U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie announced he will resign his office effective Feb. 28 to run for Hawaii governor, leaving the 1st Congressional District without representation for at least a couple of months.

The soonest voters can elect his replacement is likely to be in May, according to the state.

Abercrombie, whose term expires in January 2011, said he has spoken with House leaders and feels he will be able to fulfill his remaining duties, including the passage of health care reform and the Akaka Bill, allowing for the formation of a governing body for native Hawaiians similar to that of American Indians.

Abercrombie, who has been a Democratic congressman for 19 years, said the Akaka Bill has passed the House previously, and he has received assurance it will receive support again.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Lt. Gov. James “;Duke”; Aiona Jr. was critical of Abercrombie's announcement yesterday.

“;Our residents want leaders who honor their commitments and do what's best for the next generation, not the next election,”; Aiona said. “;At this critical time, all of Hawaii's elected officials should be working on achieving long-term solutions to the immediate issues facing our families and small businesses.”;

Former state Sen. John Carroll, a Republican, has also announced his candidacy for governor.

Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann has been thinking of running for governor but made no announcement, his supporters say.

Gov. Linda Lingle cannot run because of a two-term limit for Hawaii governors.

Former U.S. Rep. Ed Case, state Senate President Colleen Hanabusa and Honolulu City Councilman Charles Djou plan to run for Abercrombie's seat.

Djou, a law professor and Army Reserve officer, said he is eager to bring his “;message of independent commonsense leadership to the voters of Hawaii.”;

Djou, a Republican who represents the area from Waikiki to Hawaii Kai, has the backing of former U.S. Rep. Patricia Saiki, who is campaign chairwoman.

Case, a Democrat whose cousin is AOL founder Steve Case, won a special election in 2002 to secure the late U.S. Rep. Patsy Mink's seat and served through 2006, when he lost in a bid to unseat U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka.

He ran for governor in 2002 and lost the Democratic primary to Mazie Hirono, who lost in the general election but has since been elected to Congress, representing the 2nd District.

Hanabusa made a bid for the U.S. House seat left vacant by Case in 2006. She also ran in a special election in 2002 for the congressional seat—vacant because of Mink's death.