CRAIG T. KOJIMA / CKOJIMA@STARBULLETIN.COM
D.G. "Andy" Anderson waited at the State Capitol yesterday before filing papers to run for governor.
D.G. "Andy" Anderson, veteran state legislator, developer and restaurateur, yesterday filed for governor as a Democrat. Anderson joins
Democratic fieldHe officially enters the race for governor,
touting his experience in business and politicsBy Richard Borreca
rborreca@starbulletin.comAnderson joins Rep. Ed Case (D, Manoa) in the primary race. Also expected to jump in is Lt. Gov. Mazie Hirono.
As he formally entered the race yesterday, Anderson said that as a legislator and businessman plus two years as city managing director, he has more experience than the other candidates.
"The state is in turmoil, we are in a serious condition and we need a responsible businessman now," Anderson said.
Anderson has already received the endorsement of the United Public Workers union, the state's largest blue-collar public employee union.
So far in the campaign, Anderson has come out with a plan to lower the retail price of gasoline, by having the state buy gasoline and sell it cheaper than the petroleum produced by the major refineries.
He also called for the state to turn over control of the state water commission to the counties and to allow the counties to handle all roads and highways in the state.
And Anderson said the University of Hawaii at Manoa should become a smaller, more competitive university, with more of the students spread among other public colleges and universities across the state.
But Anderson's most controversial proposal is probably his decision to run as a Democrat. He has unsuccessfully run twice for governor and twice for mayor as a Republican, but said he could not support the GOP, because of its religious conservative members who wouldn't compromise on issues such as abortion.
"I've been asked if I had to change my political philosophy in order to be a Democrat. The answer is 'no.' I didn't wake one morning and have a different philosophical view of life or politics," Anderson said when he first announced for governor.
Since that statement last November, Anderson said he has talked to hundreds of Democrats and Democratic-leaning union members about his campaign, adding that he has been "welcomed into the Democrat Party."
Anderson had said earlier in his campaign that he hoped to win the support of other major unions, but so far most of the labor organizations have not yet taken a stand in the campaign or have announced that they will not make primary election endorsements.
Also filing for governor is George Peabody, a Libertarian, who ran unsuccessfully four years ago. Also in the Libertarian primary race for governor is Tracy Ryan.
