Brian Schatz | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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.jpg) Schatz in 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| United States Senator fromHawaii | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assumed office December 26, 2012 Serving with Mazie Hirono | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preceded by | Daniel Inouye | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 12thLieutenant Governor of Hawaii | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In office December 6, 2010 – December 26, 2012 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Governor | Neil Abercrombie | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preceded by | Duke Aiona | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Succeeded by | Shan Tsutsui | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chair of theHawaii Democratic Party | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In office May 2008 – January 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preceded by | Jeani Withington | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Succeeded by | Dante Carpenter | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Member of theHawaii House of Representatives | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In office November 3, 1998 – November 7, 2006 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preceded by | Sam Aiona | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Succeeded by | Della Au Belatti | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Constituency | 24th district (1998–2002) 25th district (2002–2006) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal details | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | Brian Emanuel Schatz (1972-10-20)October 20, 1972 (age 53) Ann Arbor, Michigan, U.S. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Political party | Democratic | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other political affiliations | Green (formerly) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Spouse | Linda Kwok Kai Yun | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Children | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Education | Pomona College (BA) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Signature |  | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Website | Senate website Campaign website | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Schatz on benefits for Native Americans in theInfrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the2022 budget reconciliation bill. Recorded August 9, 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Brian Emanuel Schatz (/ʃɑːts/SHAHTS; born October 20, 1972) is an American politician serving as theseniorUnited States senator fromHawaii, a seat he has held since 2012. A member of theDemocratic Party, Schatz served in theHawaii House of Representatives from 1998 to 2006, representing the 25th legislative district; as the chairman of theDemocratic Party of Hawaii from 2008 to 2010; and as the 12thlieutenant governor of Hawaii from 2010 to 2012.
Schatz also worked as chief executive officer of Helping Hands Hawaii, anOahu nonprofit social service agency, until he resigned to run forlieutenant governor of Hawaii in the2010 gubernatorial election asNeil Abercrombie's running mate.[1] He served as lieutenant governor until December 26, 2012, when Abercrombie appointed him to serve the rest ofDaniel Inouye's U.S. Senate term after Inouye's death.[2] Schatz was the youngest U.S. senator in the112th Congress. He won the2014 special election to complete the remainder of Inouye's Senate term with just under 70% of the vote, was reelected in2016 with 73.6%, and again in2022 with 71.2%.
Brian Schatz was born into a Jewish-American family inAnn Arbor, Michigan, along with an identical twin brother, Steve. He is the son of Barbara Jane (née Binder) and Irwin Jacob Schatz, acardiologist and native of theSaint Boniface neighborhood ofWinnipeg,Manitoba.[3][4]
Schatz's father was the first to complain about the ethics of theTuskegee syphilis experiment, in a 1965 letter. The letter was ignored until the problem finally came to public attention in 1972. Irwin Schatz wrote that he was "astounded" that "physicians allow patients with potentially fatal disease to remain untreated when effective therapy is available." Brian Schatz said that his father didn't talk about the letter, but that it influenced him to pursue the public good.[5][6] Irwin Schatz died on April 1, 2015. His cause of death was deemed to bemetastatic melanoma.[7]
When Schatz and his brother were two years old the family moved to Hawaii,[8] where Schatz graduated fromPunahou School.[9][10] Schatz enrolled atPomona College inClaremont, California; he spent a term studying abroad inKenya on a program of theSchool for International Training (SIT).[11][12] As a U.S. senator, Schatz is one of Pomona's highest-profile alumni; Pomona invited him to be thecommencement speaker for its Class of 2017.[13] After graduating in 1994 with aBachelor of Arts inphilosophy, he returned to Hawaii, where he taught at Punahou before taking on other jobs in the nonprofit sector. He was briefly a member of theGreen Party.[14]
Schatz became active in the community as a teenager through his involvement in Youth for Environmental Services. He then served asCEO of Helping Hands Hawaii and director of the Makiki Community Library and of the Center for a Sustainable Future. In March 2010, Schatz stepped down from Helping Hands to run forlieutenant governor.[15] He was a member of the 2007 class of the Pacific Century Fellows.[16]
In 1998, Schatz challenged the incumbent State Representative of the 24th district of theHawaii House of Representatives, Republican Sam Aiona, and won, 53%–47%.[17] In the 2000 rematch he was reelected, 57%–43%.[18]
In 2002 he ran in the newly redrawn 25th House district, and defeated Republican Bill Hols, 69%–31%.[19] In 2004 he defeated Republican Tracy Okubo, 64%–36%.[20] The 25th district includesMakiki andTantalus onOahu.
Schatz ran forHawaii's 2nd congressional district, vacated byEd Case, who had decided to run for the U.S. Senate against incumbentDaniel Akaka. The Democratic primary featured 10 candidates, seven of whom served in theHawaii Legislature.Mazie Hirono, thelieutenant governor, was the only one who had held statewide office and thus enjoyed the most name recognition. She also raised the most money, mostly because of the endorsement ofEMILY's List,[21] and lent her own campaign $100,000. She won theprimary with 22% of the vote, just 845 votes ahead of State SenatorColleen Hanabusa. Schatz finished sixth with 7% of the vote, behind Hirono and four state senators.[22][23]
One of the earliest supporters ofBarack Obamafor president, Schatz founded a group with other Hawaii Democrats in December 2006 to urge Obama to run, saying, "For the last six years we've been governed by fear, fear of terrorists, fear of other countries, even fear of the other party...everyone is governing by fear and Barack Obama changes all of that. He wants to govern the United States by hope."[24] In 2008, Schatz worked as spokesman for Obama's campaign in Hawaii.[25]
In April 2008, Schatz began running for the position of chairman of theDemocratic Party of Hawaii,[26] and won the job at the state convention the following month. During his tenure, the Democrats increased the number of active party members and delivered Obama's best performance of any state in the country. Hawaii native Obamawon the state with 72% of the vote; just 54% of the state voted for Democratic nomineeJohn Kerry in2004. Schatz stepped down as party chairman on January 9, 2010.[27]
On January 10, 2010, Schatz announced his candidacy forlieutenant governor of Hawaii.[28] His campaign priorities included the creation of clean-energy jobs, public education, and technological improvements in the public sector. He also declared his support forHawaii House Bill 444,[29] which would have allowed same-sexcivil unions in Hawaii but was vetoed by Republican GovernorLinda Lingle.[30] A number of Hawaiilabor unions endorsed Schatz for lieutenant governor in the Democratic primary, held on September 18, 2010.[31] Schatz won the nomination with 34.8% of the vote, and thus becameNeil Abercrombie's running mate in the November general election.
On December 6, 2010, Schatz was inaugurated as Hawaii's 11th lieutenant governor alongside Abercrombie, who had defeated Republican incumbent Lieutenant GovernorDuke Aiona in the gubernatorial election.Hawaii State Supreme Court Associate JusticeJames E. Duffy, Jr. administered the oath of office at the Coronation Pavilion on the grounds ofʻIolani Palace.
Shortly before SenatorDaniel Inouye died on December 17, 2012,[32] he dictated a letter to GovernorNeil Abercrombie asking that U.S. RepresentativeColleen Hanabusa be appointed to finish his term.[33][34]
Hawaii law on interim appointments to the U.S. Senate requires the governor to choose from three candidates selected by the party of the previous officeholder. On December 26, 2012, theHawaii Democratic Party nominated Schatz, Hanabusa, and deputy director of the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural ResourcesEsther Kia'aina. The same day, Abercrombie appointed Schatz, despite Inouye's request.[35] Later that night, Schatz accompanied PresidentBarack Obama back toWashington, D.C. onAir Force One.[36] On December 27, Schatz was sworn in as a senator by Vice PresidentJoe Biden. He became only the sixth person to represent Hawaii in the U.S. Senate, and only the second who was not Asian American, afterOren E. Long.
Schatz announced his intention to run for election in thespecial election to be held in 2014 for the balance of Inouye's ninth term. In April 2013 Hanabusa announced she would challenge Schatz in the primary. The core of the Schatz campaign was climate change and renewable energy.[37] Schatz defeated Hanabusa by 1,782 votes (0.75%)[38] in a primary delayed in two precincts byHurricane Iselle.[39]
As expected in heavily Democratic Hawaii, Schatz went on to win the general election, defeating RepublicanCampbell Cavasso with about 70% of the vote.[40]
In 2016, Schatz ran for and easily won his first full six-year Senate term against only nominal opposition.[41]
According toNew York magazine, Schatz had a low-profile but highly influential effect on the Democratic primary for the 2020 presidential election by pushing fellow Democrats to commit to progressive positions on issues such as healthcare, climate, college affordability andSocial Security.[42]
Schatz announced he intended to run for reelection for a second full term.[43] He was challenged by Republican state representativeBob McDermott.[44] Schatz won overwhelmingly, earning 69.4% of the total vote.[45]
During his time in the Senate, Schatz has developed a reputation as a liberal Democrat. He tends to vote with his party on both policy and procedural issues most of the time.[46] GovTrack ranks Schatz as a more moderate member of his caucus.[47] Schatz has been a part of numerous pieces of bipartisan legislation. He has co-sponsored 48 bills that have become law, including the bipartisan Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2021 and theJohn D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act.[48] He has been the primary sponsor for seven bills, including the Native American Veterans' Memorial Amendments Act of 2013 and the NIST Small Business Cybersecurity Act. His primary areas of focus include healthcare, education, government operations, and national security.[47] Schatz was instrumental in increasing the minimum smoking age to 21[49] and securing paid family leave for federal workers.[50] He has also led efforts to expand telehealth services.[43]
Schatz has also brought a large amount of federal funding to Hawaii. He secured reservation funding[51] and transportation funding.[52]
In April 2023,Morning Consult reported that Schatz was the "most popular" senator in the country, averaging an approval rating of 65% and a disapproval rating of 24%.[53]
Schatz was participating in the certification of the2021 United States Electoral College vote count when Trump supportersstormed the United States Capitol. He called the storming "despicable".[54] Schatz called for Trump's removal from office through both the invocation of the25th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and theimpeachment process.[55] He called Trump a "danger todemocracy itself".[56] Schatz twice voted to impeach Trump.
Source:[57]
According toNew York magazine, Schatz is aprogressive but not a "Sanders-style bomb-thrower".[42] He was characterized as a low-profile yet highly influential senator in pushing fellow Democrats to adopt progressive policy positions.[42] TheAmerican Conservative Union gave him a 3% lifetime conservative rating in 2013.[66]
Schatz ispro-choice. He supports access to legalabortion without restrictions.[67]NARAL Pro-Choice America gave him a 100% rating.[68]
Schatz supportsincome tax increases to balance the budget and federal spending to support economic growth.[68]
Schatz supportssame-sex marriage.[69] He sponsored legislation in 2015 to allow married gay couples to have equal access to the veterans benefits and Social Security they have earned.[70] Schatz supportsLGBTQIA+ rights. He received a 100% rating from theHuman Rights Campaign.[68] Schatz supports transgender rights.[71]
Schatz stopped short of calling for the legalization ofmarijuana in Hawaii in 2014, and has called for the criminalization of date-rape drugs. In 2016, he advocated for immunity for banks offering services to marijuana businesses.[67]
To encourage tourism in West Hawaii, Schatz proposed that customs begin inJapan so that planes can arrive in West Hawaii as domestic flights.[72]
In March 2014, Schatz was a lead organizer of an overnight talkathon devoted to discussingclimate change. The gathering of over two dozen Senate Democrats took place on theSenate floor. TheLeague of Conservation Voters supported the talkathon and ran campaign ads on Schatz's behalf.[73] He has received a perfect score from theLeague of Conservation Voters.[74]
In 2019, Schatz voiced his support for both aGreen New Deal and acarbon tax as means to reduce emissions, saying that the two proposals are "perfectly compatible" with each other.[75][76]
Schatz believes that climate change is a threat and has supported clean energy initiatives. In 2013, he wrote an op-ed promoting subsidies for wind turbines. He has advocated for 50% clean and carbon-free electricity by 2030.[67] He opposed theKeystone Pipeline.[68]
Along withMartin Heinrich andSheldon Whitehouse, Schatz is one of the "Three Climateers" of the Senate, driving and negotiating legislation to address climate change, culminating in theInflation Reduction Act of 2022.[77]
Schatz was a member of the Senate Democrats' Special Committee on the Climate Crisis, which published a report of its findings in August 2020.[78]
Schatz criticizedChina'sisland-building activities, saying that "China's outsized claim to the entire South China Sea has no basis in international law."[79]
In October 2017, Schatz condemned thegenocide of theRohingya Muslim minority inMyanmar and called for a stronger response to the crisis.[80]
Schatz spearheaded a nonbinding resolution in July 2018 "warning President Trump not to let the Russian government question diplomats and other officials". The resolution states the United States "should refuse to make available any current or former diplomat, civil servant, political appointee, law enforcement official or member of the Armed Forces of the United States for questioning by the government ofVladimir Putin". It passed by a vote of 98–0.[81]
In 2024, Schatz introduced an amendment to a national security package endorsing the creation of aPalestinian state in response to the2023 Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip and inflammatory statements byBenjamin Netanyahu. He called the amendment a message of "hope for a peaceful and prosperous and healthy future".[82] In April 2025, Schatz voted for a pair of resolutions proposed by SenatorBernie Sanders to cancel theTrump administration's sales of $8.8 billion in bombs and other munitions to Israel. The proposals were defeated, 82 to 15.[83]
Schatz supportsgun control legislation. He voted for a 2013 bill banning high-capacity magazines of over 10 bullets, and co-sponsored legislation requiring background checks for every firearm sale in 2019.[67] As of 2010, theNational Rifle Association had given Schatz a "C" grade for his mixed voting record regardinggun law.[84]
Schatz participated in theChris Murphy gun control filibuster in 2016.[85] He expressed disappointment when both the Democrat-proposed Feinstein Amendment (making the sale of firearms to individuals on the terrorist watchlist illegal) and the Republican-supported background check changes and gun sale alert system did not pass the Senate. He said:[86]
More than 90% of Americans demand we take action on gun violence, but again Senate Republicans refuse to act. It's unacceptable. Right now, known terrorists are banned from getting on an airplane, but they are still allowed to buy military-style weapons. It is absolutely insane. After one of the most horrific mass shootings in our history, we saw people across the country courageously stand up against gun violence and hatred. When will Republicans in Congress finally do the same?
In response to the2017 Las Vegas shooting, Schatz said, "We can do more than lower the flag to half-mast. We can take a stand against gun violence by passing common-sense gun safety laws."[87]
Schatz supports SenatorBernie Sanders's single-payer proposal, but also introduced his own proposal which would allow states to expandMedicaid into a universal system.[88][89] Schatz supports theAffordable Care Act but supported a religious exemption from its individual mandate.[67]
In April 2019, Schatz was one of 41 senators to sign a bipartisan letter to the housing subcommittee praising theDepartment of Housing and Urban Development's Section 4 Capacity Building program as authorizing "HUD to partner with national nonprofit community development organizations to provide education, training, and financial support to local community development corporations (CDCs) across the country" and expressing disappointment that President Trump's budget "has slated this program for elimination after decades of successful economic and community development." The senators wrote of their hope that the subcommittee would support continued funding for Section 4 in Fiscal Year 2020.[90]
In 2021, Schatz and SenatorTodd Young co-authored the Yes in My Backyard (YIMBY) Act, which created a federal fund that encourages new home construction and less restrictive local zoning laws.[91] The bill passed as part of the $1.7 trillion spending bill (H.R. 2617) on December 20, 2022.[92]
In one of his first Senate votes, Schatz voted against theFISA Amendments Act Reauthorization Act of 2012.[93] On April 17, 2013, he voted to expandbackground checks for gun purchases.[94]
Schatz voted for theCybersecurity Information Sharing Act, a bill many civil liberties groups opposed.[95][96]
In January 2025, Schatz and SenatorsChris Murphy,Ted Cruz, andKatie Britt introduced theKids Off Social Media Act (KOSMA). SenatorsJohn Curtis,Peter Welch,John Fetterman,Ted Budd ,Mark Warner, andAngus King also co-sponsored the act,[97] which would set a minimum age of 13 to use social media platforms and prevent social media companies from feeding "algorithmically targeted" content to users under 17. Schatz said: "There is no good reason for a nine-year-old to be onInstagram orSnapchat. The growing evidence is clear: social media is making kids more depressed, more anxious, and more suicidal. Yet tech companies refuse to anything about it because it would hurt their bottom line. This is an urgent health crisis, and Congress must act with the boldness and urgency it demands". He continued, "Protecting kids online is not a partisan issue, and our bipartisan coalition—which includes several parents of kids and teenagers—represents the millions of parents across the country who've long been asking for help".[98][99][100]
Of Trump's 2017 Supreme Court nomineeNeil Gorsuch, Schatz said in a statement, "We need to know if Judge Gorsuch will serve as an independent check on the executive and legislative branches. We need to know if Judge Gorsuch will interpret the law fairly or reliably favor the powerful. And we need to know if he will uphold the right to privacy, the basis for a woman's right to choose. Judge Gorsuch has refused to give the Senate any clarity. In case after case, Judge Gorsuch consistently sided with corporations over individuals, undermined women’s rights, and failed to protect workers."[101] Schatz voted againstGorsuch's confirmation, but he was confirmed in a 54–45 vote.[102]
Of Trump's 2018 Supreme Court nomineeBrett Kavanaugh, Schatz said in a statement, "Judge Brett Kavanaugh has a troubling record of undermining civil liberties, opposing environmental protection, favoring corporations over workers, and undermining reproductive rights".[103] Schatz also said the FBI should investigate the allegations against Kavanaugh.[104] Schatz voted againstKavanaugh's nomination, but Kavanaugh was confirmed in a 50–48 vote.[105]
Schatz did not support Trump's 2020 Supreme Court nomineeAmy Coney Barrett. He said in a statement, "We are just weeks away from Election Day, but Republicans are rushing to confirm a justice to the Supreme Court before the American people get a chance to make their voices heard. They are hurrying their nominee onto the Court to help overturn theAffordable Care Act, kicking millions off their health care in the middle of the worst public health crisis in a century. With voting already underway, the people should decide who they think should pick our next Supreme Court justice. I will not support this nominee".[106] Schatz voted againstBarrett's nomination, but she was confirmed in a 52–48 vote.[107]
In April 2022, Schatz met withJoe Biden's Supreme Court nomineeKetanji Brown Jackson. Schatz called her "exceptionally qualified to serve on the Supreme Court" and said, "Throughout her years of public service, she has demonstrated a dedication to the Constitution, including a strong commitment to equal justice under the law". Schatz voted to confirmJackson's nomination, and she was confirmed in a 53–47 vote.[108]
Of Trump's 2017Secretary of State nomineeRex Tillerson, Schatz said in a statement, "From international human rights to the grave threats facing our country, Mr. Tillerson’s views do not align with well-established, bipartisan foreign policy. The United States has built our global leadership on a foundation of core American values of liberty and justice for all—values that were missing from Mr. Tillerson’s testimony in his nomination hearing. After reviewing his record and his testimony before the Senate, I do not believe Mr. Tillerson is the right person to lead the State Department. I will vote no on his nomination to lead the State Department."[109] Tillerson was confirmed in a 56–43 vote.[110]
Schatz voted to confirmMike Pompeo asCIA Director in 2017.[111] When Trump nominated Pompeo to succeed Tillerson as Secretary of State in 2018, Schatz said onTwitter (now X), "I voted YES on Pompeo for CIA on the theory that he would be the 'adult in the room.' I was wrong. I am voting NO on Pompeo for Secretary of State because our top diplomat should believe in diplomacy. He has an alarming tendency towards military provocation and brinkmanship."[112] Pompeo was confirmed in a 57–42 vote.[113]
Of Trump's 2017Secretary of the Treasury nomineeSteven Mnuchin, Schatz said in a statement, "Steven Mnuchin has a troubling business record using predatory business tactics. The United States government entrusted his company,OneWest, to help seniors and working families stay in their homes during the housing crisis. His company did the exact opposite, preying on vulnerable homeowners and profiting from it. In addition to his disturbing record, Steven Mnuchin has pledged to roll back the consumer protections that were put into place to stop the kind of reckless practices that caused thefinancial crisis in 2008. This is dangerous and irresponsible, and that’s why I will be voting no on Steven Mnuchin’s confirmation."[114] Mnuchin was confirmed in a 51–48 vote.[115]
In 2017, Schatz voted to confirm Trump's nomineeJim Mattis asSecretary of Defense. Mattis was confirmed in a 98–1 vote.[116] After Mattis resigned, effective in 2019, Trump nominatedMark Esper for the position. Schatz voted to confirm Esper, who was confirmed in a 90–8 vote.[117]
In 2017, Schatz voted against Trump'sAttorney General nominee,Jeff Sessions. He said in a statement, "Throughout Sen. Sessions' career, he has been on the wrong side of history. As a U.S. attorney and in the Senate, he failed to protect fundamental civil rights, including the right to vote. When he had the chance to protect equal rights for LGBTQ Americans and help reform a racially biased and outdated sentencing system, he refused to do so. When the Department of Justice worked to end racial discrimination and the use of excessive force by police, he stood in opposition. And when confronted with the reality of the president's inhumane plan to deport undocumented children who call the United States home, he showed zero empathy. Time and time again, when presented with the opportunity to advocate for the central mission of the Justice Department—pursuing equal justice for all—Sen. Sessions fell short."[118] Sessions was confirmed in a 52–47 vote.[119] After Sessions resigned, Trump nominatedWilliam Barr (attorney general under PresidentGeorge H. W. Bush) to the position. Schatz voted against Barr, saying, "Mr. Barr has been clear where he should be vague, and vague where he should be clear".[120] Barr was confirmed in a 54–45 vote.[121]
In 2017, Trump nominatedRyan Zinke forSecretary of the Interior. Schatz voted against his nomination, but he was confirmed in a 67–31 vote.[122] After Zinke resigned, Trump nominatedDavid Bernhardt to the position. Schatz voted against Bernhardt's nomination, but he was confirmed in a 56–41 vote.[123]
Trump nominatedSonny Perdue forSecretary of Agriculture in 2017. Schatz voted to confirm Perdue, and he was confirmed in an 87–11 vote.[124][125]
Trump nominatedWilbur Ross forSecretary of Commerce in 2017. Schatz voted to confirm Ross, and he was confirmed in a 72–27 vote.[126][127]
Trump nominatedTom Price forSecretary of Health and Human Services in 2017. Schatz expressed concern about Price's nomination and voted against it. Price was confirmed in a 52–47 vote.[128][129] After Price's controversial tenure and resignation, Trump nominatedAlex Azar to fill the position. Schatz voted against Azar, citing his positions on theAffordable Care Act and the healthcare system. Azar was confirmed in a 55–43 vote.[130][131]
Schatz voted to confirm nearly all of PresidentJoe Biden's cabinet nominees, includingAntony Blinken asSecretary of State,[132]Janet Yellen asSecretary of the Treasury,[133]Lloyd Austin asSecretary of Defense,[134]Merrick Garland asAttorney General,[135]Deb Haaland asSecretary of the Interior,[136]Tom Vilsack asSecretary of Agriculture,[137]Gina Raimondo asSecretary of Commerce,[138]Marty Walsh asSecretary of Labor,[139] andXavier Beccera asSecretary of Health and Human Services. All were confirmed.[140]
Schatz is married to Linda Kwok Kai Yun. They have two children.[141][142]
Schatz has three brothers, including an identical twin brother, Steve. Steve is executive director of Hawaii P-20 Partnerships for Education, an interagency educational partnership at theUniversity of Hawaii at Manoa.[143] He formerly ran theHawaii Department of Education's Office of Strategic Reform.[144]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Brian Schatz | 83,431 | 34.8 | |
| Democratic | Robert Bunda | 45,973 | 19.2 | |
| Democratic | Norman Sakamoto | 44,462 | 18.5 | |
| Democratic | Gary Hooser | 22,878 | 9.5 | |
| Democratic | Lyla Berg | 20,161 | 8.4 | |
| Democratic | Jon Riki Karamatsu | 6,746 | 2.8 | |
| Democratic | Steve Hirakami | 2,695 | 1.1 | |
| Total votes | 226,346 | 100 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Neil Abercrombie / Brian Schatz | 222,724 | 57.8% | |||
| Republican | Duke Aiona /Lynn Finnegan | 157,311 | 40.8% | |||
| Free Energy Party | Daniel Cunningham / Deborah Spence | 1,265 | .3% | |||
| Non-partisan | Tom Pollard / Leonard Kama | 1,263 | .3% | |||
| Turnout | 380,035 | 55.7% | ||||
| Democraticgain fromRepublican | ||||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Brian Schatz (incumbent) | 115,445 | 48.5% | |
| Democratic | Colleen Hanabusa | 113,663 | 47.7% | |
| Democratic | Brian Evans | 4,842 | 2.0% | |
| Democratic | Blank vote | 3,842 | 1.6% | |
| Democratic | Over vote | 150 | 0.2% | |
| Total votes | 237,942 | 100.0% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Brian Schatz (incumbent) | 246,827 | 69.78% | −5.03% | |
| Republican | Campbell Cavasso | 98,006 | 27.70% | +6.13% | |
| Libertarian | Michael Kokoski | 8,941 | 2.52% | +1.72% | |
| Total votes | '353,774' | '100.0%' | N/A | ||
| Democratichold | |||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Brian Schatz (Incumbent) | 162,891 | 86.17% | |
| Democratic | Makani Christensen | 11,898 | 6.29% | |
| Democratic | Miles Shiratori | 8,620 | 4.56% | |
| Democratic | Arturo Reyes | 3,819 | 2.02% | |
| Democratic | Tutz Honeychurch | 1,815 | 0.96% | |
| Total votes | 189,043 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Brian Schatz (Incumbent) | 306,604 | 70.1% | N/A | |
| Republican | John Carroll | 92,653 | 21.2% | N/A | |
| Constitution | Joy Allison | 9,103 | 2.1% | N/A | |
| Libertarian | Michael Kokowski | 6,809 | 1.6% | N/A | |
| Independent | John Giuffre | 1,393 | 0.3% | ||
| Blank votes | 20,763 | 4.7% | |||
| Over votes | 339 | 0.0% | |||
| Majority | 213,951 | 48.88% | |||
| Total votes | 437,664 | 100.0% | |||
| Democratichold | Swing | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Brian Schatz (Incumbent) | 289,585 | 71.25% | –2.41 | |
| Republican | Bob McDermott | 105,704 | 26.01% | +3.76 | |
| Libertarian | Feena Bonoan | 4,870 | 1.20% | –0.63 | |
| Green | Emma Jane Pohlman | 4,102 | 1.01% | N/A | |
| Aloha ʻĀina | Dan Decker | 2,189 | 0.54% | N/A | |
| Total votes | 406,450 | 100.0% | |||
| Democratichold | |||||
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Media from Commons
Quotations from Wikiquote
Texts from Wikisource
Data from Wikidata| Party political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Jeani Withington | Chair of theHawaii Democratic Party 2008–2010 | Succeeded by Dante Carpenter |
| Preceded by | Democratic nominee forLieutenant Governor of Hawaii 2010 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Democratic nominee forU.S. Senator fromHawaii (Class 3) 2014,2016,2022 | Most recent |
| Preceded by | Senate Democratic Chief Deputy Whip 2017–2023 Served alongside:Cory Booker (2017–2021),Jeff Merkley | Succeeded by Jeff Merkley |
| New office | Deputy Secretary of theSenate Democratic Caucus 2023–present Served alongside:Chris Murphy (2025–present) | Incumbent |
| Preceded by | Senate Democratic Chief Deputy Whip 2025–present | |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by | Lieutenant Governor of Hawaii 2010–2012 | Succeeded by |
| U.S. Senate | ||
| Preceded by | U.S. Senator (Class 3) from Hawaii 2012–present Served alongside:Daniel Akaka,Mazie Hirono | Incumbent |
| Preceded by | Chair of theSenate Indian Affairs Committee 2021–2025 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Ranking Member of theSenate Indian Affairs Committee 2025–present | Incumbent |
| Honorary titles | ||
| Preceded by | Baby of the Senate 2012–2013 | Succeeded by |
| U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial) | ||
| Preceded by | Order of precedence of the United States as United States Senator | Succeeded by |
| United States senators by seniority 34th | Succeeded by | |
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