Abercrombie rumored as possible Lingle challenger
U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie is now one of the most prominent Democrats being mentioned as a possible candidate for the 2006 governorship race.
Brickwood Galuteria, state Democratic Party chairman, said he has talked to Abercrombie about running, and the 67-year-old congressman "didn't reject it and he didn't accept it."
Abercrombie, who would have to leave his congressional seat to run for governor, would not rule out a possible candidacy.
Asked about his plans, Abercrombie said there were several good Democrats considering a campaign, but he stopped short of saying he would not run.
"I understand that there is some discussion out there about a lot of people. I can think of several who are thinking about it. If mine is among them, I am very pleased that people think I am doing a good job, but there are a lot of good candidates," Abercrombie said.
"It is very kind of someone to think that my hard work over these years might induce them to think that, but I will just keep doing the best I can and see what results from Brickwood's work," Abercrombie said, referring to Galuteria's efforts to nail down a candidate to run against Republican Gov. Linda Lingle.
Galuteria said he thought Abercrombie, a former state legislator and city councilman, "would be a great governor."
"I am not quite sure what his plans are, but we would welcome him as one of our candidates if he thought it was necessary or he was able to connect all his dots," Galuteria said.
While Lingle and Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona are already raising funds for next year's campaign, no major Democratic candidate for governor has yet to emerge.
Galuteria said the political gossip about a possible Abercrombie candidacy "is all over the street and it is all positive."
"It is a positive thing that Neil would even consider coming home and leading the state. I have talked to him, he's got to think about it and that is all I can share," Galuteria said.
Randy Perreira, Hawaii Government Employees Association deputy executive director, said he also has heard rumors about an Abercrombie campaign.
"We have not been contacted, but all I can tell you is there is scuttlebutt about it all over town," Perreira said.
Big Island Mayor Harry Kim is also mulling over a campaign for governor on the Democratic ticket, and so is former Honolulu Police Chief Lee Donohue. Sen. Colleen Hanabusa (D-Nanakuli-Makena) also said she was considering it.
Abercrombie, a former University of Hawaii professor, was first elected to the state House in 1974. After two terms in the House, Abercrombie served eight years in the state senate and four years on the City Council.
He briefly served in the U.S. House in 1986, winning a special election and has been in Congress continuously since 1991.
If Abercrombie were to run for governor, it would open up his first congressional district seat.
