Governing body of Hawai‘i Democratic Party making leadership changes ahead of 2024

The State Central Committee, the statewide governing body of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i on Saturday voted to remove Party Chairperson Dennis Jung and begin the process to elect new leadership heading into 2024.

The move comes after several State Central Committee meetings to discuss the state of the party and how it will prepare for upcoming elections. The committee is comprised of 83 members representing each of the state’s counties, senate districts and party caucuses.

Sixty-two of the committee’s members voted to remove Jung, who was elected to the position in May 2022 during the State Democratic Party Convention. Challenges in fundraising and filling important party officer vacancies caused a lack of confidence in the party’s direction.

During the same meeting Saturday, Kīhei, Maui, resident Donna Domingo was elected vice chair and Kāne‘ohe, O‘ahu, resident Will Caron was elected assistant secretary.

Upon the removal of the party chairperson, Domingo immediately assumed the role of acting chairperson.

“Today’s vote puts the party on a path of progress toward the 2024 election cycle,” said Domingo. “I’d like to encourage all Democrats to unite as we move the party forward.”

The acting chairperson is tasked with organizing an election to elect an interim chairperson, who will serve through the 2024 Party Convention on May 18-19.