List of Potential Senate Candidates is also List of Potential Special Election Candidates

CB: You've already heard the names of U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa and Lt. Gov. Brian Schatz, who have said they are applying.

Also in the mix is Tony Gill, of the storied Gill Clan (Tom, Lois, Eric, Gary et al). Tony Gill, an attorney, is chairman of Oahu Democrats.

There's talk that Ed Case may jump in, and also Mufi Hannemann, though both lost their last three tries for Congress.

Case, the former congressman, has been quiet — he didn't return our calls for a story this week on his 2006 run. But Hannemann has been appearing on local TV news and tweeting like a teenager about how wonderful Dan Inouye was.

In no particular order, those who have applied, or are said to be thinking about applying, for the Senate opening include:

Abercrombie's deputy chief of staff, Blake Oshiro; state Sens. Will Espero, Clayton Hee and Donna Mercado Kim; and Esther Kiaaina, who worked for Case and Daniel Akaka in D.C. and lost to Tulsi Gabbard in the race this year to replace U.S. Rep. Mazie Hirono, who is replacing Akaka.

Yes, Gabbard's name is out there, too — even though she has yet to serve a day in Congress.

What about Ben Cayetano or John Waihee? No word yet on whether they are in the hunt.

Other names might emerge, ones that don't immediately come to the public's mind — like Matt Matsunaga, the former legislator, LG and congressional candidate and son of the late Spark Matsunaga….

If Hanabusa is appointed senator, you can take the names of most of the folks listed above as possible candidates in the special election to fill the Hawaii First Congressional District seat, a vote that would be held in about two months.

You can also consider adding Republicans Charles Djou or Linda Lingle.

MN: Tsutsui may be affected by choice to fill vacancy with Schatz

read … Special Election Preview? 

Espero Applies as Stalking Horse for Hanabusa

SA: "I do support the senator’s wishes that Rep. Hanabusa be the next appointed individual, however, since the law is clear that there must be three nominees I would be honored to be considered one of those other nominees,” Espero said.

“I do believe that I have the experience, the ability and the willingness to serve in Washington, D.C., and with my 21 years of service – my current government service – I think that has helped me to be where I am today."

If Schatz were chosen for the appointment, state Senate President Shan Tsutsui would be next in the line of succession for lieutenant governor. If Tsutsui were to decline, the post would go to House Speaker Calvin Say.

LINK: News Release

read … Stalking Horse for Hanabusa

Will party rules allow Hawaii’s next U.S. Senator to be selected in secret?

ILind: There are many questions left unanswered concerning how the state central committee will make its decision. Perhaps there are additional party rules, but I can’t find them on the party’s website.

For example, how will they vote?

Will the committee have one vote, with the names of the top three candidates forwarded to the governor?

Or, alternatively, will there be three separate votes, one for each of the three positions on the list? Or perhaps cumulative voting, with each committee member allowed given three votes, with the top vote-getters making it to the list?

Maybe cumulative voting, where each central committee member gets three votes and can vote for three nominees, or put all three votes on one person.

Perhaps most importantly, will the most significant political decision in recent years, discussion and voting on the “short list” for this extremely important position, be made in secret?

read … Secret Process