Charles Djou is the first Republican to represent Hawaii’s 1st congressional district since Pat Saiki decided not to seek a second term in 1990 (she unsuccessfully ran for Senate). He benefited from Democrats splitting the vote earlier this year, when a special election was held to replace Neil Abercrombie. Djou won 39.4% of the vote.

It has been generally assumed that a united Democratic front this November (at least in Hawaii) would knock Djou from office. Reclaiming the 1st district — the home town of Barack Obama — would be a bright spot for Democrats who are likely to lose control of the House of Representatives. Djou would wave good-bye to Washington and the overtly Democratic district would return to normal.

But then something happened. Djou’s support didn’t collapse despite his facing just one Democratic opponent. He remained extremely competitive. Polls began to show him with a high approval rating in the district. One poll actually showed him in the lead. Must be a glitch.

But then a poll from Public Policy Polling, a marginally Democratic firm, showed his Democratic opponent up by just one point. Another staunch Democratic polling firm could only get away with showing the Democrat with a four-point lead. And then an independent firm found Djou with the four-point lead. Now we learn Djou has significantly out-raised his Democratic opponent.

Whether Djou will win in the end is obviously unclear. But what is clear is that Djou has one hell of a chance. He has defied the odds. It’s quite a Republican success story.