A Hawaii Republican lawmaker is framing this election as a referendum on decades of one-party rule and high living costs, which is good news for the GOP if it holds, but turnout worries could blunt any gains.

• Rep. Diamond Garcia said Democrats have run Hawaii for 75 years and blames that control for the state's long-running high cost of living, not just recent price jumps.
• He pointed to unusual GOP-vs-GOP tie races in West Oahu as a sign local elections are unpredictable this cycle, and said Republicans hope to flip a Senate seat left open by a retiring Democrat.
• He admitted a long, confusing ballot full of amendment questions likely discouraged some voters and may have lowered turnout, since many people didn't understand what they were voting on.
• He contrasted Hawaii's political dynamics with the national mood, arguing that even as other red-leaning states like Texas unexpectedly lean Democratic this cycle, Hawaii's problems are rooted in local one-party control rather than national trends.

Outlook: Results are expected within the hour, with Garcia's party cautiously optimistic about holding incumbents and picking up a few seats, though the odd ballot format may have dampened turnout.