(Dec. 30, 2009) "Excited by today's Election Comm'n discussion that favors holding an early special Congressional election, probably in April. We are ready."
(Djou's full News Release response is reprinted below.)
No response has yet been forthcoming from the campaigns of former Rep Ed Case and Senate President Colleen Hanabusa (D-Koolina).
UPDATE:
In past comments, Hanabusa, trailing in the polls and in fundraising, has suggested that Hawaii cannot afford a special election. Case has called Hanabusa "clueless" and has called on her to drop out of the race. Case has also suggested that he would seek a Senate seat as soon as the opportunity presents itself.
Abercrombie, a Buffalo hippie whose career in Hawaii politics started as a 1960s anti-American war protester at UH Manoa, is leaving Congress after 19 years to seek the Governor's seat. His Primary opponent is likely to be Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann. The winner of that contest will face of with Republican Lt Governor Duke Aiona. Neither Aiona nor Hannemann have responded to Abercrombie's statement.
Frustrated in his attempt to circumvent Hawaii election law, Abercrombie has not been able to utilize his Congressional campaign money for his Gubernatorial campaign. This places him at a great disadvantage to Hannemann who is reliably collecting contributions from rail contractors and potential rail contractors even as Honolulu rail faces delay after delay.
In the US House, Abercrombie's departure should temporarily reduce the obligatory contribution load borne by military contractors.
Members of Congress will also be confronted with the need to find a replacement for Abercrombie on the House Gym Committee.
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DJOU: REACTION TO REP. ABERCROMBIE’S RESIGNATION DATE ANNOUNCEMENT
Charles K. Djou, Republican candidate for Hawaii’s 1st Congressional district, reacted to Rep. Neil Abercrombie’s announcement that he will leave his congressional seat on February 28th.
“My campaign team is ready and we are eager to bring our message of independent common sense leadership to the voters of Hawaii. I look forward to bringing my views on fiscal discipline and government accountability to Congress from Hawaii,” stated Djou. “I encourage the Elections Office to promptly schedule a special election in May and avoid any prolonged delay in representation of Hawaii residents on Capitol Hill, but I am prepared for any date that a special election may be called.”
Djou, a law professor and Army Reserve officer, currently serves on the Honolulu City Council and previously served as the Minority Floor Leader in the State House. A special election to fill Rep. Abercrombie’s seat may now be called as soon as early-May. The special election will be “winner-take-all” with all candidates, regardless of party, running in the election and the candidate with the highest votes de clared the winner. Djou is the only candidate in the Congressional race who lives in the 1st Congressional District.
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Fascinating stories about the House Gym: