Andy Anderson enters D.G. "Andy" Anderson declared himself a candidate for governor this morning, saying improving Hawaii's faltering economy will be his main campaign theme.
race for governor
Running this time as a Democrat,
he says his main objective
is to help the economyBy Richard Borreca
rborreca@starbulletin.comAnderson is making his third run for governor. He ran unsuccessfully against former governor's George Ariyoshi and then Lt. Gov. John Waihee. Unlike the first two attempts, Anderson is running this time as a Democrat, not Republican.
He switched parties, saying the Democratic party was broader, more inclusive and more representative of Hawaii.
One of his Democratic opponents, Rep. Ed. Case, said this morning that Anderson switched parties because he did not think he could beat Linda Lingle in the Republican primary."I think this is about pure political utility," Case said. "The bottom line is I don't think Anderson stands for change."
The third major Democratic candidate for governor is Honolulu Mayor Jeremy Harris, who is considered the front-runner. He was unavailable for comment this morning.
One month ago Anderson formed an exploratory committee of Republicans and Democrats, including several old-time Democratic party stalwarts such as former chairman Walter Heen and former University of Hawaii president Fujio Matsuda.
In his announcement this morning, made at Anderson's ocean-side upscale restaurant, John Dominis, Anderson said the key to the race for governor will be to "diversify and grow" the state economy.
"I have a vision for Hawaii," Anderson said. "I will lay out in a business-like, specific manner, new, practical ideas and solutions that I believe we can, by working together, implement to improve the quality of life for all, not just the privileged."