LIHU‘E — State Senate Majority Leader Gary Hooser, D-Kaua‘i-Ni‘ihau, on Friday resigned from his Senate seat, but due to state furloughs has to wait until Monday to file papers to run for lieutenant governor. He said Friday he intends to
LIHU‘E — State Senate Majority Leader Gary Hooser, D-Kaua‘i-Ni‘ihau, on Friday resigned from his Senate seat, but due to state furloughs has to wait until Monday to file papers to run for lieutenant governor.
He said Friday he intends to do just that, in Honolulu.
Meanwhile, that officially creates a vacancy in the Kaua‘i-Ni‘ihau Senate seat, and also on Monday Ron Kouchi intends to file papers seeking that office, he said.
Hooser said he wrote a brief letter of resignation, saying it has been an honor and privilege to serve in the Senate the past eight years.
The letter went to Senate President Colleen Hanabusa, D-Wai‘anae, the Senate clerk, Gov. Linda Lingle, elections officers on O‘ahu and Kaua‘i and the heads of the state and Kaua‘i Democratic parties, said Hooser.
“It’s been a tremendous honor, stressful at times,” Hooser said of his time in the Senate. “I don’t walk away lightly,” but his experiences “have prepared me for a bigger job.
“I’m focused on winning. I have a real chance. We plan on winning,” he said.
The Hawai‘i Nurses Association, Progressive Democrats and major environmental leaders across the state have endorsed Hooser, the only Neighbor Island candidate for lieutenant governor (Tuesday is the filing deadline).
“Our campaign’s really strong.”
Hooser spoke briefly on the fact that at least five members of the Senate won’t be returning to the 25-member body due to either retirement or resignations to pursue higher offices.
“I think there’s a lot of experience that remains,” and there is nothing wrong with the Senate welcoming some “new blood.”
“Frankly, I think new blood, new energy, new ideas, it’s a good thing.”
Regarding the two Democratic front-runners for governor, Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann and former U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie, Hooser said, “I know and respect both men, who like all of us have strengths and weaknesses,” and he is certain he has talents and strengths that could be beneficial to either candidate.
Hooser said he is “thankful to the good people on Kaua‘i” who elected him to the county council and Senate, and is counting on continued support from his home island in the race for lieutenant governor.
“Kaua‘i votes are tremendously important,” especially in what is shaping up to be a close race, he said. “Votes are very important, and we are going to make a special, special effort to get Kaua‘i people out to vote.
“A good campaign team here (on Kaua‘i)” allows him to run for statewide office, he said.
“We are going full speed ahead.” Every indication shows him as being one of top three people in striking distance to win, he said.
He feels he has a better organization and better momentum than anyone else.
“And, frankly, there’s a whole lot of people counting on me to do it. I need and want to grow and do more, so this is my chance, and I’m giving it 110 percent.”
Hooser has also garnered the endorsement of the Gay-Lesbian-Bisexual-Transgender Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i.
“The caucus decided to support only one candidate for lieutenant governor. There is only one lieutenant-governor candidate who stood in support of HB444 (civil unions), even when it required standing up to leadership,” said Jo-Ann Adams, caucus president.
“That one candidate is Gary Hooser. Gary treats everyone with the gracious inclusiveness that epitomizes the aloha spirit,” she said.
“As lieutenant governor he will help restore Hawai‘i’s reputation as The Aloha State.”
Hooser’s resignation opens the door for Kouchi, who has posted yard signs and issued bumper stickers for a run for Senate in anticipation of Hooser’s resignation.
“I thought Ron was a terrific council chairperson, talented, sharp,” but Hooser said he has his own race to run and win and isn’t endorsing anyone for his former Senate seat.
Kouchi on Friday said due to the timing of Hooser’s resignation any candidates for the Kaua‘i-Ni‘hau Senate seat have 10 calendar days from the effective date of Hooser’s resignation, or to July 26, to file papers to seek the seat.
“Kaua‘i has one senator” who always tries to secure a seat on the all-important money committee, Ways and Means, and it’s important “to have some experience and knowledge about how things work” in the Senate, said Kouchi.
