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On Politics Richard Borreca |
Local voters rejected
GOP power plays
Republicans erred in the local elections by linking the fate of both their incumbents and aspiring GOP candidates to Gov. Linda Lingle's hopes to gain more power.The race, as it turned out, was not about Lingle. The more GOP organizers tried to make it about their governor winning legislative power struggles, the more voters walked away. The proof was a stunning rejection of six GOP incumbents and the election of just one of 18 targeted GOP newcomers in the Nov. 2 election.
The winners who knocked off sitting representatives had one thing in common, a tireless passion for knocking on doors, meeting voters one-on-one and listening.
"We just decided we would out work our opponent," said Rep. Josh Green, (D, Keauhou-Honokohau), who beat Mark Jernigan in the usually conservative Kona side of the Big Island.
Green, the first physician in the Legislature since Duke Bainum left the House in 1994, said his voters are more independent than Republican.
Rep. Lyla Berg, (D, Hahaione Valley-Aina Haina), reported the same values placed on hard work.
"The hardest work is paying attention to everyone's thoughts and reassuring them that I was listening. Some had never seen an elected official at their door," Berg says.
The lone Republican in the new crop, Rep. Kymberly Pine, (R, Ewa Beach), reported that traffic problems in and out of her district are such a problem she had trouble reaching voters at home. So she found them at the beach, at football and soccer games, at church and in stores.
"I also registered maybe 700 voters. I was in a traffic accident and couldn't walk for a month, so I would spend the day calling people," Pine recalls.
The one different experience was reported by Rep. Kam Tanaka, (D, Olowalu-Kapalua) who went after Brian Blundell, who had been arrested on charges of making advances on an undercover cop in a public bathroom.
Tanaka says he won because he was local.
"In my district we never did have a local representative, not that I got anything against people from other places, but I think the locals came out to vote and it helped me," Tanaka said.
Three of the new representatives have family ties to the Capitol. Tanaka is the step-brother of former state Sen. Joe Tanaka, Yamane is the son of former Rep. Brian Yamane and Berg's ex-spouse is Sen. Clayton Hee.
Some, like Pine, have a good relationship with Lingle, but none of the newcomers got to the Legislature because the voters wanted them to help or hurt Lingle; they got into office because the voters wanted them.
Cheerleaders never win the game.