StarBulletin.com

Both isle incumbents easily win re-election


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POSTED: Wednesday, November 05, 2008

Democratic Reps. Mazie Hirono and Neil Abercrombie won re-election last night as they faced token opposition from Republican, Libertarian and Independent opponents.

Hirono has completed her second term in the U.S. House, representing the neighbor islands and Windward and Leeward Oahu in the 2nd District, while Abercrombie will start his 11th term in office.

Both say they expect to be back in Washington on Nov. 17 when Congress returns for a special lame-duck session to finish the work not completed when they adjourned for the general election.

“;If the Senate goes along, we have to finish work on an economic stimulus package,”; Hirono said, adding that the bill includes about $200 million in economic aid for Hawaii.

Abercrombie said he also plans to work on the stimulus package, calling it a “;major step to restore the economy.”;

Both veteran Democrats attracted roughly 70 percent of the vote.

Hirono was opposed by Republican Roger Evans, Libertarian Lloyd Mallan and Independent Shaun Stenshol. Against Abercrombie were Republican Steve Tataii and Libertarian Li Zhao.

Tataii said on his Web site that he had the vision “;to correct many outstanding social, economic, environmental, cultural, judicial and political chronic dilemmas we are facing in Hawaii.”;

Evans said on his Web site that if he won he would “;focus on getting back to the laws already in place, untangle the bureaucracy and unite the citizens of this country.”;