CONGRESSMAN DON YOUNG DROPS HIRONO

Endorses Linda Lingle in General Election

News Release from www.Lingle2012.com

HONOLULU - Alaska Congressman Don Young, who endorsed Mazie Hirono in the Democrat primary, is now endorsing Governor Linda Lingle, for Hawaii's open U.S. Senate seat.

Along with Senator Lisa Murkowski and other important Alaskan leaders, Representative Young has endorsed Governor Lingle for Hawaii's open U.S. Senate seat. "I'm honored to have the support of Rep. Young and Sen. Murkowski," Lingle said.

"Governor Lingle has the leadership and the bipartisan record to make an immediate positive impact for the people Hawaii, Alaska and our nation. Bipartisan leadership is what is lacking in the U.S. Senate and is what has brought our country to the edge of a fiscal cliff. Now more than ever Hawaii needs a real bipartisan leader to provide common sense governance to Washington, D.C.," said Rep. Young in a letter to supporters in Alaska.

Senator Murkowski, who is in Hawaii campaigning for Governor Lingle, commented on Governor Lingle's leadership at an event last night:

"Senator Inouye and Governor Lingle will make a great team. There is no reason why they would not be able to effectively move Hawaii forward, working with the Alaska delegation," said Senator Murkowski. "Being able to build on the strength of the Alaska-Hawaii partnership is critically important to both states."

"I'm honored to have the support of Rep. Young and Senator Murkowski, and other important Alaskan leaders. "Our state's position will be strengthened by having a balanced delegation with a foot in both camps so no matter which political party has a majority Hawaii will be represented in the majority. I look forward to continuing the work done by Senator Inouye and the late Alaska Senator Ted Stevens," said Governor Lingle.

"Advancing the priorities of native Hawaiians and native Alaskans is a commitment I will continue to honor if elected to represent the people of Hawaii in the U.S. Senate," Lingle concluded.