City Councilman Stanley Chang, the only declared candidate in the race for the 1st Congressional District seat being vacated by U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa, raised $158,000 in the second quarter of the year, according to preliminary figures released Tuesday.
For the year to date, Chang has raised $183,700 and is expected to have about $162,000 in cash on hand when accounting is completed for the quarter.
Chang, a Democrat who declared for the race in April, released the figures early. Candidate reports are due to the Federal Election Commission on July 15.
"I’m deeply humbled by the outpouring of support from across the community," Chang, 30, said. "We’ve been working hard to get our message out to improve the future of Hawaii every single day, and I’m humbled that so many people have responded positively."
Further details of his report, including any debt, were not immediately available. Through the first three months of the year, Chang had reported no campaign debt.
Although no others have formally declared for the race, state Sen. Will Espero (D, Ewa Beach-Iroquois Point) said he is leaning toward entering the race and is expected to announce his decision July 21.
Others who have said they are contemplating a run include City Councilman Ikaika Anderson and state Rep. K. Mark Takai (D, Halawa-Aiea-Newtown).
Chang, in his first term on the Council representing Waikiki-Hawaii Kai, said potential donors who are skeptical of his readiness for Congress have responded positively to his message that the campaign is not about an individual, but about improving the future of Hawaii.
The 1st Congressional District represents urban Honolulu. Hanabusa is challenging U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz in the Democratic primary for his seat in the U.S. Senate.
