Hirono starts with biggest war chest
The congressional candidate is setting the fundraising pace
Former Lt. Gov. Mazie Hirono's campaign for Congress is off to a fast start, as she announced this week that she has nearly $300,000 in the bank.
The money, according to campaign manager Julie Stauch, comes from a $100,000 personal loan from Hirono and $199,454 in contributions.
Details of the contributions will be available with the Federal Elections Commission next week, but Hirono's announcement puts her ahead of the estimates from other Democratic and Republican candidates for the rural Oahu and neighbor island 2nd Congressional District. The seat is up for grabs after U.S. Rep. Ed Case announced he will challenge U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka in the Democratic primary.
State Rep. Brian Schatz, who is hosting a fundraiser featuring former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright next month, said he has collected about $115,000 for the congressional race.
"We have a long way to go, and I think we are just starting the first quarter of this game. It is too early to look at the score," said Schatz (D, Tantalus-Makikiki).
State Sen. Colleen Hanabusa said she figures she has picked up about $110,000 and will need around $500,000 to mount a competitive campaign through the primary election.
"You are going to need the money, but the real question is, Who will touch the people and the voters and show you are committed?" said Hanabusa (D, Nanakuli-Makua).
State Sen. Gary Hooser (D, Kauai-Niihau) said he has held several fundraisers and is hoping for more as the campaign continues. He has raised $97,000, with $55,000 of that coming from personal loans.
And state Sen. Ron Menor (D, Mililani) also expects to raise $500,000 but said because of his duties in the Legislature, he has not been able to collect much money yet.
Former state Sen. Matt Matsunaga also said he is just starting to pick up money for his campaign.
"I raised a half-million in my campaign for lieutenant governor and $200,000 in the last campaign for Congress, so I am confident we will be competitive," Matsunaga, a Democrat, said.
The lone Republican in the group, state Sen. Bob Hogue, is expected to formally announce his candidacy today.
Yesterday, he said he has just started to raise funds. Hogue, who represents Kaneohe and Kailua, said because he is a former television sports announcer, he will not have to spend as much money as some other candidates to boost his name recognition. So, he said, he plans a campaign budget of around $250,000.
All the candidates say that they are planning grass-roots-style campaigns, but all acknowledge that they will not be competitive unless they can raise hundreds of thousands of dollars.