Republicans hope to capitalize on a Democratic Senate primary in the Aloha State. GOP sends operative to Hawaii

A GOP operative traveled to Hawaii this spring in an effort to make the Senate race there competitive.

The National Republican Senatorial Committee sent western regional political director Sarah Morgan, who managed Jeff Flake’s Senate campaign in Arizona last year, for a “campaign school” to train potential candidates and to meet with Hawaii GOP leaders.


A recent filing with the Federal Election Commission shows that the D.C.-based committee spent $847.16 at the Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa and $302.84 for a rental car on the island.

( Also on POLITICO: Dem. primary heats up in Hawaii)

The committee said she was there May 16-17 to build coalitions and do outreach. The NRSC is trying to help Hawaii’s state GOP, which has a young chairman, build an infrastructure for the midterms.

National Republicans hope to capitalize on a Democratic primary between freshman Sen. Brian Schatz — who was appointed in December to replace the late Democratic Sen. Daniel Inouye — and Rep. Colleen Hanabusa. Schatz has support from the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, Al Gore, the League of Conservation Voters Action Fund and 24 public employee unions. Hanabusa is backed by Irene Inouye, the late senator’s wife, and EMILY’s List.

( PHOTOS: Daniel Inouye’s Hawaii funeral service)

“One of the biggest secrets of the 2014 cycle is that the ugliest primary battle in America is a Democratic one in Barack Obama’s home state,” said NRSC spokesman Brad Dayspring.

Republicans had high hopes in Hawaii last year after they landed their dream recruit: moderate former Gov. Linda Lingle. But Lingle was trounced by Mazie Hirono, which so far has deterred potential GOP candidates from trying again in 2014.