HONOLULU -- This year's emotional debate over equal marriage rights for gays led many to predict it would be a big issue in the election campaign.

But in the 19th state Senate district Democratic primary, where gay rights was expected to be a big issue, the candidates and the voters are focused on other things.

State Sen. Mike Gabbard represents the 19th District (Kapolei to Maili). He built his political career on his outspoken opposition to marriage rights for gays.

Gabbard said he expected a tough re-election fight. He switched parties in the middle of his four-year term -- becoming a Democrat -- and continued his leadership opposing civil unions during the Senate debate this Spring.

“I was told by various sources they'd planned to target my race,” Gabbard said.

He said he thought opponent Michael Golojuch Sr., was confirmation of that fear. Golojuch's wife, Carolyn, heads a gay rights group and their son is gay. But, Golojuch’s campaign material ignores gay rights and Gabbard.

“He has his issues and I have mine,” said Golojuch, who is a longtime member of the area Neighborhood Board and a 29-year resident of Makakilo.

Golojuch said he's running to bring jobs to the community. Although he supports full marriage rights for same-sex couples as a civil rights issue,he said he's not getting money from gay rights groups, so far, and he said he doesn't bring it up with voters. “The people don't even talk about it.”

The district has grown dramatically since it was first proposed as Oahu’s second city. Unfinished roads and overgrown vacant lots separate new government and private buildings and thousands of new homes in sprawling subdivisions. The candidates said gay rights is clearly not the first issue in people's minds.

“What's important over here is the traffic over here,” said resident Rusielyn Smith. “We got bad traffic.”

Smith’s husband Eli is an unemployed electrician. He said for his last job, in Waikiki, he shifted his start time to 5 a.m. to avoid the morning traffic. He said candidates should talk about jobs, “More jobs on this side of the island.”

So far, the campaigns reflect that. Gabbard said voter disenchantment with congestion is fading as the district blossoms with new additions.

“We got our Target we got our Costco. UH West Oahu is coming in -- the rail,” Gabbard said.

But his opponent said its not blossoming enough for many.

“They are worried about jobs, primary jobs. Saying ‘Eh, if I lose my job I'll be out of my house in two weeks’,” Golojuch said.

The winner of that primary will face Republican Aaron Bonar, 37, who said he is a former CIA accountant, in the November general.