State GOP sues over House race
The Hawaii Republican Party is suing to disqualify a Democratic candidate for the state House District in Manoa.
GOP Chairman Willes Lee contends that the Democratic Party was too late with its replacement candidate for Rep. Kirk Caldwell, who withdrew from the race to run for the City Council.
The lawsuit, filed Friday in Circuit Court, comes as more fallout from the confusion at the state Office of Elections on July 22, the last day to file nomination papers for this year's election. When City Councilwoman Ann Kobayashi filed on that day to run for mayor, it set off a series of last-minute filings and withdrawals.
Caldwell withdrew from the race for his House seat to run for the City Council spot vacated by Kobayashi, but the city clerk later tossed out his Council candidacy, saying he did not formally withdraw from the House race until July 23, which was too late.
The GOP lawsuit stems from the Democratic Party's replacement candidate to run for Caldwell's House seat. According to state law, a party with a vacancy due to a withdrawal has until 4:30 p.m. on the third day after the vacancy occurs to submit a replacement candidate.
On July 26, three days after Caldwell submitted his formal withdrawal, the Democratic Party informed the state Office of Elections that Isaac W. Choy was selected to run for Caldwell's House seat.
In its lawsuit, the GOP contends that Caldwell properly withdrew from the 24th District election before the July 22 deadline. Lee claims Caldwell effectively withdrew from the House race when city Clerk Denise De Costa notified state Office of Elections officials on July 22 that Caldwell was withdrawing to run for the City Council.
The Republicans say the Democrats should have named a replacement by July 25, according to the lawsuit.
The lawsuit seeks to disqualify Choy, which would leave Republican Jerilyn Jeffryes as the only candidate in the race.
Democratic Party of Hawaii Chairman Brian Schatz said he believes his party has a strong case to defend its replacement candidate.
