Hirono leads campaign funding

Recent reports show she gained $210,721 in the last two months

Former Lt. Gov. Mazie Hirono, who was already leading the 2nd Congressional District race for campaign dollars, added $210,721 to her campaign war chest in the past two months.

That raises her total to $649,434.

Hirono was among three 2nd Congressional District candidates whose latest campaign spending reports appeared yesterday on the Federal Election Commission's Web site.

The others are Republican state Sen. Bob Hogue (Kaneohe-Kailua) and Democratic state Sen. Gary Hooser (Kauai- Niihau).

Their reports add the period July 1 to Sept. 3. The reporting date for all 2nd Congressional District candidates was yesterday. The district covers rural Oahu and the neighbor islands.

The other candidates' reports are expected to appear today.

Lawyer Hirono reported spending $499,304 so far on the race. Much of Hirono's new campaign funds came from attorneys.

Hogue reported adding $39,849 to his campaign war chest in the past two months for a total of $70,801. Hogue said he has spent $50,574 so far.

Many of his big donors were Oahu business people.

Hooser reported collecting another $77,097 to raise his total to $244,140. He said he has spent $209,635 so far.

A lot of Hooser's donations came from business people on the neighbor islands.

The other candidates are Democrats Hanalei Aipoalani; Honolulu City Councilman Nestor Garcia; state Sens. Colleen Hanabusa (Nanakuli-Makua), Clayton Hee (Kahuku-Kaneohe) and Ron Menor (Mililani); former state Sen. Matt Matsunaga; state Rep. Brian Schatz (Tantalus-Makiki); and Joe Zuiker, and former Republican state Rep. Quentin Kawananakoa.

The 12 candidates are running for the seat being vacated by Ed Case, who is running in this month's Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate against incumbent Daniel Akaka.