Elijah Pierick is a Republican incumbent representing one of Hawaii’s most competitive districts, and one of its most extreme. Since flipping a West Oʻahu seat in 2022, Pierick has embraced the far-right playbook: attacking LGBTQ+ inclusion in schools, protesting drag storytime events, and pushing abortion bans wildly out of step with Hawaii’s values.
In 2024, he barely survived, defeating Democrat Corey Rosenlee by just 20 votes out of nearly 10,000 cast, a 0.2% margin so thin it triggered an automatic recount. For most of election night, Rosenlee was ahead, and Pierick only pulled into the lead with a last-minute wave of same-day Republican turnout. His razor-thin victory wasn’t a show of strength. It was a warning sign. District 39 is diverse, working-class, and trending blue. And Pierick is governing like it isn’t.
He may have squeaked by in 2024, but voters now know his record. He’s up in 2026, but the race has already begun.
He’s exposed. He’s extreme. He’s beatable.
Anti-LGBTQ+ and Anti-Family Record
In 2023, filmed himself questioning a Pride flag at ʻEwa Makai Middle School, sparking bipartisan backlash.
Hawaii State Teachers Association and 15 lawmakers filed a complaint; GOP Senator Fevella condemned him.
Disinvited from Kapolei Prince Kūhiō Parade.
Protested drag storytime events; described as too extreme for community Pride.
Consistently portrays LGBTQ families and educators as harmful.
Behavior worsens stigma for LGBTQ youth in a state where inclusion and aloha are core values.
Attacks on Reproductive Freedom
Outlier in pro-choice Hawaiʻi; voted against SB1 codifying abortion rights in 2023.
One of only seven to oppose protections shielding doctors from out-of-state prosecutions.
Introduced a six-week “heartbeat” ban and invoked religious arguments.
Positions are deeply unpopular; >70% of Hawaiians support abortion rights.
His absolutism risks criminalizing doctors and restricting healthcare.
Culture War Over Constituents
Campaigned on affordability and schools but governed as a culture warrior.
Prioritized anti-LGBTQ and anti-abortion stances over cost of living, housing, and education.
Record marked by “no” votes against broadly supported bills and no local accomplishments.
Ignored core district issues (housing, traffic, jobs).
Community leaders—including moderate Republicans—frustrated with his grandstanding.
Elijah Pierick has spent his two terms pushing mainland-style culture wars into one of Hawaii’s most diverse and community-minded districts. He’s attacked LGBTQ+ kids, fought to roll back abortion rights, and ignored the pressing needs of working families.
He has:
A hardline record on LGBTQ+ rights and reproductive freedom
A razor-thin margin in a fast-changing, blue-trending district
A voting record out of step with Hawaii’s values of aloha, inclusion, and respect
No meaningful accomplishments on affordability, housing, or schools
His extremism is documented. His district is shifting. And his days in office are numbered.
