Video Flashback: Ige Says He Doesn't Make Promises He Can't Keep

News Release from Hawaii Republican Party, October 10, 2014

Multiple new reports show Senator David Ige once promised Hawaii voters that he would oppose and vote against new taxes, and then proceeded to raise taxes and fees alongside Governor Neil Abercrombie over $833 million in the past four years alone.

"The curious question in this partisan scuffle is not whether Ige broke the pledge or not -- he has voted for tax increases over the past decade -- but why he would sign the pledge at all." (Derrick DePledge, "The Pledge," Honolulu Star Advertiser, 10/9/14)

This stands in stark contrast to remarks he made during the primary where he touted the value of the promises he makes to voters.

“I think everyone who has worked with me knows that my word is good. I say what I mean, I do what I say. And that has been consistent for all of my 29 years in office. You know, I don’t make promises to people that I can’t keep. And sometimes people will ask me to make promises and I refuse." (Senator David Ige, AARP Hawaii Debate, Kailua-Kona, HI, 7/29/14)

"Under Senator Ige and Governor Abercrombie's policies and leadership over the past four years, higher taxes and a soaring cost of living have only made life harder for Hawaii's middle-class families. Senator Ige has made it clear he only has four more years of these same failed policies to offer regardless of his claims during an election year." --Hawaii Republican Party Communications Advisor Ted Kwong

HNN: Republicans say Ige broke pledge on taxes