State Sen. Will Espero will enter the Democratic primary for Congress, emphasizing his two decades of experience as a state lawmaker and city administrator and his private sector work in property management.
Espero, who describes himself as a liberal, said he would concentrate on issues such as preserving Social Security and Medicare, job creation, education and public safety.
Espero is scheduled to announce his candidacy for urban Honolulu’s 1st Congressional District this afternoon at the state Capitol. He is the second Democrat to commit to the primary to replace U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa, who is challenging U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz in the Democratic primary for Senate. Honolulu City Councilman Stanley Chang was the first to declare.
Honolulu City Councilman Ikaika Anderson has set up a federal campaign-finance account to explore a potential campaign. State Rep. K. Mark Takai (D, Halawa-Aiea-Newtown) is also considering a run.
"I believe my experience will help me in the halls of Congress," said Espero (D, Ewa Beach-Iroquois Point), the chairman of the Senate Public Safety, Intergovernmental and Military Affairs Committee.
Espero, 52, has carved out a niche at the Legislature on public safety issues, including the oversight of state prison conditions, juvenile justice and inmate rights. He has also urged the development of an aerospace industry in the islands and has promoted space tourism. He is a strong advocate for the Honolulu rail project.
Espero, a Catholic, opposes abortion except in cases of rape or incest. He said, however, that he would not vote to overturn Roe v. Wade, the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion. He said he supports gay marriage, with the caveat that churches should be able to choose whether or not to perform same-sex weddings.
The senator said he is more conservative on fiscal issues.
"I think most of America believes that we have to watch our tax dollars that come in and we need to spend them wisely and efficiently with no waste," he said.
Espero first ran unsuccessfully for the Legislature as a Republican, a party he aligned with at the time because he thought the GOP was stronger on military issues. He was chosen by Honolulu Mayor Frank Fasi to manage the city’s neighborhood board system in the late 1980s and early 1990s. He was appointed as a Democrat by Gov. Ben Cayetano to fill a House vacancy in 1999 and was elected to the House in 2000. He was elected to the Senate in 2002.
Espero has worked in property management for D.R. Horton-Schuler Division and the Ewa by Gentry Community Association.
Espero, whose parents are from the Philippines, could establish a solid base among Filipino voters, which could help distinguish him in a potentially crowded primary.
State Rep. Rida Cabanilla, state Sen. Clarence Nishihara, Honolulu City Councilman Ron Menor and former state Rep. Romeo Mindo are among those who are expected to join Espero at his announcement today.
"I’m going to go to Washington, D.C., to fight for the people of Hawaii, and to make sure that the positions I take benefit our state, as well as benefit our nation," Espero said. "However, I am able to talk to individuals on both sides of the aisle. I’m able to collaborate."
