State Sen. Ron Menor has decided not to run for lieutenant governor and will instead seek re-election to his seat that represents Mililani, Mililani Mauka and Waipio Gentry Sen. Menor won’t run
for lieutenant governorBy Crystal Kua
ckua@starbulletin.comMenor, 46, a Democrat, said his decision not to campaign for the state's second highest office came out of consideration for his family.
"Circumstances made it apparent that a run for a statewide office would impose of a substantial hardship on the people closest to me," Menor said in a news release yesterday
Menor said his wife, Pat, is a full-time public school teacher in addition to being the caretaker for the family. She cares for the couple's 5-year-old twin boys, 11-year-old son and his 75-year-old mother whose health is deteriorating.
"Given the additional care-taking and financial burdens that my family now faces, I feel that I have an obligation at this time to assist my wife in caring for my mother and our three young children," Menor said.
He said he had mixed feelings about not running for the lieutenant governor because his campaign established a statewide organization and he was the only prospective lieutenant governor candidate who has received endorsements from labor organizations.
Menor said he hasn't ruled out running for higher office in the future.
Menor's departure from the race leaves Sen. Matt Matsunaga, Board of Education member Donna Ikeda and Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustee Clayton Hee to vie for the Democratic nomination in the primary.
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