Election Manipulation By Any Other Name Is Still Election Manipulation

by Gary Hooser

Blaming immigrants, the mailman, and local election officials for manipulating our elections is convenient and makes for easy sound bites that resonate with many.

In reality, illegal voting by illegal immigrants occurs in minuscule numbers; voting by mail is hugely popular, and the entire local election process is closely monitored.

The real culprits, hiding in plain sight, are the rich businessmen and their SuperPACs who spend millions to elect candidates who will then help them get even richer.

But yes, it’s much easier to beat up on a faceless, nameless immigrant.

Pacific Resource Partnership (PRP), via its SuperPAC “For a Better Tomorrow,” has already spent nearly $7 million in Hawaiʻi this election cycle, AND has over $8 million in the bank, awaiting the next round. *per Campaign Spending Commission

The $7,000,000 was spent on manipulating voter opinion and electing “their candidates.”

Countless television ads were purchased. Thousands of “direct mail” pieces were sent out. Extensive voter polling, voter identification, and “push polling” were conducted. ALL paid for by the SuperPAC AND all in support of their chosen candidates.

They were clearly successful. The millions spent by “For a Better Tomorrow” ensured that PRP’s choice for Lieutenant Governor, numerous State legislators, and a number of County Councilmembers made it successfully through the Primary Election.

The outcome is totally understandable and predictable. The money advantage was overwhelming in favor of their chosen candidates.

Elections are won and lost based primarily on positive name recognition, and the candidate campaign supported by the most money will nearly always win. *70-80% of the time, according to the Campaign Legal Center.

When China or the Soviet Union have attempted in the past to sway public sentiment and manipulate U.S. elections, the headlines were full of outrage and indignation.

Yet, when the state’s largest construction union—along with more than 250 of the largest contractors in Hawaii- join together to manipulate election outcomes, there are only yawns, winks, and shoulder shrugs.

To be absolutely clear: “Manipulate” means, “the act of skillfully or unscrupulously altering something or someone to accomplish one’s own objectives.” This is what’s happening today.

What exactly do PRP and SuperPAC “For a Better Tomorrow” get for their $7,000,000?

First and foremost, they get eternal gratitude from their chosen candidates.

And of course they get access. Without question, the candidate will always take the call and always make space in their calendar when asked to do so by the big money benefactor.

The continued wealth of PRP’s member contractors depends on increased government spending on capital improvement projects (

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