Senator Sam Slom Announces Re-election Run for Senate District 9

News Release from Sen Sam Slom May 17, 2016

HONOLULU — Hawai‘i state Senator Sam Slom has filed nomination papers today and will run for re-election in Senate District 9.  Sen. Slom (R-Hawai‘i Kai, Kuli‘ou‘ou, Niu, ‘Aina Haina, Wai‘alae-Kahala, Diamond Head) has held his Senate seat since winning his first election, in 1996.

Sen. Slom has also filed a voluntary spending limit affidavit with the state Campaign Spending Commission, as he has in every election.

"My work for the people of Hawaii is far from done," Sen. Slom says.  "I have not wavered in my will to continue serving the public, and as always, I welcome any challenge."

Sen. Slom has made better-than-expected progress in his recovery from recent coronary bypass surgery, and is eager to start campaigning. 

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About the Hawaii Senate Minority

Senator Samuel M. Slom has represented Hawaii’s 9th senatorial district since 1996.  The lone Republican in the Hawaii State Senate, Slom is presently the only single-member caucus in any legislature in the United States.  Slom serves on all Senate committees, sub-committees and special committees, is minority leader and floor leader, and is Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Economic Development, Environment and Technology.  For further information on Senator Slom and the Hawaii Senate Minority, visit www.hawaii-senateminority.com.

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WARD SEEKING 10TH TERM IN THE STATE HOUSE

News Release from Rep Gene Ward May 16, 2016

Rep. Gene Ward (R-Hawaii Kai-Kalama Valley) today said he is off and running for another term is excited about continuing to serve his Hawaii Kai community in the State House.  Rep. Ward was first elected in 1990 and served until 1998 when he ran for Congress against then-Congressman Neil Abercrombie, and served in Washington as a presidential appointee after losing that race.  Ward returned to the State House in 2006 after being evacuated from his post in East Timor as the Peace Corps Country Director following a civil insurrection in that nation.

It had been rumored that Ward was preparing for a bid for the Hawaii Senate against Senator Sam Slom.  He has been in touch with Sam on almost a daily basis, and said, “Sam is doing just fine and will file his papers tomorrow; his “P & V” numbers (“p…..and vinegar”) are escalating daily and he’s up for his Senate race.”

Ward also noted that even some Republicans had taken the rumor of Ward running against Slom more seriously than others, and one Republican actually took out papers for Ward’s seat if it became vacant.  He has since spoken to this person and clarified without equivocation that he is not running against his friend and colleague Senator Sam Slom under any circumstances and is encouraging all of his friends and constituents to support Senator Slom.  The person is in the process of withdrawing her name from District 17, and will return nomination papers to the Office of Elections.

Ward continues to serve his constituents in the many areas of concern, the latest of which is the imminent closure of Koko Crater Stables, a longstanding icon in Kalama Valley.  “I have been told the stables will close at the end of this month or the end of June 2016; and this is exactly opposite what the C&C told us a year ago when they said they granted a long lease to a vendor who could reinvest and repair the aging facility.” Ward is working with the community to have the City Dept. Parks and Rec explain its action at a townhall meeting or at a meeting with the Hawaii Kai Neighborhood Board.                                    

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CB: Ward Seeks Re-Election And Looks To Put GOP Rumors To Rest