Joe Negeuse Appointed to Represent Hawaii Congressional District 2

by Andrew Walden

Rep. Kai Kahele is at it again. 

Just three weeks after being busted by an ethics watchdog group for “conflict of interest concerns and abuse of proxy voting”, Kahele has filed his 25th ‘proxy letter’ of the Congressional Session, designating 38 year old Joe Negeuse to cast votes representing Hawaii’s Second Congressional District.

According to an on-line biography, “Neguse and his wife Andrea live in Lafayette, CO, where they are raising their young daughter, Natalie.”  Perhaps reducing numerical confusion, Negeuse also represents the 2nd Congressional District in Colorado.

Kahele, in his latest proxy letter, dated May 13, 2022, claims: “I continue to be unable to physically attend proceedings in the House Chamber due to the ongoing public health emergency….”

Kahele announced his gubernatorial campaign, speaking maskless, at a Hilo news conference May 7, 2022.

A previous Kahele proxy letter was rescinded sometime in April.  After his media debacle, Kahele apparently returned to Washington, DC where he was spotted by Fox News reporters at the Capitol April 26, 2022.  According to GovTrack.us, Kahele cast votes in Congress each day from May 10 through May 13, 2022.  It is not clear whether the May 13, 2022, votes were cast personally by Kahele or by proxy Negeuse. 

The House is set to remain in session through May 19, and again June 7-24, 2022. 

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Background: Ethics Complaint Nails Kahele