Gary Cordery

Why they say you should vote for them

The candidate's own case to voters, summarized from their campaign and public statements.

• Names the cost of living as the top issue facing the state and says it is driving residents, including his own family, to leave Hawaiʻi.[1],[2]
• Says he would reduce taxes, fees and the scope of state government.[1]
• Campaigns on the theme "People Over Power" and describes his ticket as committed to transparency and ending corruption.[3]
• Points to his experience as a businessman, husband, father and grandfather.[1]
• Says changing the direction of state policy would let families afford to stay in Hawaiʻi.[2]

Background

• Founder, Kingdom Builders (general contracting company)[2]
• Co-founder and former director; board member, Aloha Freedom Coalition[2]
• Republican primary candidate for Governor (finished third), State of Hawaiʻi · 2022[2]
• Construction laborer on military contracts around the country, Construction industry · 1978–1981[2]

Where they stand

• Taxes
  Proposes freezing property taxes at retirement age on primary residences and eliminating the general excise tax on food and medicine.[1],[2]
• Taxes
  Says he is committed to keeping the state income tax cuts and would add further tax relief, paired with audits of state spending.[1]
• Housing
  Proposes 15,000 fee-simple homes on state land priced at $400,000 to $600,000, expanding zoned land from 5% to 6%, and an independent permit department.[1]
• Housing
  On homelessness, says the issue requires assessing why people are on the street and supports work participation as a condition of benefits for able-bodied adults.[1]
• Energy & Environment
  Calls the visitor climate fee another tax and says its revenue should go to tangible projects for water, shorelines and natural resources.[1]
• Energy & Environment
  Says he is not necessarily opposed to liquefied natural gas and points to hydrogen, fission and small modular reactors as future options.[1]
• Elections & Democracy
  Supports banning donations from local unions and national PACs, an Office of Transparency and Audits, an elected attorney general, and ballot initiative and referendum.[1],[2]
• Abortion
  Said in 2022 that he would sign legislation "to overturn abortion" if it came to his desk as governor.[2]

Voting record

Gary Cordery has not held an office with a recorded voting record. See Background and Where they stand.

In their words