Former U.S. Rep. Ed Case is defending himself against comments by U.S. Sen. Dan Inouye that Case misled the congressional delegation about his intentions in 2006, when he opted to forgo re-election for a race against fellow Democrat U.S. Sen. Dan Akaka.

In a campaign e-mail to supporters, Case said Inouye's “;recollection of the facts is not correct.”;

Case's e-mail was prompted by Inouye's statement Saturday at the opening of state Senate President Colleen Hanabusa's campaign headquarters. Democrats Hanabusa and Case, along with City Councilman Charles Djou, a Republican, are running for the congressional seat being vacated by U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie, who is running for governor.

Inouye said Case misled the Hawaii congressional delegation in 2006 by saying he intended to run for re-election, when he actually was already planning a race against Akaka. Case lost the 2006 primary election as the Hawaii Democratic establishment turned out to support Akaka.

“;I don't mind people changing their mind ... but to come out and say “;no”; when all the time you are intended to do otherwise; that's not my kind of guy,”; Inouye said Saturday.

Case said in his e-mail that Inouye convened a meeting in 2005 in Washington. “;He stated that I was the delegation's and Democrats' choice to run for Hawaii governor in '06 and asked me to do so.

“;I reply that I deeply appreciated his confidence but that I believed my best contribution lay in continuing my service in Congress.”;

Case said Inouye then questioned him on whether he would rule out a run for the Senate in 2006.

“;I replied that while I hadn't decided to do so, I wouldn't rule it out,”; Case wrote.

Inouye also invoked the name of the late U.S. Rep. Patsy Mink, who died shortly before the election in 2002. Case, who had just lost a Democratic gubernatorial primary, jumped into the special election to select someone to fill out the remaining two months of Mink's 2002 term.

On Saturday, Inouye also complained that many Democrats, including himself, had wanted Mink's husband, John Mink, to run and act as a caretaker until someone was elected for the 2003-04 term.

“;John filed after I announced, but said he would not run again so that the benefits of seniority would be lost,”; Case said.

“;He (Mink) was talked into the race by those who supported others for election to Congress. They, including my present opponent, then called on me to withdraw,”; Case said, adding that “;Sen. Inouye, though, did not ask me to withdraw.”;

Inouye was not available for reaction because he is en route to Japan, but a press spokesman said Inouye “;stands by his statements.”;