It has been 54 years since Alaska and Hawaii were admitted as states in the USA. Regarding Hawaii, there was some opposition to making it a state (Southern Democrats were not thrilled with giving statehood to a territory in which whites were a minority). Some politicians thought that Hawaii would be a Republican state and Alaska overwhelmingly Democratic.
Of Hawaii's 7 governors, only two were Republicans. Hiram Fong is the only Republican to date that was elected US Senator from Hawaii. Patricia Saiki and Charles Djou are the only Republicans elected to the US House of Representatives. The GOP won Hawaii's electoral votes in 1972 and 1984.
In 2008, Mark Begich became the first Democrat since Mike Gravel to be elected US Senator from Alaska. His father, Nick Begich, was the last Democrat to represent Alaska's at-large Congressional District. The Democrats did control that state's governorship for 16 out of 20 years (1982-1990, 1994-2002). Nevertheless, Republicans control the state legislature and Alaska is a consistent GOP state on the Presidential level (1964 was only year that Democrats won that state's electoral votes).
How can Hawaii be an overwhelmingly Republican state and Alaska an overwhelmingly Democratic state? The Republicans must still be the conservative (right-wing) party and Democrats the liberal (left-wing) party.
Of Hawaii's 7 governors, only two were Republicans. Hiram Fong is the only Republican to date that was elected US Senator from Hawaii. Patricia Saiki and Charles Djou are the only Republicans elected to the US House of Representatives. The GOP won Hawaii's electoral votes in 1972 and 1984.
In 2008, Mark Begich became the first Democrat since Mike Gravel to be elected US Senator from Alaska. His father, Nick Begich, was the last Democrat to represent Alaska's at-large Congressional District. The Democrats did control that state's governorship for 16 out of 20 years (1982-1990, 1994-2002). Nevertheless, Republicans control the state legislature and Alaska is a consistent GOP state on the Presidential level (1964 was only year that Democrats won that state's electoral votes).
How can Hawaii be an overwhelmingly Republican state and Alaska an overwhelmingly Democratic state? The Republicans must still be the conservative (right-wing) party and Democrats the liberal (left-wing) party.
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