Justin Woodson, owner of a Maui carwash and a former president of the Young Democrats of Hawaii, became the newest member of the state House Tuesday, on the eve of opening day of the 2013 Legislature.
"We’re scrambling, trying to get everything ready for tomorrow," Woodson, 36, said just hours after learning he was Gov. Neil Abercrombie’s pick to succeed Gil Keith-Agaran for state House District 9 (Kahului-Wailuku-Puunene).
"I have a heart to work very hard for the community, so I’m anxious to get started," Woodson said by phone from Maui. "There’s a lot of work that needs to be done, and I look forward to delving right in."
Woodson owns and operates Woodson’s Eco Auto Wash in Kahului and has worked as a real estate agent on Oahu. He has no experience in elected office, but has worked as a state coordinator for the College Democrats of Hawaii, has worked as an analyst and clerk for state Reps. Tom Brower and Mele Carroll and Sen. Carol Fukunaga, and served as special assistant to the state chairman of the Democratic Party of Hawaii.
He publicly supported Abercrombie in the 2010 election.
"Justin’s experience as a small business owner and his familiarity with the state Legislature will ensure continued and strong representation for the residents of Maui," Abercrombie said in a news release.
Woodson said he plans to spend the first few days getting acclimated to the Legislature and getting acquainted with the Maui delegation, including Rep. Joe Souki (D, Waihee-Waiehu-Wailuku), who is expected to be voted in as the new House speaker on opening day.
"I’m a strong supporter of Speaker Emeritus Souki," Woodson said, adding he had a chance to speak with his new colleague after the announcement Tuesday.
Woodson was among three finalists submitted to the governor by the state Democratic Party. The others, from a list of seven applicants, were Anthony Lloyd Edington of Wailuku and Renee-May Filimoe’atu of Kahului. The appointment is effective immediately.
Keith-Agaran was appointed by Abercrombie to fill the vacancy created by the promotion of former Senate President Shan Tsutsui to lieutenant governor. Tsutsui succeeded former Lt. Gov. Brian Schatz, who was appointed to fill the vacancy in the U.S. Senate following the Dec. 17 death of U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye.
