Mike Gabbard to Switch parties, run for Governor in 2026?

CB: … Tamara McKay, state chair of the Hawaii Republican Party, is now wondering whether state Sen. Mike Gabbard might do as his daughter recently did and jump ship from the Democratic Party.

“Recently, a member approached me with thoughts on a strong candidate for Hawaii’s 2026 gubernatorial race. I suggested that if Senator Mike Gabbard were to consider switching parties, as his daughter Tulsi Gabbard has, Hawaii might warmly receive him as a viable candidate for governor,” McKay said in an emailed GOP newsletter Thursday.

(CLUE: Don’t announce private and preliminary party-switch discussions in public.  Duh.)

“This idea was met with great enthusiasm, prompting a lunch meeting with Senator Gabbard. I was informed during the lunch, Senator Gabbard expressed openness to the idea, pending thoughtful consideration and prayer with his family. This possibility brings hope for strong leadership in Hawaii, and we look forward to seeing where this journey may lead.”

(TRANSLATION: McKay wants you to know what her IQ is.  She has informed you.)

Gabbard himself, however, tells The Sunshine Blog the thought of running for governor “has never entered my mind.”

“I never said I was open to the idea. I simply said that I would talk with my family and pray about it,” he says. “At this time, I’m deeply engaged in preparing for the 2025 session and I have no interest in running for governor in 2026 as a Republican or a Democrat.”

(TRANSLATION: Gabbard admits the meeting really happened and he will ‘pray about it’ which means he will ask his Lord and Master, Chris Butler.)

Well, that clears that up. Late Thursday, McKay sent out a revised GOP email that dropped any reference to Mike Gabbard.

(TRANSLATION: McKay actually believes this ‘revised email’ can make it all go away.  Wow.  Just wow.)

read … The Sunshine Blog: Mike Gabbard For Governor? – Honolulu Civil Beat

EDITORS NOTE: This Hawai′i Free Press column is republished with permission. All rights reserved.