Anderson shifts Restaurateur and developer Andy Anderson, former Republican party leader and standard bearer, says he wants to run for governor as a Democrat.
parties for gov’s race
Former Republican Andy Anderson
wants to run as a DemocratRichard Borreca
rborreca@starbulletin.com"I bring to the table a lot of street smarts," Anderson said. "I've been a businessman, a father, a grandfather and a senior citizen."
Anderson, who has started a weekly Monday evening radio talk show on KCCN-AM, said Hawaii should develop an international perspective and a business identity.
"I won't be your father's Democrat," the 71-year-old Anderson joked.
To start the campaign, Anderson will form an exploratory committee to work on his campaign, which he said has the support of Fujio Matsuda, former University of Hawaii president; Dr. Ruth Matsuura, the mother of Democratic Big Island state Sen. David Matsuura; and Robert Fujimoto, Big Island businessman.
Anderson is a self-made businessman who, after graduating from Roosevelt High School, started a camera store and eventually became a millionaire.
He now owns John Dominis and Michel's restaurants and has developed several housing projects.
Anderson also ran unsuccessfully for Honolulu mayor and governor. He was chairman of the state GOP and served as Honolulu managing director under former Mayor Frank Fasi from 1983 to 1985.
During that time, Mayor Jeremy Harris, who is also considering running for governor as a Democrat, was deputy managing director.
"I told Harris he would be my first choice for governor, if I wasn't running," Anderson said.
Rep. Galen Fox (R, Waikiki), House GOP leader, says if Anderson runs, it shows that he doesn't think Harris has done a good job and may not be able to win in the primary election.
"It will be interesting to see what he has to say about Harris," said Fox, who also used to work at City Hall with Anderson and Fasi.
Anderson's gubernatorial explorations as a Democrat concerned some of his former GOP allies.
"There are a lot of giants in this gubernatorial campaign, and he maybe used to be a giant," said Rep. Barbara Marumoto (R, Kahala).
"It is a disappointment to see him switch parties, but I don't know if any Republicans now would even know who he is," she said.
Former colleague and running mate Pat Saiki, who served in Congress and the state Legislature, said "he would make an outstanding governor," but would support the GOP.
Saiki explained that Anderson quit the GOP after he managed her race for governor in 1994.
Saiki lost to both Fasi, who ran as an independent, and Gov. Ben Cayetano, the Democrat.
"I was the candidate and I didn't quit the party because of my loss, but he took it very personally," Saiki said. "I admire him. Not that I approve of what he did, but you have to admire someone who has the guts to do it.
"He did it as a reaction to my loss. I can't condemn a man for that," she said.
Anderson remembered the election in 1994 as a political nightmare, where "conservative Christian factions in the Fasi camp" denied Saiki a victory.
"They were more interested in Frank Fasi and his pro-life," Anderson said. "I just spent too many years trying to keep peace in that party, too many years trying to stop the warring factions. I needed to surround myself with people who shared a broader picture."
The chairwomen of both parties say they welcome Anderson's move. Republican Linda Lingle, who is running for governor, says the more Democrats in the primary, the better for her.
"They will have to spend money and energy and split resources in the primary," Lingle says.
Democratic Party Chairwoman Lorraine Akiba says Democrats are looking "to give voters as many choices as possible."
"I am happy to see a former longtime Republican leader who views the Democrats as more encouraging," she said.
