Josh Green (politician)

Green was born on February 11, 1970, in Kingston, New York, to a Jewish family. He was raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.{{Cite web |title=Lieutenant Governor's Biography |url=https://ltgov.hawaii.gov/about/lieutenant-governors-biography/ |access-date=2022-11-08 |website=ltgov.hawaii.gov |language=en |archive-date=August 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220816194605/https://ltgov.hawaii.gov/about/lieutenant-governors-biography/ |url-status=dead }} He attended Quaker Valley High School, where he graduated as one of four valedictorians in 1988; as a Quaker Valley student, he was president of the Key Club and played on the school's soccer and tennis teams.{{Cite web |last=DiVittorio |first=Michael |date=2022-03-25 |title=Edgeworth native Josh Green reflects on his roots while running for Hawaiian office |url=https://triblive.com/local/sewickley/edgeworth-native-josh-green-reflects-on-his-roots-while-running-for-hawaiian-office/ |access-date=2022-11-08 |website=TribLIVE.com |language=en-US}}

Green received a Bachelor of Science in anthropology from Swarthmore College in 1992 and his Doctor of Medicine from the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center at Pennsylvania State University in 1997.{{cite web |url= http://votesmart.org/candidate/biography/32389 |title= Joshua Green's Biography |publisher= Project Vote Smart |access-date= December 5, 2013}}{{cite web |title=Senator Josh Green |url=http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/memberpage.aspx?member=green&year=2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140930154127/http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/memberpage.aspx?member=green&year=2013 |archive-date=September 30, 2014 |access-date=December 5, 2013 |publisher=Hawaii State Legislature |location=Honolulu, Hawaii}} He completed a residency in family medicine at UPMC Shadyside in 2000.{{cite news |last1=Aubele |first1=Michael |title=Hawai‘i Gov. Josh Green's rare parlay |url=https://www.pittmed.pitt.edu/news/hawaii-governor-josh-green-resident-alumnus-shadyside-covid-response-maui-fire |access-date=5 April 2025 |work=University of Pittsburgh Medicine |date=Summer 2004}} In 2022, Swarthmore College awarded Green an honorary Doctorate of Science.{{Cite web |date=2022-04-06 |title=Law Scholar, Documentarian, Lieutenant Governor, and Ballet Dancer Named 2022 Honorary Degree Recipients |url=https://www.swarthmore.edu/news-events/law-scholar-documentarian-lieutenant-governor-and-ballet-dancer-named-2022-honorary |access-date=2022-11-15 |website=www.swarthmore.edu |language=en}}

After completing his residency in 2000, Green joined the National Health Service Corps and was stationed in Hawaii as a physician for the Big Island. He practiced family medicine and worked in emergency rooms. At times, he was the only physician in the island's rural areas. As of 2012, he remained a physician in the Big Island's rural emergency departments on weekends while he was a state senator.{{Cite web |last=Brévart-Demm |first=Carol |date=October 2012 |title=From the ER to State Senate and Back |url=https://bulletin.swarthmore.edu/bulletin-issue-archive/index.html?p=918.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151022172210/https://bulletin.swarthmore.edu/bulletin-issue-archive/index.html?p=918.html |archive-date=October 22, 2015 |website=Swarthmore College Bulletin}}

Green has been awarded Physician of the Year by the Hawaiʻi Medical Association twice in his career, first in 2009, and again in 2022 for his leadership and service during the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite web |date=2022-03-29 |title=Lt. Governor Josh Green |url=https://chaminade.edu/cifal-honolulu/cifal-speaker-series/josh-green/ |access-date=2022-11-08 |website=Chaminade University of Honolulu |language=en-US}}

Green was elected to the Hawaii House of Representatives in 2004. He represented the 6th district, based in a rural area of the western portion of the Big Island. Green served two terms before being elected to the Hawaii Senate in 2008.

Green was first elected to the Hawaii Senate in 2008. He represented the 3rd district, which encompassed the southwestern portion of the Big Island. He was reelected in 2012 and 2014. As a state senator, Green served as majority leader and chaired the Committee on Health and Human Services.

In 2013, Green was honored as "Hawaii Legislator of the Year".{{Cite web |date=2022-04-06 |title=Law Scholar, Documentarian, Lieutenant Governor, and Ballet Dancer Named 2022 Honorary Degree Recipients |url=https://www.swarthmore.edu/news-events/law-scholar-documentarian-lieutenant-governor-and-ballet-dancer-named-2022-honorary |access-date=2022-11-15 |website=www.swarthmore.edu |language=en}} He championed the initiative to create an insurance mandate for children with autism via legislation known as Luke's Law. The legislation went into effect on January 1, 2016.

In 2018, Green fought to establish a legal safeguard so that parents with disabilities would no longer have their children taken away from them because of their disabilities. He also led the charge to raise the legal age to obtain tobacco products and electronic cigarettes from 18 to 21, making Hawaii the first U.S. state to do so.

Green opted not to run for reelection to the Senate in 2018. He was succeeded by Dru Kanuha, who now serves as majority leader.

{{see also|2018 Hawaii gubernatorial election#Lieutenant governor}}

File:Lieutenant Governor of Hawaii Josh Green (cropped 2).jpg

In 2018, Green won the Democratic primary for lieutenant governor of Hawaii and was the running mate of incumbent Democratic Governor David Ige, who was running for a second term. In Hawaii, gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial candidates run in separate primaries but on the same ticket in the general election. Ige and Green won the general election on November 6, 2018.{{Cite web |title=Hawaii Lt. Gov. Josh Green wins Democratic primary for governor |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/hawaii-primary-election-results-josh-green-brian-schatz-ed-case/ |access-date=2022-11-08 |website=CBS News |date=August 14, 2022 |language=en-US}}

Ige tasked Green with addressing Hawaii's chronic homelessness crisis and called on him to use his background as a physician to address how mental illness and addiction affect Hawaii's homeless population.{{Cite web|last=Nakaso|first=Dan|date=2019-02-28|title=Lt. Gov. Josh Green targets homelessness|url=https://www.staradvertiser.com/2019/02/28/hawaii-news/lieutenant-governor-targets-homelessness/|access-date=2020-06-29|website=Honolulu Star-Advertiser|language=en-US}}

In 2019, shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic, Green led a team of over 75 doctors, nurses and other Hawaii health care workers on an emergency medical mission to Samoa. They aided in vaccination efforts against a measles epidemic across the region.{{Cite web |first=Kristen |last=Consillio |date=2019-12-04 |title=Lt. Gov. Josh Green assembles health care workers for emergency medical mission to Samoa |url=https://www.staradvertiser.com/2019/12/04/hawaii-news/lt-gov-josh-green-assembles-health-care-workers-for-emergency-medical-mission-to-samoa-2/ |access-date=2022-11-15 |website=Honolulu Star-Advertiser |language=en-US}}

On March 3, 2020, Ige appointed Green as the administration's liaison between the state and healthcare community as it pertains to COVID-19 preparedness and response.{{cite web |last1=Ige |first1=David |title=Office Of The Governor — News Release — Gov. Ige Designates Lt. Gov. Green As Administration's Covid-19 Healthcare Liaison |url=https://governor.hawaii.gov/newsroom/latest-news/office-of-the-governor-news-release-gov-ige-designates-lt-gov-green-as-administrations-covid-19-healthcare-liaison/ |website=Office of the Governor |publisher=State of Hawai`i |access-date=9 April 2021}}

A poll conducted in April 2021 by Hawaii News Now found that Green had a 63% approval rating, with only 17% of voters disapproving of his work as lieutenant governor, while Ige held an approval rating of 22%.{{Cite web|url=https://www.civilbeat.org/2021/05/civil-beat-hnn-poll-hawaii-voters-really-really-like-lt-gov-josh-green/|title=Civil Beat/HNN Poll: Hawaii Voters Really, Really Like Lt. Gov. Josh Green|date=5 May 2021}} It is speculated that Green's visibility throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and background as an emergency room doctor contributed to the difference.{{cite web | url= https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2021/7/16/2040136/-Morning-Digest-Hawaii-is-hosting-its-first-open-governor-s-race-in-years-Here-s-the-field-so-far | title = Hawaii is hosting its first open governor's race in years. Here's the field so far | publisher = Daily Kos | date= July 16, 2021}}

File:Josh Green in Tokyo 2024-09-05.jpg

{{Main|2022 Hawaii gubernatorial election}}

In August 2019, Green announced he was considering a run for governor of Hawaii in the 2022 election.{{cite news |last1=Nagaoka |first1=Ashley |title=Believe it or not, race to replace Gov. Ige is already taking shape|url=https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2019/08/16/race-replace-gov-ige-is-already-taking-shape/|access-date=August 16, 2019 |work=Hawaii News Now |date=February 24, 2021}} He launched his campaign on February 10, 2022.{{Cite news |last=Dayton |first=Kevin |title=Lt. Gov. Josh Green Officially Announces His Campaign For Governor |url=https://www.civilbeat.org/beat/lt-gov-josh-green-officially-announces-his-campaign-for-governor/|access-date=February 10, 2022|date=February 10, 2022|website=Honolulu Civil Beat}}

Green won the Democratic primary on August 13, 2022; his running mate was Democratic state representative Sylvia Luke. On November 8, 2022, Green won the general election, defeating Republican nominee and former Hawaii Lieutenant Governor Duke Aiona in the general election.{{Cite news|title=Green thanks supporters after decisive primary election win in Democratic race for governor|url=https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2022/08/13/green-heads-into-primary-election-race-governor-with-commanding-lead-over-democratic-rivals/|access-date=August 14, 2022|date=August 14, 2022|website=Hawaii News Now}}

Green was inaugurated as the ninth governor of Hawaii on December 5, 2022.{{cite web|url=https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2022/12/05/upcoming-livestream-josh-green-be-inaugurated-hawaiis-9th-governor/|title=In inauguration speech, Green pledges focus on easing cost of living with housing, tax priorities|date=December 5, 2022 |publisher=Hawaii News Now|accessdate=April 11, 2023}} In his inaugural address, he addressed the rising cost of living and vowed to combat it through affordable housing and tax priorities.

In March 2023, Green signed legislation expanding access to abortion and protecting health care providers from out-of-state prosecution.McAvoy, Audrey (March 23, 2023). [https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/hawaii/articles/2023-03-22/new-hawaii-law-expands-abortion-access-protects-providers New Hawaii law expands reproductive rights, protects providers]. USNews. Retrieved December 4, 2023. In June, after similar laws were passed in New York and New Jersey, he signed legislation that expanded rights to carry a concealed weapon, while at the same time prohibiting guns in most public places, including hospitals, movie theaters, beaches, and bars, adding to the state's already strict gun laws.McAvoy, Audrey (June 3, 2023). [https://apnews.com/article/hawaii-gun-control-law-concealed-carry-permit-72e5ebe107fdea85319a4552dcb23b97 Hawaii allows more concealed carry after US Supreme Court ruling, but bans guns in most places]. Associated Press. Retrieved December 4, 2023. In July, Green issued an emergency declaration on Hawaii's housing crisis that included an executive order streamlining housing construction in Hawaii and suspending various state and local land use regulations.{{Cite web |last=Yerton |first=Stewart |date=2023-07-18 |title=Hawaii Gov Takes Dramatic Action To Solve Housing Crisis. But Is He Going Too Far? |url=https://www.civilbeat.org/2023/07/hawaii-gov-takes-dramatic-action-to-solve-housing-crisis-but-is-he-going-too-far/ |website=Honolulu Civil Beat |language=en}}

In 2024, Green signed a bill to exempt medical services from General Excise Tax (GET) under Medicare, Medicaid, and TRICARE.{{Cite web |title=Bill exempts certain health care providers from GET |url=https://spectrumlocalnews.com/hi/hawaii/politics/2024/05/03/bill-exempts-certain-health-care-providers-from-get |access-date=2024-07-18 |website=spectrumlocalnews.com |language=en}} He also signed healthcare legislation that emphasizes mental wellness and expands programs to strengthen Hawaii's healthcare workforce, as well as promoting Native Hawaiian resources.{{Cite web |last=Yamamoto |first=Kacie |date=2024-06-28 |title=Green signs bills addressing health care systems into law |url=https://www.staradvertiser.com/2024/06/28/hawaii-news/green-signs-bills-addressing-health-care-systems-into-law/ |access-date=2024-07-18 |website=Honolulu Star-Advertiser |language=en}} Bills signed in the 2024 legislative session would make Hawaiian language learning more accessible in both early education and universities and would mandate the creation of sustainable tourism strategies that account for Native Hawaiian cultural values.{{Cite web |last=none |date=2024-06-30 |title=Green signs bills supporting Native Hawaiians |url=https://www.thegardenisland.com/2024/06/30/hawaii-news/green-signs-bills-supporting-native-hawaiians/ |access-date=2024-07-18 |website=The Garden Island |language=en-US}} Green also signed policy into law on issues like regulated child and elderly safety, local agriculture and land practices, veteran support, and commercial ocean activities.{{Cite web |title=Gov. Green highlights some of 253 bills signed into law {{!}} Maui Now |url=https://mauinow.com/2024/07/11/gov-green-highlights-some-of-253-bills-signed-into-law/ |access-date=2024-07-18 |website={{!}} Gov. Green highlights some of 253 bills signed into law}}

Green is Jewish.{{Cite news|first= Lisa|last= Klug |title= A small island of Judaism in Hawaiian politics - Tiny but stalwart, the Jewish contingent on America's youngest state maintains a unique, and strong, sense of identity |newspaper=Times of Israel|date=July 20, 2016 |url= https://www.timesofisrael.com/a-small-island-of-judaism-in-hawaiian-politics/ |quote=I was the only Jewish child in my school growing up and people looked to my family to explain Judaism and the High Holidays to them,” says Green, who grew up Reform and lives in Kailua-Kona in Hawaii, the Big Island.}} He married Jaime Ushiroda in 2006. The couple met when Ushiroda, a family law expert, was clerking for Suzanne Chun Oakland, who was chair of the state's Human Services committee.{{cite web |last1=Cataluna |first1=Lee |title=Hawaii's Next First Lady Brings Career Experience And Life Lessons To The Role |url=https://www.civilbeat.org/2022/11/lee-cataluna-hawaiis-next-first-lady-brings-career-experience-and-life-lessons-to-the-role/ |website=Civil Beat |date=November 9, 2022 |access-date=9 November 2022}} They have two children.{{Cite web |title=Lieutenant Governor's Biography |url=https://ltgov.hawaii.gov/about/lieutenant-governors-biography/ |access-date=2022-09-05 |website=ltgov.hawaii.gov |language=en |archive-date=August 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220816194605/https://ltgov.hawaii.gov/about/lieutenant-governors-biography/ |url-status=dead }}

Green is a fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

{{Election box begin no change|title=2018 Hawaii lieutenant gubernatorial election Democratic primary results{{cite web|url=https://files.hawaii.gov/elections/files/results/2018/primary/histatewide.pdf |title=Primary Election 2018 -State of Hawaii – Statewide |access-date=January 28, 2023|publisher=Hawaii Office of Elections}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change|candidate=Josh Green|party=Democratic Party (United States)|votes=74,845|percentage=31.4}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|candidate=Jill Tokuda|party=Democratic Party (United States)|votes=68,124|percentage=28.6}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|candidate=Bernard Carvalho|party=Democratic Party (United States)|votes=45,825|percentage=19.2}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|candidate=Kim Coco Iwamoto|party=Democratic Party (United States)|votes=34,243|percentage=14.3}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|candidate=Will Espero|party=Democratic Party (United States)|votes=15,463|percentage=6.5}}

{{Election box total no change|votes=238,500|percentage=100.0}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=2022 Hawaii gubernatorial election Democratic primary results{{cite web |title=August 13, 2022 Primary Election - Statewide Summary |url=https://files.hawaii.gov/elections/files/results/2022/primary/histatewide.pdf|website=State of Hawaii - Office of Elections}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change|party=Democratic Party (United States)|candidate=Josh Green|votes=158,161|percentage=62.91%}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|party=Democratic Party (United States)|candidate=Vicky Cayetano|votes=52,447|percentage=20.86%}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|party=Democratic Party (United States)|candidate=Kai Kahele|votes=37,738|percentage=15.01%}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|party=Democratic Party (US)|candidate=Van Tanabe|votes=1,236|percentage=0.49%}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|party=Democratic Party (US)|candidate=Richard Kim|votes=991|percentage=0.39%}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|party=Democratic Party (US)|candidate=David Bourgoin|votes=590|percentage=0.23%}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|party=Democratic Party (US)|candidate=Clyde Lewman|votes=249|percentage=0.10%}}

{{Election box total no change|votes=251,412|percentage=100.0%}}

{{Election box end}}{{Election box begin|title=2022 Hawaii gubernatorial election{{cite web |title=GENERAL ELECTION 2022 - Statewide - November 8, 2022 |work=Hawaii Office of Elections |date=November 9, 2022 |access-date=November 13, 2022 |url=https://elections.hawaii.gov/wp-content/results/histatewide.pdf}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link|party=Democratic Party of Hawaii|candidate={{ubl|Josh Green ||Sylvia Luke}}|votes=261,025|percentage=63.16%|change=+0.49%}}{{Election box candidate with party link|party=Hawaii Republican Party|candidate={{ubl|Duke Aiona|Seaula Tupa'i Jr.}}|votes=152,237|percentage=36.84%|change=+3.14%}}{{Election box total|votes=413,262|percentage=100.0%}}{{Election box turnout|votes=417,215|percentage=48.44%|change={{nowrap|{{en dash}}4.24}}}}{{Election box registered electors|reg. electors=861,358}}{{Election box hold with party link no swing|winner=Democratic Party of Hawaii}}{{Election box end}}

{{reflist}}

{{commons category}}

• [https://governor.hawaii.gov/ Governor of the State of Hawai'i] official government website
• [https://joshgreenforhawaii.com/ Josh Green for Hawaii] campaign website
• {{C-SPAN|135810}}
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20140930154127/http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/memberpage.aspx?member=green&year=2013 Profile] at the Hawaii State Legislature (archived)

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Category:1970 births

Category:Living people

Category:21st-century American Jews

Category:21st-century American physicians

Category:21st-century members of the Hawaii State Legislature

Category:Democratic Party governors of Hawaii

Category:Democratic Party Hawaii state senators

Category:Democratic Party members of the Hawaii House of Representatives

Category:Jewish American state governors of the United States

Category:Jewish American state legislators in Hawaii

Category:Jewish physicians

Category:Lieutenant governors of Hawaii

Category:Penn State College of Medicine alumni

Category:Swarthmore College alumni

Category:People from Hawaii (island)

Category:Politicians from Kingston, New York

Category:Politicians from Pittsburgh