GOVERNOR LINDA LINGLE OFFICIALLY FILES FOR HAWAII'S OPEN U.S. SENATE SEAT

News Release from www.Lingle2012.com

HONOLULU - Former Governor Linda Lingle, who announced her candidacy for Hawaii's open U.S. Senate seat last October, officially filed federal election papers today at the State Office Towers in downtown Honolulu. Surrounded by supporters, Gov. Lingle announced the next step in her campaign for Hawaii's open U.S. Senate seat.

"I am running for the United States Senate because I want to help secure a good and prosperous future for all the people of Hawaii. This election is about us, the people of Hawaii," Gov. Lingle told a crowd of supporters. "This election is about which candidate has the experience of working with others in a bipartisan fashion to make good things happen for the people of Hawaii, like I did as Governor when working with legislators on both sides of the aisle to save the Kukui Gardens affordable housing project when people faced eviction; it's about which candidate can stand for people over party as I do on the Akaka Bill when some members of my party criticize me; it's about moving from talk to action on energy independence for our state as we did with the HCEI; and it's about making sure the young people of Hawaii are prepared to succeed here at home or anywhere in the world."

"I'm asking the people of Hawaii for their support in this election because I'm the only candidate who knows what this election is really about. It's about us," added Gov. Lingle.

Gov. Lingle has served the people of Hawaii for over 30 years, including ten years on the Maui County Council, eight years as Mayor of Maui and eight years as Governor of Hawaii.

For more information, visit: www.Lingle2012.com.

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Governor Linda Lingle's Official Remarks: Filing Day

"I’m running for the United States Senate because I want to help secure a good and prosperous future for all the people of Hawaii—a future with a growing economy that produces good jobs for today’s graduates as well as those who have become frustrated looking for work.

"A future that prepares its students with a relevant education that includes an emphasis on STEM-based skills that will be useful here at home and essential in the global economy.

"A future that keeps its promises to our veterans and our kupuna.

"A future that realizes our goal of energy independence started with the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative.

"A future that includes long-delayed recognition for the native Hawaiian people and enables them to chart their own future.

"A future that makes it easier for people from other countries to visit Hawaii and for foreign students and entrepreneurs to build a life and start a company in Hawaii.

"And a future that funds Pacific Command at a level that recognizes the importance of the military installations in Hawaii that protect the people of America in the part of the world most important economically and security wise in the 21st Century.

"One of the other candidates believes this election is about who will vote with President Obama on every issue, while another believes it is about “fixing Washington.”

"They’re both wrong!

"This election is about us, the people of Hawaii.

"If they succeed in convincing people the election is about Washington, D.C. issues, then they would have a chance, because they are more experienced than me when it comes to Washington, D.C. They have both been politicians in Washington. They have lived in Washington, and they have cast votes in Congress.

"But if this election is about the people of Hawaii and which candidate has the proven record of getting things done here at home, as I believe it is, then I have a great chance to win.

"I want to be candid with the people of Hawaii: I don’t like very much the thought of having to live in Washington, but I love the idea of using my bipartisan, problem-solving experience to make sure that whatever happens in Washington, D.C. benefits the people here at home.

"This election is about which candidate has the experience of working with others in a bipartisan fashion to make good things happen for the people of Hawaii, like I did as your Governor when working with legislators on both sides of the aisle to save the Kukui Gardens affordable housing project when people faced eviction, it’s about which candidate can stand for people over party as I do on the Akaka Bill when some members of my party criticize me, it’s about moving from talk to action on energy independence for our state as we did with HCEI, and it’s about making sure the young people of Hawaii are prepared to succeed here at home or anywhere in the world.

"I am asking the people of Hawaii for their support in this election because I’m the only candidate who knows what this election is really about—it’s about us! Mahalo."

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