Governor to nominate
attorney general

Star-Bulletin staff

Gov. Ben Cayetano says he will announce his nominee for attorney general Tuesday.

He's mulling over a short list of four candidates, which include acting Attorney General Rick Keller and a woman, and will make a decision over the weekend, he said yesterday.

The governor said he has until Tuesday to announce his selection because the 60-day period that an acting attorney general can hold the position runs out tomorrow and Monday is a holiday.

Last month, the state Senate voted 14-11 to deny Margery Bronster a second four-year term as attorney general, even though Senate Judiciary Co-Chairmen Avery Chumbley (D, Kihei) and Matt Matsunaga (D, Palolo) recommended her reappointment.

The Senate majority said Bronster was a poor manager, did not provide adequate legal support for various departments and issued dubious legal opinions. Bronster believes it was her investigation of the Bishop Estate that led to her downfall.

If there is a special legislative session, the Senate would have to hold confirmation hearings and act on Cayetano's nominee.