HONOLULU — Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, D-Hawaii and Democratic presidential candidate voted “present” rather than yes or no on both articles of impeachment for President Trump yesterday. She was the only member of Congress to vote “present.” Another member of Congress from her state Representative Ed Case, D-Hawaii, voted “yes” for impeachment.

Rep. Gabbard’s move disappoints her constituents in Hawaii, many of whom demonstrated in support of impeaching the president in Kahului, Maui and on the Island of Hawaii at Kailua-Kona, Waimea, Ocean View and Hilo. Rep. Gabbard’s decision is not representative of the people in her 2^nd Congressional District.

“Rather than serve the people of Hawaii who elected her, Rep. Gabbard seems to be courting certain mainland voters and sensationalistic media attention for her flailing presidential campaign,” says Sandy Ma, Executive Director of Common Cause Hawaii. “She has shamed herself with her ‘present’ vote. The people of Hawaii support impeachment, the rule of law and the U.S. Constitution.”

In a statement issued immediately after her vote was cast, Rep. Gabbard said: “After doing my due diligence in reviewing the 658-page impeachment report, I came to the conclusion that I could not in good conscience vote either yes or no.”

“I could not in good conscience vote against impeachment because I believe President Trump is guilty of wrongdoing,” Rep. Gabbard said. “I also could not in good conscience vote for impeachment because removal of a sitting president must not be the culmination of a partisan process, fueled by tribal animosities that have so gravely divided our country.”

Common Cause Hawaii believes Rep. Gabbard should have put her country first and voted for impeachment since she thinks President Trump is guilty of wrongdoing.