StarBulletin.com

Mayor in financial lead in race for gov


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POSTED: Tuesday, February 02, 2010

Mayor Mufi Hannemann has declined to formally announce whether he is running for governor, but his exploratory committee has raised $2.3 million and already spent $300,000.

“;Our successful fundraising efforts demonstrate that from Kauai to Hawaii island, citizens believe that Mufi Hannemann is the leader we need,”; said David Carey, speaking for the Hannemann campaign. “;The job of our committee was to determine the viability of a Hannemann gubernatorial bid, and this latest campaign spending report shows that we are ready to launch a vigorous effort this year.”;

Candidates have until July 20 to file nomination papers for the fall elections. Yesterday was the deadline for spending reports to be filed with the state Campaign Spending Commission.

Hannemann's fundraising was nearly matched by Republican candidate Lt. Gov. James “;Duke”; Aiona, who has raised $2 million and spent $1.3 million.

In third place in fundraising is U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie, who reports raising $1.3 million and spending $577,000.

;[Preview]  Mayor Hannemann Unofficially Campaigns For Governor
 

Mayor Hannemann is still not an official candidate for governor, but his campaign treasury is the richest of the potential candidates.

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The Abercrombie campaign discounted the third-place showing.

“;Our view of fundraising is fundamentally different from politics as usual,”; said Bill Kaneko, campaign manager. “;The fact that nearly half our contributions are for $100 or less tells us that people really do want their government back.”;

Also running for governor is former Republican state legislator John Carroll, who reports raising and spending about $10,000.

In the race for Abercrombie's congressional seat - he is resigning the office at the end of the month - state Senate President Colleen Hanabusa has raised the most, $253,000, but former U.S. Rep. Ed Case has spent the most, $86,000. In second place with a treasury of $247,000 is Republican City Councilman Charles Djou, who has spent $36,000.

After Abercrombie resigns, the state interim chief election officer, Scott Nago, will set the filing deadline and the date for the special election to fill the remainder of Abercrombie's term.

Although Hannemann is still mayor, Managing Director Kirk Caldwell has already raised $342,000 and spent $66,000 to win the top city job. City Prosecutor Peter Carlisle has raised $88,000, Councilman Rod Tam picked up $80,000 and Councilman Donovan Dela Cruz picked up $49,000.

The race for lieutenant governor is also attracting thousands of dollars. In the lead is state Sen. Norman Sakamoto, who has raised $291,000. Former Democratic Party Chairman Brian Schatz has raised $262,000. State Sen. Bob Bunda collected $158,000, and Sen. Gary Hooser, $113,000. Democratic state Rep. Jon Karamatsu had not filed his report with the spending commission as of yesterday afternoon.

The lone Republican candidate, Adrienne King, raised $18,000.