State Sen. Will Espero said he is thinking about running in the special election to fill Rep. Neil Abercrombie's 1st Congressional District (urban Honolulu) seat.

Espero (D, Ewa-Honouliuli-Ewa Beach), who lost a state House race as a Republican in 1992 before switching to the Democratic Party, is forming an exploratory committee for a congressional campaign.

Abercrombie said he is retiring from Congress next month to campaign for governor, and a special election will determine who will fill the remainder of his term.

Espero said he is considering running only in the special election. If he loses the race—now between Senate President Colleen Hanabusa, former U.S. Rep. Ed Case and City Councilman Charles Djou—Espero said he will then run for re-election to the state Senate.

Espero, 49, is chairman of the Senate Public Safety Committee. He was appointed to the state House in January 2000 by former Gov. Ben Cayetano to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of former Rep. Paul Oshiro.

He was then elected to the House in the fall of 2000 and has won two terms in the state Senate.

“;I am sure we will see more people entering into this race. If Sen. Espero feels he wants to be a part of this race, that's fine,”; Hanabusa said.

“;I've worked well with Will over the years and will welcome him to the race should he enter it. Whether or not he does, I will ask voters for their support based on my seniority and experience in D.C.,”; said Case.

“;I am happy the voters may finally see another candidate in this congressional special election race who actually lives in the district,”; said Djou.