Lieutenant gov Competition between the top two contenders for the GOP nomination for lieutenant governor, Dalton Tanonaka and James "Duke" Aiona, is so close that they probably will have to work until the last poll closes to persuade a large number of undecided voters to choose them.
races go to wire
Republican candidates | Democratic candidates
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Republican candidates expect to
campaign up to the last minute
for undecided votesBy Crystal Kua
ckua@starbulletin.com"I think all of us have not had the traditional bases of support that a candidate at this level normally has, so we've had to be inventive and creative along the way," said Tanonaka, a former broadcast journalist who got a big boost earlier in the campaign with an endorsement by former Republican U.S. Sen. Hiram Fong.
"I think it speaks to the nature of the position as well. The L.G. race is usually an afterthought because traditionally it's been an unimportant job."
Aiona, an attorney and former state judge, received a major endorsement from the police officers union, which ran advertisements this week showcasing their candidates. Aiona, a political newcomer, said campaigning wasn't what he had expected.
"It's been positive for the most part. I haven't seen anything that's real negative per se. We have different backgrounds, all of us. I just like to think that people, though, can look at the backgrounds and the diversity and come up with the right balance for the Republican Party and the state."
Cam Cavasso, who is campaigning on his experience as a businessman and the former state lawmaker, isn't giving up, although he is probably the dark horse candidate. With the momentum of the last few days of campaigning on Oahu, "I would not be surprised if we pull this election by a few votes in the last few hours."
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Donna Ikeda is running ads pointing out how she is different from her two opponents. Democratic candidates use varying
strategies to distinguish themselves
from their opponentsBy Crystal Kua
ckua@starbulletin.comClayton Hee, whose horse sometimes gets more attention than he does, is grateful for the job his wife has done with his television spots.
And Matt Matsunaga is learning the ups and downs of being the front-runner.
The three Democratic candidates running for lieutenant governor enter the primary election home stretch with varying last-minute strategies.
Matt Matsunaga, a state senator who is enjoying the endorsements of Honolulu's two dailies, responded to what he called "attack" newspaper ads taken out by Ikeda and Hee yesterday that focus on his 10-year stint in the state Senate. "I guess it's disappointing that they're choosing this forum at the last minute," Matsunaga said. "I've had a very productive tenure in the Senate."
Hee and Ikeda said Matsunaga's record is fair game. "It's not an attack ad," said Ikeda, a former Board of Education member and state lawmaker.
"Maybe he's unhappy because it's true," said Hee, an Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustee and former state lawmaker.
Hee said it is been difficult to run a campaign against a ghost -- referring to Matsunaga's father, the late U.S. Sen. Spark Matsunaga. "Other than the fact that he's Spark Matsunaga's son, what is it that anyone knows about him?"
Matsunaga said he is not going to apologize for being Spark Matsunaga's son. "I'm very proud of his accomplishments, and I have very large footsteps to follow in. But by the same token I think I've managed to make footprints of my own."
Hee has added a twist to campaigning with him being seen around the island waving signs atop his horse. "It sets us apart."
Ikeda has used a more traditional route, especially since fund-raising has been difficult. "We're just carrying on, holding signs. We have a stew-and-rice dinner tonight," Ikeda said while signwaving yesterday in Waipahu.
