Here is your political guide to the new year. No predictions, just the dates. Don’t say you weren’t warned.
Jan. 15: Say “Happy Birthday” to Gov. David Ige, who will be 59.
Jan. 20: The 2016 Legislature opens.
Jan. 25: Ige gives his second State of the State speech.
Jan. 27: Last day to introduce a bill in the Legislature.
Feb. 1: Campaign spending reports due, first chance to see who is raising the most money for the fall campaigns.
Feb. 1: Iowa Caucus gives first measurable political hints to the presidential candidates.
Feb. 1: First day to file for a federal state or county political office in Hawaii.
Feb. 7: Super Bowl.
Feb. 25: Deadline to form a new political party.
Feb. 25-March 2: Mandatory legislative recess, which means more chances to hold hearings and fundraisers, not go on vacation.
March 8: Hawaii GOP Presidential Caucus, the big mainland caucus day, but Super Tuesday, March 1, has already exhausted you because there are primaries in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Massachusetts, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Vermont, plus caucuses in Alaska, Colorado, Minnesota and Wyoming.
March 26: Hawaii Democratic presidential preference poll.
April 25: House Speaker Joe Souki will be 84.
April 29: Last chance to check the math in the state budget as it goes for a final legislative vote today.
May 5: Legislature scheduled to end.
June 7: Pay attention, you have until 4:30 p.m. to file for office.
July 18-21: GOP National Convention in Cleveland.
July 25-28: Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia.
Aug. 5-21: Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, just in case you need distraction from the Hawaii political season.
Aug. 13: Hawaii’s primary election. Watch to see how many legislators are elected outright in the primary, avoiding a general election race.
Sept. 4: Mayor Kirk Caldwell will be 64; so far he has not scheduled a fundraiser on this date for his reelection campaign.
Sept. 26: First general election presidential debate in Dayton, Ohio.
Oct. 24: Senate President Ron Kouchi will be 59.
Nov. 8: Election Day. All those “Who will be president? Who will be mayor?” questions answered.
Dec. 19: Electoral College meets to officially elect the new president.
———
Richard Borreca writes on politics on Sundays, Tuesdays and Fridays. Reach him at rborreca@staradvertiser.com.
Richard Borreca writes on politics on Sundays, Tuesdays and Fridays. Reach him at rborreca@staradvertiser.com.
