[23] Gabbard filed a 270-page complaint against Hannemann's spending,[24] saying that his campaign broke campaign finance laws by failing to report 2012 travel and polling expenses and improperly dealt with Hanneman's salary from a tourism association.

[20] Gabbard's ratings in the polls increased steadily and Hannemann's dropped throughout the primary campaign;[27] as of August 6, she was leading against Hanneman 49% to 29%.

Gabbard received endorsements from the Sierra Club,[8] Women Under Forty PAC,[28] Emily's List,[29] VoteVets and MauiTime.

The Honolulu Star-Advertiser described her win as the "improbable rise from a distant underdog to victory".

[31] Gabbard credited grassroots support as the reason for her come-from-behind win in the primary.