Abercrombie
rakes in big
campaign bucks

The isle congressman
is expected to face another
tough GOP challenge

By Pete Pichaske
Star-Bulletin

WASHINGTON -- Rep. Neil Abercrombie, D-Honolulu, continues to stock his 1998 campaign war chest at more than double the pace of previous races, the latest campaign finance reports reveal.

Expected to face a robust Republican challenge this year, Abercrombie collected $406,000 in campaign contributions in 1997 and had $317,000 on hand at the end of the year, according to reports filed recently with the Federal Election Commission.

In 1995, the comparable year of the previous congressional election cycle, Abercrombie collected only $186,000 and had $127,000 on hand at the end of the year.

Abercrombie, nearly beaten in 1996 by Republican Orson Swindle, has said he is eager to have more money for this year's campaign. But the two GOP state representatives who hope to unseat him say they are undeterred by the incumbent's heavy fund-raising.

"Not at all," said state Rep. Quentin K. Kawananakoa, when asked if he was discouraged.

"We're way ahead of our projected fund-raising. I can't tell you the amount of support I'm getting, and we're just beginning."

He said he won't start campaigning heavily until the state legislative session ends in early May.

According to his report, Kawananakoa raised $149,000 last year and had $124,000 on hand.

State Rep. Gene Ward, meanwhile, collected $32,000 in contributions and had $111,000 on hand, most of it from money he loaned his campaign.

"Money doesn't buy you an election," said Ward, who has the backing of Swindle.

"His (Abercrombie's) money is all lopsided in one direction -- it's all special-interest PAC money."

Two-thirds of Abercrombie's contributions last year came from political action committees, the remaining third from individuals.

Although Abercrombie is raising money at an impressive clip, the year's fund-raising champion was Sen. Daniel Inouye, the 36-year Senate veteran preparing for what might be his final campaign. Inouye, 73, raised $944,000 last year and reported $651,000 on hand.

But while it may be impressive by Hawaii standards, Inouye's fund-raising won't raise an eyebrow nationally.

In fact, only three of the 30 senators running for re-election this year raised less money than Inouye, according to a survey by Roll Call, a Capitol Hill newspaper.

Rep. Patsy Mink, D-rural Oahu/neighbor islands, raised $89,000 last year and had $126,000 on hand, according to her FEC reports.

Mink, who is considered less vulnerable than Abercrombie, also reported a campaign debt of $127,000.

Sen. Daniel Akaka, the fourth member of Hawaii's delegation, is not up for re-election this year.