HGEA picks When is an endorsement not really an endorsement? When the Hawaii Government Employees Association takes an "open" position on the governor's race in the Democratic primary election.
Anderson
and Hirono
The workers union encourages
members to vote for either candidateBy Keiko Kiele Akana-Gooch and Richard Borreca
kakana-gooch@starbulletin.com rborreca@starbulletin.comThe HGEA announced yesterday its support is technically "open" but exclusively given to Democratic gubernatorial candidates D.G. "Andy" Anderson and Mazie Hirono -- the first time in HGEA's 68-year political history two candidates for governor have been given support in one race.
"Technically it means that all candidates are acceptable, but in this case, two candidates are acceptable," explained HGEA public information officer Randy Kusaka.
The union explained the term endorsement pertains to support of a single candidate and an open position is for any candidate.
Basically union members will be asked to vote for either Anderson or Hirono, said Russell Okata, HGEA executive director.
With more than 42,000 members, the HGEA is the state's largest public workers union and one of the most active, Okata said. The open endorsement is valuable for either candidate needing campaign volunteers -- the so-called grass-roots troops who hold signs, send out mailings and help with community rallies.
It was not clear how the union would divvy up those resources between the two candidates.
Okata said that this year many government workers had already pledged their support for either Anderson or Hirono so the support of the union was divided.
"One of the reasons we had to stay open was that many of our leaders and many of our members had committed to one or the other candidate and we didn't want to alienate our working members," Okata said.
While this is HGEA's first dual endorsement, the director for the Center for Labor Education and Research at University of Hawaii-West Oahu, William Puette, said it is not uncommon for unions to remain open, but usually it is a truly open position, allowing consideration of all candidates. Open endorsements are "more common in primary election because it's way too early for the union to jump onto one candidate," Puette said.
Both Hirono and Anderson said they are pleased with the support but will work with the rank-and-file to swing votes their way.
Hirono said, "Clearly HGEA is looking for a leader." Interpreting the union's open position, Hirono said, "What it says is that I have a very strong argument to present to the HGEA members."
Local businessman Anderson said the union is straddling the fence. "What they're flirting with is a possibility of a Hirono-Matsunaga ticket," Anderson said. "I don't think that's the winning ticket against Lingle," saying the racial ballot would be unbalanced.
Still, "half a loaf is better than no loaf," he said. "They've accepted me as an equal with the top Democrat, so that's flattering to me."
Left out is Rep. Ed Case, (D, Manoa), who as a legislator had backed civil-service reform proposals and argued strongly to change the state workers' health fund -- actions that HGEA and other public workers unions opposed.
Yesterday, Okata said Case "was not ready to lead our state as governor."
If Hirono or Anderson win the primary, Okata said, he expects the union will endorse the winner for the general election. If Case wins the primary, Okata said the union would interview Case and Republican Linda Lingle, if she is the GOP primary winner.
Hawaii Government Employees Association