Hirono made the announcement through an email blast that provided a link to a videotaped message on her campaign web site, mazieforhawaii.com. She said she was encouraged to run for the Senate after hearing from so many of her supporters.
“I’m humbled and inspired by the support I’ve received from Hawaii families,” Hirono said in the video. “So inspired that today, I am announcing my candidacy for the United States Senate.”
Hirono thanked Akaka for his decades of “distinguished public service. “I know you join me in thanking Senator Akaka for everything he has done for the people of Hawaii and wishing him and his wife, Millie, the very best,” she said.
In early March Akaka announced his plans to retire at the end of his fourth full term in office. The decision came after Dan Inouye, the longest serving member of the Senate, said he could not actively campaign for Akaka because of his new role as a chief fundraiser for the Democratic Party.
At the time Akaka announced his intention to not seek re-election he held less than $100,000 in his campaign war chest.
Inouye’s press secretary Peter Boylan said on Thursday the senator would “remain neutral” until the primary election for Akaka’s former Senate seat is finished in August of 2012.
Hirono joins former Congressman Ed Case in a democratic race that political analyst John Hart, a communications professor at Hawaii Pacific University, believes will grow exponentially in the coming months.
"I think they’ll all be in before the game is over – this is the big prize,” said Hart.
Case told Khon2 Hirono’s entry into the Senate race provides Hawaii voters a “very clear choice.”
“I look forward to a good debate her over who offers a better way forward for our Hawaii and our country,” Case said in a statement.
The Hawaii Republican Party took Hirono’s announcement for Senate as an opportunity to sharpen its attack on the three-term representative.
"Since she was a lieutenant governor as well as the last six years as being a representative for Hawaii we haven’t seen any results,” said Jonah Kaauwai, chairman of the Hawaii Republican Party.
CROWDED RACE?
Other democratic contenders for Akaka’s Senate seat include former Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann, Lt. Gov. Brian Schatz and Hirono’s Hawaii colleague in the U.S. House, Rep. Colleen Hanabusa.
In a statement Hanabusa said she received a phone before Hirono about her plans to run for the Senate and wished her well. However Hanabusa left open the possibility she would also be vying for Akaka’s seat.
"I am definitely considering a Senate run, but I am still evaluating all my options,” she Hanabusa. “I will make my decision when I feel it’s appropriate.”
After Akaka’s retirement announcement on March 2, Hanabusa began raising campaign funds. The largest donation of $5,000 was from Honolulu labor attorney Michael Nauyokas.
Nauyokas told Khon2 he donated to Hanabusa with the hopes that she would run for Senate, and not re-election in the U.S. House.
"I’ve supported her for 25 years now, every race she’s run,” said Nauyokas. “It’s my hope she’ll for Senate to replace Dan Akaka.”
If Hanabusa were to take the plunge, both of Hawaii’s House seats would be vacated by incumbents. Hawaii Democratic Party chairman Dante Carpenter told Khon2 he believes there are plenty of strong candidates available to fill the void.
“We think we have a number of very strong and potentially viable candidates who may or may not have made-up their minds at this time to fill the vacant seats that would be occurring, whether they come out of the Hawaii State Legislature or the community or the county council.”
REPUBLICAN NOMINEE?
Earlier this week former two-term governor Linda Lingle told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser she would decide by late August whether to run for Senate as the republican nominee.
In 2002 Lingle beat Hirono, then the lieutenant governor under Ben Cayetano, by 4.5 points. However winning another statewide race against a democrat – whether it’s Case, Hanabusa, Hirono or Hannemann – could prove extremely difficult on a ballot that will also feature President Barack Obama.
“I think the dems are thinking when it’s an Obama presidential year he will carry that senatorial candidate into office,” said Hart. “I think the democrats think a lot of people who normally don’t vote will be out.”
In 2008, when Obama ran as a then presidential candidate, turnout for Hawaii’s General Election was 68 percent. In 2004, also a presidential year, turnout was 46 percent.
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See the original article at: KHON2 Local News
