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The three members of Hawaii's Congressional delegation who are up for re-election this fall have made it official. Akaka, Mink
Abercrombie file
for re-electionU.S. Sen. Daniel K. Akaka and Reps. Patsy Mink and Neil Abercrombie filed nomination papers for re-election last week.
Based on candidate filings so far, Akaka faces a primary election challenge from Democrat Arturo P. Reyes of Waipahu, while Big Island residents and Republicans John S. Carroll of Honokaa and Eugene F. Douglass of Hilo face off.
So far, Mink does not have a primary challenger, although James M. Donovan of Kamuela and Carol J. Douglass of Hilo are running for the GOP nod.
Abercrombie doesn't have a formal challenger yet in either the primary or general election, but Republicans Philip Meyers and Mike Gabbard and Gladys Hayes have all taken out papers to run against him.
CAMPAIGN MAILINGS: Abercrombie should quit mailing campaign literature to urban Honolulu residents at taxpayers' expense, says Gabbard.
"One lady has received 19 of these since November," Gabbard said. "I'm calling upon Mr. Abercrombie to do the right thing and stop this abuse of power."
What Gabbard is referring to are newsletters, which must be approved by a bipartisan committee to prevent them from being political, says Abercrombie.
"I'm surprised that Mr. Gabbard doesn't recognize that the only way we can keep in touch with the most people, especially being 5,000 miles away, is by mail," Abercrombie said.
ELECTIONS LAW: Linda Lingle, Republican Party chairwoman, is again criticizing state elections law, saying she thinks portions of the law may be unconstitutional.
Lingle, who has previously questioned the state contract to count ballots and the operation of the state elections office, says a state law that requires the precinct chairs for the election to be of the same party as the governor is questionable.
"It should be the right of every citizen, regardless of party affiliation, to serve as a precinct chairperson," she said.
State elections officials, however, said the state law allows them to pick someone else under certain circumstances.
UNION ENDORSEMENTS: City Councilman Mufi Hannemann has ben endorsed by two locals representing electrical workers in his bid for Honolulu mayor.
Locals 1260 and 1357 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers made the endorsement last week.
Local 1260 has 1,273 members on Oahu including employees at Hawaiian Electric, Chevron Hawaii Refinery, Servco Pacific, local television stations, Oceanic Cable and American Machinery.
Local 1357 represents 2,000 Oahu members employed by GTE Hawaiian Tel.
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