HONOLULU — U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard won the Democratic nomination for Hawaii’s 2nd Congressional District.

Gabbard defeated Sherry Alu Campagna on Saturday to be her party’s candidate to represent rural Oahu and the neighbor islands in Congress.

Campagna had criticized Gabbard for refusing to debate her. Campagna noted Gabbard had argued in the past that candidates should participate in debates to present their positions and be held accountable for their opinions.

Gabbard was first elected to the U.S. House in 2012. She is one of the first female combat veterans to serve in Congress. She deployed to Iraq and Kuwait with the Hawaii National Guard.

Gabbard faces singer Brian Evans of Maui in the general election in November. He ran unopposed for the Republican Party’s nomination.