The new chairman of the state Democratic Party vowed to overcome the factional disputes that hurt the party in last year's gubernatorial race. Hawaii Democrats
pick new chairmanAlex Santiago is a former
representative for the North ShoreBy Rick Daysog
rdaysog@starbulletin.comFormer state lawmaker Alex Santiago said he hopes to serve as a "bridge" between the diverse interests of isle Democrats, who lost their 40-year hold on Washington Place when Hawaii residents elected Republican Linda Lingle as governor.
"We're far from being dead. We're extremely alive and we're starting to rebuild, and we will again be a force in this state," Santiago said.
"We want to regain the same sense of respect the Democratic Party has commanded for so many years in Hawaii but want to add a new sense of excitement and energy, too."
Yesterday, the Hawaii Democratic Party's central committee voted unanimously in favor of the 45-year-old Santiago as its new chairman during a three-hour meeting at U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie's campaign headquarters.
Santiago, one of six candidates who applied for the chairmanship, succeeds Mark Forman, who has served as interim chairman since March.
Between 1990 and 2000, Santiago served in the state House of Representatives where he represented the North Shore community. He is a former chairman of the House Health and Ocean Marine Resources committees and served as majority whip from 1996 to 1999.
Santiago is currently a health and human services consultant to several isle businesses.
During a news conference yesterday afternoon, Santiago said his biggest challenge is getting the diverse interests within the Democratic Party to "embrace their differences."
Dissension between Democratic gubernatorial candidates Ed Case, Mazie Hirono and Andy Anderson played a role in Democrats' loss in last November's gubernatorial race.
Santiago also hopes to step up the party's grass-roots fund raising to counter Republicans' efforts to raise money from well-heeled mainland groups.
"While Hawaii's Democratic Party has faced some challenges in the past, we have a tremendous opportunity now to rebuild and strengthen our base, and to emerge from this a stronger, better party than ever before," he said.
"Most of Hawaii's voters are really Democrats at heart. We want to reach out to them and renew their sense of pride in being a Democrat."
As a lawmaker, Santiago was known for his progressive ideas, and that should benefit him in his current post, said Richard Port, who served as the party's chairman from 1994 to 1996.
According to Port, the party's chairman also must provide a strong voice in the local community to counter the Lingle administration's agenda.
"Because of his experience as a legislator, I feel comfortable that he will be successful," Port said.
Hawaii Democratic Party