congress
CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARBULLETIN.COM
When he arrived at his headquarters last night, U.S. Congressman Neil Abercrombie showed off an old T-shirt he found in his closet. Pictured with him were supporters Ed Hasegawa, Jimmy Toyama, Mary Matayoshi and her husband, Herbert. The shirt says, "Neil Abercrombie for UH president! ... Now is the time."
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Abercrombie, Hirono get opponent-free wins
U.S. Reps. Neil Abercrombie and Mazie Hirono glided to general election matchups yesterday as the two Democratic incumbents ran unopposed in the primary.
Abercrombie will face Republican Steve Tataii, who also was unopposed, and a Libertarian opponent.
In the second printout, Libertarian candidate Li Zhao was in the lead in his party, with 239 votes or 56.5 percent, with C. Kaui Jochanan Amsterdam trailing with 172 votes or 40.7 percent.
Abercrombie, 70, is seeking a 10th consecutive full term representing the 1st Congressional District, which covers urban Honolulu. As of Aug. 31, he had $1.3 million in campaign funds, according to the Federal Election Commission.
"I think I've been able to stay in office over this long period of time because people have confidence that I have stood up for individual rights, that I have had in the forefront my concerns of human freedom and peace in the world," Abercrombie said. "I've worked very, very hard and successfully to move prosperity, jobs and projects and programs in Hawaii as well as across the country."
Hirono, 60, also polled strongly in her bid for a second term to represent the 2nd Congressional District, which covers rural Oahu and the neighbor islands.
She will face three candidates in Nov. 4 general election, Lloyd Mallan, vice chairman of the Libertarian Party, Roger B. Evans of the Republican Party and Shaun Stenshol, an Independent.
Hirono said she will run a strong general election campaign. "I haven't taken anything for granted," she said.