Abercrombie Appoints Schatz, Mazie to be Junior Senator
Editor’s Note: Next Question—Will progressive Shan Tsutsui agree to move up to the Lt Governor’s position or will he pass it up and allow old-boy Calvin Say to become LG?
PHOTOS: Schatz and Hirono campaigning at the home of Larry Mehau
Inouye Staff Offer Dead Fish, Tell Schatz ‘Good Luck’
Airhead Schatz Priorities: Schatz named two priorities for his new appointment that rarely see action on the Senate floor: native Hawaiian recognition and climate change.
"For me, personally, I believe global climate change is real, and it is the most urgent challenge of our generation," Schatz said.
Schatz planned to leave on a flight tonight and be sworn in sometime Thursday afternoon. He would bring his wife, two children and both his parents to Washington.
Helping Sexual Predators ‘Turn’ Juvenile Victims: Schatz participated in the “It Gets Better” project last year, urging LGBT children to have faith that things do get better for LGBT persons. He assured his viewers that “there are people in the State of Hawaii and in the Trevor Project to help” gay youth.
HUFFPO: Schatz, 40, is a former state representative and a former chairman of the state Democratic Party. He also was a leader of President Barack Obama's campaign in Hawaii in 2008.
Schatz, 40, is a former state representative and a former chairman of the state Democratic Party. He also was a leader of President Barack Obama's campaign in Hawaii in 2008.
In making his case before the party's central committee Wednesday, he said he understood the importance of seniority in the Senate and said that if he was appointed, he would strive to make serving in the Senate his life's work.
DEMOCRATS SECRET LIST LEAKED TO HNN: Dems choose Hanabusa, Kiaaina, Schatz as finalists for Inouye Senate seat
Hawaii Democratic Party response: Hawaii News Now reported the names on the short list. They included Hanabusa, Deputy State Land and Natural Resources Director Esther Kiaaina and Schatz. The HDP chastised whoever gave the names to the paper on its Facebook page shortly after the Hawaii News Now article was updated.
"Apparently, some of us DO NOT respect the process. The list was leaked to the press. tsk ... tsk ... tsk ...," the post said, linking to the HNN piece.
About half an hour earlier, the group had made a post saying it would not announce the names, leaving that responsibility to the governor
TSUTSUI STATEMENT: “Congratulations to the Lieutenant Governor on his appointment to fill Senator Inouye’s vacant seat in the United States Senate. I am confident that he will ably serve the State of Hawaii and honor the legacy that Senator Inouye has left behind. I understand that by law, as Senate President, I would be next in line to succeed Lieutenant Governor Schatz. I plan to discuss this prospect with the Governor and my family before making a decision.”
Gov. Abercrombie Appoints Lt. Gov. Brian Schatz to U.S. Senate
News Release from http://governor.hawaii.gov Dec 26, 2012
HONOLULU – Gov. Neil Abercrombie today announced the appointment of current Lt. Gov. Brian Schatz to fill the U.S. Senate seat left vacant by the passing of Sen. Daniel K. Inouye.
“Today, I will inform the leadership of the United States Senate that I have appointed Brian Schatz as the next United States Senator from Hawaii,” Gov. Abercrombie said. “I make this decision with full confidence that Brian’s appointment is in the best interest of the State of Hawaii and the nation.
“As Lieutenant Governor, Brian has demonstrated all of the qualities Hawaii could ask for in a Senator: respect for our traditions and a strong sense of values, remarkably strong character and problem-solving capacities, and above all an abiding love for and commitment to the people of our state. Brian Schatz will do us proud.”
The governor added: “These are challenging times for Hawaii. We are mourning the loss of Sen. Daniel Inouye, a leader who gave a lifetime of selfless service to our country. At the same time, this is an opportunity to build on the remarkable foundation Sen. Inouye laid. It is an opportunity to shape a prosperous and vibrant future for our state.
“In the U.S. House, Hawaii will benefit from the continued leadership of Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa as she keeps building on her service on the House Armed Services Committee that is so vital to our state,” Gov. Abercrombie said. “Without her in that capacity, we would have no one in the House or Senate serving in this critical position.
“In the U.S. Senate, we expect great things of Senator-Elect Mazie Hirono. She, like Senators Inouye and Akaka, brings a lifetime of distinguished public service to this new role.
“Hawaii also awaits the dynamic promise of Congresswoman-Elect Tulsi Gabbard, representing a new generation of leadership, rooted firmly in the timeless traditions of Hawaii.
“With today’s appointment, I am confident Hawaii has the strongest, best-prepared congressional delegation to lead us today, and the strongest, most well-rounded congressional delegation for Hawaii in the years to come.”
On Dec. 6, 2010, Brian Schatz was inaugurated as the 11th Lieutenant Governor of the State of Hawaii. Before being elected Lieutenant Governor, he served for eight years as the CEO of Helping Hands Hawai’i, one of Hawaii’s largest non-profit community social services organizations. From 2008 to 2010, Schatz was the chairman of the Democratic Party of Hawaii. He also chaired President Barack Obama’s campaign in Hawaii in 2008. From 1998 to 2006, Schatz was a member of the State House of Representatives, representing the state’s 25th district. During this time, he served as the House Majority Whip, Chair of the Economic Development Committee, Vice-Chair of Water, Land and Ocean Resources, Vice-Chair of Consumer Protection and Commerce, and as a member of the Hawaiian Affairs, Higher Education, Energy and Environmental Protection, and Agriculture Committees.
Schatz was raised in Hawaii, and graduated from Pomona College in Claremont, Calif. He is married to Linda Kwok Schatz, an architect. They have a son and daughter.
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To view video of the press conference look here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1AvsbkoHao
SA: Schatz picked by Abercrombie to replace Inouye in U.S. Senate
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Hawaii Republican Party Chairman David Chang's Statement Regarding the Appointment of Brian Schatz
News Release from www.HawaiiGOP.com
Honolulu, Hawaii - Hawaii Republican Party Chairman David Chang issued the following statement regarding the appointment of Brian Schatz:
"The Hawaii Republican Party would like to wish Brian Schatz well in his new role as Hawaii's Senator, even though he lacks the legitimacy of an election and was selected counter to the final dying wish of Senator Inouye. The Democrat Party of Hawaii's State Central Committee narrowed down the field of fourteen applicants and nominated Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa, Deputy Director of the State Department of Land and Natural Resources Esther Kiaaina, and Lieutenant Governor Brian Schatz. The Hawaii Republican Party wants to remind recently appointed Senator that he must always act in the best interest of all of Hawaii's citizens.
"While the appointment of Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa would have required special election to fill her congressional seat, HRP was well prepared to field a candidate that would be a capable leader, and strong advocate for Hawaii. The extreme partisan politics of Hawaii Democrat Party serves as a reminder that a balanced two-party system is sorely needed. Governor Abercrombie has once again put partisan politics and power ahead of Hawaii's people. This appointment reinforces Governor Abercrombie's sporadic and inconsistent leadership."
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Ed Case: On Appointment of Senator Schatz
"I congratulate U. S. Senator-designate Schatz on his appointment. I join all Hawai'i in wishing him only the very best, and will do whatever I can to ensure his success and that of our delegation in the challenging times ahead."
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Related: Is Abercrombie Vitousek?