Former Gov. John Waihee has endorsed U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz in the Democratic primary for Senate, arguing that the appointed senator has already put himself in strategic positions to help move Hawaii forward.
In an email expected to be released Tuesday, Waihee cites Schatz’s subcommittee chairmanships on water and power and tourism, his work in securing federal money for the state, his co-sponsorship of a bill to expand Social Security benefits and his focus on college affordability, equal pay, early childhood development and gun control.
"Perhaps what is most important, Brian is a very strong person who will do the right thing for Hawaii," Waihee says in the email. "He is principled and unafraid to take on the toughest issues. From the beginning of his public service work, he has steadfastly fought for real action to combat climate change, when so many others either denied the problem or just paid it lip service."
Schatz and U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa, his challenger in the primary, have split the allegiances of the state’s current and former governors. Along with Waihee, Schatz has the support of Gov. Neil Abercrombie, who appointed Schatz in December 2012 to replace the late U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye.
Hanabusa has the endorsements of former Govs. George Ariyoshi and Ben Cayetano.
Peter Boylan, a spokesman for the Hanabusa campaign, said in a statement that Ariyoshi and Cayetano are "two distinguished leaders who recognize Colleen’s skills as a legislator and leader and believe that her work as an attorney, Hawaii State Senate president and two-term member of the U.S. House of Representatives make her the most qualified candidate to fight for Hawaii’s families and protect our values in the U.S. Senate."
While Schatz has served in the Senate for only 18 months, he has picked up endorsements from Senate leadership, including U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev.
"Brian has built relationships with senators from across the country to move forward meaningful and collaborative legislation for American families," Waihee says in the email. "I am amazed at the relationships he’s built with his Senate colleagues over the last year and a half. That is how you get important things done for Hawaii."
