HI-1: New Lt. Gov. a Congressional Candidate

Several weeks ago, Attorney General Doug Chin announced that he would enter the open 1st District Democratic primary and that he would resign his appointed position in March.  Now, he accepts the Lt. Governor’s appointment since incumbent Shan Tsutsui (D) resigned to take a position in the private sector.  But, Mr. Chin will only serve on an interim basis and continue in his campaign for Congress.  Gov. David Ige (D) first offered the Lt. Governor’s office to both state Senate President Ron Kouchi (D), and then state House Speaker Scott Saiki (D) but each declined to accept. 
 
Mr. Chin faces state Sen. Donna Mercado Kim (D-Aiea), state Rep. Kaniela Ing (D-Kihei), and Honolulu City Councilman Ernie Martin in the party primary.  Rep. Colleen Hanabusa (D-Honolulu) is vacating the congressional seat to challenge Gov. Ige in the statewide Democratic primary.  The Democratic congressional nominee will become the prohibitive favorite in the general election.

--Jim Ellis