Jonathan Kennealy

Jonathan Kennealy is the Republican candidate for the Hawaii House of Representatives, District 2, in the November 3, 2026 general election, challenging Democratic incumbent Susan Lee Loy.[1][2] A U.S. Army veteran who has worked in law enforcement, he advanced from the August 8, 2026 Republican primary.[1]

Jonathan Kennealy served in the U.S. Army from 2000 to 2004 and graduated from Waiakea High School; his career experience includes law enforcement.[1] In a Ballotpedia survey, he said he was born and raised in Hilo, is an Army veteran with about 20 years in law enforcement, and previously owned his own business.[3]

Kennealy ran as a Republican for Hawaii House of Representatives District 6 in 2022 and lost the general election to Democrat Kirstin Kahaloa, 67.2% to 32.8%.[1] In 2026 he is running in District 2, where he advanced from the Republican primary with 645 votes and faces incumbent Susan Lee Loy in the general election.[1][2] In the survey, he said he believes in bringing Hawaii to self-sustainability, lowering taxes and helping residents thrive, and he listed kupuna care, rehabilitation and reentry programs, special needs and disability services, homelessness and housing stability, education, public safety and infrastructure among his policy interests.[3]

Researched from the cited sources on 2026-10-21. Not yet independently fact-checked.