Hogue to announce run for Case's seat
Republican Sen. Bob Hogue says he is just "days away" from formally announcing that he will run for Rep. Ed Case's seat.
Case's decision to run for the U.S. Senate has left the 2nd Congressional District up for grabs.
Hogue, 52, has served in the Senate since 2000, representing the Windward Kaneohe-Kailua area.
Hogue would be the second GOP officeholder to express an interest in the congressional seat that covers rural Oahu and the neighbor islands. Honolulu Prosecutor Peter Carlisle said last week he was also exploring a race.
"We are spending a lot of time laying the groundwork. I have been making a lot of contacts, a lot of phone calls," Hogue said.
Hogue's Senate term ends this year and he would have to choose between running for re-election and running for Congress.
"I think it shows a sincerity to be willing to risk everything. There have been a lot of people who put their names out there for Congress while they are in the middle of their terms," Hogue said.
"My family and I have looked at it and we just think the timing is right now to go forward on this. There are times in your life when you say it is worth it to risk it all," he said.
Democratic Sens. Ron Menor and Gary Hooser have filed for Congress, but they are in the middle of their terms and will not have to leave office if they lose the congressional race. Rep. Brian Schatz (D, Makiki) also has filed for Congress. His state term also ends this year.
Hogue is a former certified public accountant and former television sports reporter. He also writes a column for MidWeek Magazine and is a play-by-play announcer for Hawaii Pacific University.
Sam Aiona, chairman of the Hawaii GOP, said he welcomed Hogue into the race and predicted that Hawaii would elect a Republican to Congress from the 2nd District, something that has never happened.
"It is about time that Hawaii sent a Republican to Congress so Hawaii will have a voice," Aiona said.