[ POLITICAL FILE ]
Firefighters union will not take sides in governor race
The union representing firefighters in Hawaii said Friday that it will not make an endorsement in this year's race for governor.
The Hawaii Fire Fighters Association said the decision was made in deference to the individual choices of union members. It also cited the commitment by both Democrat Mazie Hirono or Republican Linda Lingle to cooperate with the union.
The Hawaii State Teachers Association, which represents public school teachers, has also decided not to endorse any gubernatorial candidate.
The firefighters union also announced its endorsement of the late Democratic U.S. Rep. Patsy Mink, noting if she wins the general election, a special election will be held to fill her 2nd District seat.
A special election will give candidates who share Mink's ideology and beliefs a chance to run for the vacant seat, the union said.
Democratic Congressman Neil Abercrombie also received the union's backing in his bid to retain his 1st District seat.
Mink portrait planned
U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie says colleagues of the late U.S. Rep. Patsy Mink want to honor her by having a portrait or sculpture of her placed in the new Capitol Visitors Center in Washington.More than 70 House members signed a bipartisan letter to House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., seeking his support for commissioning the artwork of the Hawaii congresswoman, Abercrombie, D-Hawaii, said Thursday in a news release.
Mink, 74, who died Sept. 28 of viral pneumonia, was the longest-serving Democratic woman in the House and the first woman of an ethnic minority elected to Congress, Abercrombie noted.
"Patsy Mink transcended race and gender discrimination throughout her career," Abercrombie said. "Her life experiences challenged her to lead the fight for women and girls to have equal access to education and athletic opportunities."
Mink, who served in the House for 24 years, helped write Title IX, a landmark 1972 education law that bans gender discrimination in schools that receive federal funds. The law was renamed the Patsy Mink Act last week.
Kouchi to get support
LIHUE >> Defeated Kauai mayoral candidate Randal Valenciano is expected to endorse Ron Kouchi on Wednesday. Kouchi confirmed late last week that his campaign has purchased advertising space in Kauai media that will highlight the key endorsement beginning on Wednesday.Kouchi finished less than 400 votes behind Bryan Baptiste in last month's primary election. Valenciano was a distant third, but he received 3,800 votes. His supporters are expected to decide who will be mayor in November.
Although the race technically is nonpartisan, both Kouchi and Valenciano are Democrats while Baptiste is a Republican. All three are members of the current County Council.
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