Former Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle wins GOP nomination in Hawaii for US Senate

HONOLULU – Former Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle has been picked by Hawaii voters to represent Republicans in the Aloha State's race for an open U.S. Senate seat.

Lingle easily defeated four primary opponents on Saturday night as expected. The 59-year-old well known to Hawaii after eight years as governor will now face one of two Democrats, either U.S. Rep. Mazie Hirono or former U.S. Rep. Ed Case.

Lingle is expected to start the general election as an underdog no matter what. Hawaii is heavily Democratic and is the birth state of President Barack Obama. Obama is running for re-election against Republican Mitt Romney.

Lingle has won in Hawaii before, and is pitching herself as the most logical choice for a state that rarely elects new U.S. senators.