A $100,000 donation from U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye could be seen as an attempt to influence the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee into staying out of Hawaii's congressional race, a prominent political scientist says.

The DCCC is growing increasingly concerned over the potential for Democrats Ed Case and Colleen Hanabusa to split the vote in the upcoming mail-in election for the 1st Congressional District seat, clearing a path for Republican Charles Djou to win with a plurality in the winner-take-all contest.

Reports have circulated that the DCCC is mobilizing support for Case, the former congressman who is seen as more electable.

That would buck the wishes of Inouye, the state's top elected Democrat and an ardent Hanabusa supporter. Inouye also has made no secret of his disdain for Case, who fell out of favor among party brass when he mounted a primary challenge to U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka in 2006.

“;Why else would he give the money? He certainly isn't giving the money to help Case,”; said Larry Sabato, director of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia.

If the DCCC backs out of making an endorsement—Chairman Chris Van Hollen has only said that the group might endorse—the donation could be seen as influential.

“;If they take their foot off the gas pedal for Case it will be hard not to draw that conclusion,”; Sabato said.

The donation was made this week from Inouye's re-election campaign fund.

Dale Snape, the campaign's finance director, said only that the donation was to support the DCCC's programs.

Case did not return messages seeking comment. Eric Hamakawa, Hanabusa's campaign manager, declined comment, adding that the campaign was unaware Inouye was making the donation until it was reported in the media.

The DCCC thanked Inouye for the contribution but also declined to comment specifically on how it would be used. Officials said there was no timetable on when the group might make an endorsement.

Sabato said all of Inouye's posturing in the special election speaks to his dislike of Case.

“;Inouye and Akaka are trying to get revenge on Case. There is no other explanation of it,”; he said. “;They didn't seem unhappy with him until he challenged Akaka—he upset the normal way of doing business.”;

Djou has called the fight a “;civil war”; between the national party and the local “;Democratic machine,”; led by Inouye.

Sabato added that while a Djou upset was possible, he does not think it is likely in such a heavily Democratic district. But Democrats should not have put the party in this situation, he added.

“;The fact is, from a Democratic perspective, there should have been a meeting of the minds privately,”; he said. “;They should never have let it get to this point—where you have this deep split where it could give the Republicans a PR boost.”;

Candidates are running to replace Neil Abercrombie, who resigned from Congress in February to concentrate on campaigning for governor. Ballots for the special mail-in election are to be counted May 22.