoted through official Hawaii GOP communications, sent to party members.
However, Gabbard rejected McKay’s attempt to recruit him, making it clear that he had no interest in running under the Republican banner. Despite this, McKay continued to push his name as a viable candidate, even going so far as to promote him publicly in a Civil Beat puff piece, which seemed to endorse her leadership and support for Gabbard. This article further underscored her apparent preference for a Democrat over any Republican candidate.
A Betrayal of Party Loyalty
Many within the GOP view McKay’s actions as a direct betrayal of party loyalty. While several Republicans had expressed interest in running, McKay’s decision to promote a Democrat over members of her own party has caused significant outrage.
“It’s a slap in the face to every Republican in Hawaii. The chair of our party should be supporting our own candidates, not trying to recruit a Democrat,” one GOP insider said. “Her actions make it clear that she’s more interested in promoting Democrats than strengthening our own ranks.”
Call for Censure
In light of McKay’s actions, calls for her immediate censure are mounting within the Hawaii GOP. Party members argue that her decision to push a Democrat over potential Republican Gubernatorial candidates represents a severe breach of her leadership responsibilities.
“Tamara McKay has shown that she’s more interested in bringing in Democrats than supporting our own candidates,”
The Bigger Picture: Leadership and Accountability
This latest scandal is part of a growing pattern of controversial actions under McKay’s leadership. From the mishandling of ongoing scandals, including anti-Semitic remarks shared through official party communication platforms and derogatory comments about the military, to allegations of a rigged auction for convention tickets, the questionable sale of the Hawaii GOP’s headquarters, and the exploitation of Maui fire victims for fundraising, McKay’s leadership is increasingly under scrutiny. Furthermore, her tenure as chair and involvement in the state executive committee coincided with serious concerns about embezzlement and money laundering within the party. Despite these grave issues, no police reports have been filed, no press releases issued, and McKay has failed to uphold her fiduciary duty, neglecting due diligence and her obligations to the Republican Party members she was entrusted to serve.
“Her leadership has been nothing short of disastrous,” said a Republican strategist. “Now, after failing to recruit Gabbard, she’s actively working against our party’s interests and discrediting Republican Candidates.
Looking Ahead
As the Hawaii GOP faces mounting internal strife, the demand for McKay’s censure continues to grow. Many party members are calling for swift action to restore integrity and unity within the party.
With the 2026 gubernatorial election Just two short ears away, the Hawaii GOP’s ability to mount a serious challenge will depend largely on how it addresses these ongoing leadership crises. For now, many are calling for McKay to be held accountable for her actions.
"As the Hawaii GOP continues to face mounting challenges under Tamara McKay’s leadership, further developments and updates will be provided as this situation unfolds. Stay tuned for more as the party grapples with these ongoing issues and the call for accountability grows louder."
Stay tuned for updates from HIRA News as we continue to cover this developing story. For more information, visit our website at HIRANews.com or follow us on social media @HIRANews808
Kai On Your Side 🌺
Sources:
https://hiranews.com/2024/10/22/anti-semitism-at-hawaii-gop-this-high-ranking-anti-israel-nutjob-has-to-go/
https://www.civilbeat.org/2024/11/the-sunshine-blog-mike-gabbard-for-governor/
She has done that with everything she's been involved in; ask people at the Upcountry Fair.
It's sourced...