Election officials report brisk business across the state with potential candidates taking out nomination papers to run in the 2010 election.

By 4:30 p.m. yesterday, 35 possible candidates had taken out papers to run in the upcoming races, according to the state Office of Elections.

Two candidates filed papers: Hawaii County Councilman Donald Ikeda and former Kauai Council member Mel Rapozo, who is seeking his old seat.

Adding to the mix is state Rep. Lyla Berg (D, Hahaione Valley-Aina Haina), who took out papers to run for lieutenant governor. If she files, Berg will join fellow Democrats state Sens. Robert Bunda, Gary Hooser and Norman Sakamoto, state Rep. Jon Karamatsu and former Democratic Party Chairman Brian Schatz in seeking the state's No. 2 post.

“;I will make use of the office's visibility and stature to help our state achieve much-needed education reform,”; Berg said.

On the GOP side, Adrienne King is running for lieutenant governor.

Still up in the air is the special election to fill the seat expected to be vacant when U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie resigns to run for governor. Scott Nago, interim chief election officer, said he will issue a proclamation after Abercrombie steps down that will include the date of the special election and the filing deadline.

People wishing to file can get their nomination papers either from the elections office in Pearl City or the four county clerks' offices. The deadline for filing is July 20.