UPW endorses
Anderson for governor

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By Richard Borreca
rborreca@starbulletin.com

The state's largest blue-collar union, the United Public Workers, says D.G. "Andy" Anderson should be the next governor.

The 12,000-member union endorsement was made by Gary Rodrigues, who, according to Anderson, said the vote to endorse was unanimous.

Rodrigues is under federal indictment for allegedly accepting more than $100,000 in kickbacks from a life insurance agent in connection with an employee benefit plan. In March he was indicted for allegedly embezzling funds from the union's medical and dental plans through overcharging.

Rodrigues refused to respond to Star-Bulletin requests for information about the endorsement.

Anderson said the UPW endorsement represents the union, not just Rodrigues.

"Gary's individual problems weren't on the table for discussion," Anderson said. "This is something that he will have to deal with."

Rodrigues, who is a powerful lobbyist for the public worker unions, is usually considered a key Democratic supporter in political years.

He was a strong supporter of Gov. Ben Cayetano's successful re-election campaign in 1998.

Sen. Colleen Hanabusa (D, Waianae), Senate vice president, said yesterday that Rodrigues is "one of the most politically astute people in Hawaii."

But she added that endorsing Anderson may not help because Rodrigues' federal trial is expected to start in October, during the fall political season.

"The endorsement may carry negative connotations," Hanabusa said. "The federal allegations are that he misappropriated members' money."

Rep. Ed Case (D, Manoa), who is also running for governor, downplayed the endorsement.

"I think the basic message the endorsement sends to the mainstream of Hawaii is that Anderson is not the candidate of responsible change, and it will hurt his candidacy," Case said.

Rick Tsujimura, co-chairman for Mayor Jeremy Harris' gubernatorial campaign, said Harris had not sought the UPW endorsement. Tsujimura said Harris has tangled with Rodrigues and the UPW over automating refuse collection.

"We had differences of opinion with UPW, so it is not surprising that he would chose someone other than Jeremy Harris," Tsujimura said.

During the 2000 race for mayor, Rodrigues endorsed former City Council Chairman Mufi Hannemann in his unsuccessful campaign against Harris.

Still, Sen. Matt Matsunaga (D, Kaimuki-Kahala) said the UPW could help Anderson with campaign volunteers.

"The UPW is well organized, and it is a help with grass-roots campaigning," he said.

Anderson, who is a former Republican legislator and two-time unsuccessful candidate for governor, said this was his first endorsement by a public employee union.

"We have been talking for several months," he said. "I think the bottom line is, they think I can turn the economy around, and my word is good."