Bainum shows interest
in running for Congress

Although he does not rule out
another try at a local seat, the
doctor seeks the federal arena

Dr. Duke Bainum, who lost the race for Honolulu mayor last year, is eyeing a possible run for federal office.

In an interview yesterday, the former city councilman and state representative said: "I will not be running for governor in two years. I know that."

Both of Hawaii's two congressional posts, now occupied by U.S. Reps. Ed Case and Neil Abercrombie, and the Senate seat held by U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka will be up for election in 2006.

"I enjoy public service and I think I made contributions, and I intend to continue to make contributions," Bainum said. "I have definitely not ruled out running for public office in the future."

He cautioned that while he has served in city and state elective office, he is not completely ruling out a run for a local office, but he is more interested in a federal post.

"I think federal office has a great deal of interest for me, especially the issues, but I am not ruling anything out," Bainum said.

After losing the mayor's race to Mufi Hannemann by 1,350 votes in November, Bainum took time off to visit his family on the mainland and vacation in Thailand and the U.S. Southwest before returning to Honolulu this week.

"I will start up my medical practice. I am getting back on the rotation to volunteer with the Sex Abuse Treatment Center," Bainum said.

He put his medical practice on hold during his campaign and said he is renewing his required 50 hours of medical reviews before he goes to Thailand to volunteer with his wife, Jennifer, at the end of the month. After getting a medical degree from the University of Hawaii, Bainum volunteered to work in Nepal and has also gone on medical missions to the Philippines.

While politics is still an interest, Bainum said he is considering starting his own business in Honolulu.

The campaign last year cost Bainum $2.7 million of his own money. He also raised $1 million in private contributions. If he runs again, Bainum said he would probably continue to finance the campaign with his own funds.

"I worked hard to make the money, and if that is how I want to spend it, I will continue to do so," Bainum said. "It gives you an independence that most politicians don't have."