Oahu Democrats on Sunday declared a University of Hawaii-West Oahu instructor eligible to challenge state Rep. Sharon Har, whose opposition to marriage equality has upset many of the party’s gay-rights and progressive activists.
Nicole Ferguson, who teaches environmental biology, sought the declaration because she would not have been a party member in good standing for six months prior to the June filing deadline for elective office. Potential candidates who do not meet the party’s six-month standard can apply for eligibility, a process where Democrats interview the candidates to determine whether they are likely to support the party’s platform and goals.
Ferguson moved into Har’s Kapolei state House district within the past year and is still registered to vote in a Pauoa area House district.
"I teach at West Oahu. I live in West Oahu. And I see a lot of ways in which we could make our community better," she said. "And I didn’t want to just be teaching about it anymore in an abstract sense. I wanted to make real solutions happen where we live in our neighborhoods."
Ferguson, who supports marriage equality, said she is a progressive who would focus on issues such as providing greater access to solar power and establishing a public preschool program.
Michael Golojuch Jr., chairman of the party’s Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered Caucus, said he also plans to run against Har in the primary. "I’ve seen my community grow over the last 33 years, and I’ve seen the troubles we’ve had," he said. "We need somebody in that seat that has the roots and knows the issues and can work with anybody."
Har, first elected in 2006, was expecting a primary challenge. "As I already have a Democratic primary, I am pleased that the voters of Kapolei and Makakilo will have yet another choice this upcoming election," she said in a text message. "This is the spirit of democracy and I look forward to the voters selecting who best represents their interests and values."
Har was one of 19 House lawmakers — and 13 Democrats — who voted against marriage equality during a special session last year. But Har stood out as one of the most vocal Democratic opponents. She has said she was representing the will of her constituents.
Some Democrats believe Har has been unfairly singled out for straying from party orthodoxy.
Last year a party investigative panel recommended that Har be censured for being the primary sponsor of a proposed constitutional amendment on traditional marriage. The complaint, which was filed by Golojuch and accused Har of violating the party’s platform on equal rights, was eventually withdrawn.
On Sunday, Oahu Democrats also declared Robert Harris, director of Sierra Club Hawaii, eligible to run as a Democrat for the House seat being vacated by former Rep. Jessica Wooley (D, Kahaluu-Ahuimanu-Kaneohe), the new director of the state Office of Environmental Quality Control. Harris joined the party in December but did not want any potential confusion about his eligibility.
Oahu Democrats rejected the eligibility of Norman Brown, who said he was a Democrat who wanted to run for the state Senate seat being vacated by Sen. Clayton Hee (D, Heeia-Laie-Waialua), who is running for lieutenant governor. Former state Rep. Gil Riviere is campaigning as a Democrat for the seat.
Democrats modified their candidate eligibility process in 2012, a year when the party had a protracted dispute with Laura Thielen, who disregarded a party ruling that she was ineligible to run as a Democrat and successfully campaigned for a Windward-East Honolulu state Senate seat.
