by Andrew Walden

A key deadline on the election calendar passed with little notice December 3.

Hawaii Democratic Party Rule 2B requires a minimum six months Democratic Party membership before seeking to run for office as a Democrat.

The filing deadline for the upcoming elections is June 3, 2014.  The six month Democrat cutoff was December 3, 2013.

Hawaii Republicans, Greens, and Libertarians have no waiting period for candidates.  The Republican Party is encouraging potential candidates to contact Executive Director Kayla Berube at GOP HQ.

In June, 2012 Democrats rejected the candidacy of youth pastor Shaun Kawakami for House District 36.  Running as a Republican, Kawakami had fallen only 17 votes short of defeating Rep Marilyn Lee in 2010.  He switched parties to run against Lee in the Democratic Primary in 2012.  But, as one commenter pointed out: "He thought the Dems would take him in, but they took him to the cleaners instead.  What a sap."  Republican Beth Fukumoto defeated Lee in 2012. 

This summer Oahu Democrats, led by convicted thief Michael 'Bitchbear' Golojuch, considered motions for censure of Rep Sharon Har for her opposition to gay marriage.  The motion was dropped as part of a deal paving the way to a special session.  

Candidate filing begins February 3, 2014.

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LINK: Office of Elections Calendar

LINK: Hawaii Democratic Party Bylaws

June 8, 2012: Democrats Praise Kawakami for being Gracious Loser Who Obeys his Gay Lords