Manoa Rep. Case
to run for governor

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By Richard Borreca
rborreca@starbulletin.com

In a low-key, e-mailed announcement, Manoa Rep. Ed Case this morning entered the race for governor.

Because of ongoing national concerns, "It is really not the right time for a splashy announcement," the 49-year old Democrat explained, but added that a number of questions about his possible candidacy caused him to make his announcement now.

Case is an attorney first elected to the state House in 1994. He was the House majority leader but last year broke away from the Democrats over the issue of government reform and the power of public employee unions.

The main issue in this gubernatorial campaign, he said, will be the debate over change in Hawaii.

"Voters craving basic change are backing independent government leaders who can and will break out of the political mold to say and do what people really think and want," he said. He plans to stress the need for education, government and economic change.

Case also had considered remaining in the House, or running for lieutenant governor or for Congress.

Saying he wants to remain in Hawaii, he is casting himself as "a clear alternative to the current gubernatorial candidates."

Already in the race is Democratic Honolulu Mayor Jeremy Harris and Republican former Maui mayor and current GOP chairwoman Linda Lingle.

Lt. Gov. Mazie Hirono had been considered a strong candidate in the Democratic primary, but earlier this week, she declined to discuss persistent rumors that she was dropping out of the race. Sources in her campaign said she was considering a run for Honolulu mayor because of the difficulty in raising the funds for a statewide campaign.

This morning, Hirono said, "He (Case) has made up his mind and good for him. I will be talking about what my next job will be later."

Case expects to raise a minimum of $1 million for his campaign. He has a campaign Web page at http://edcase.com.