In what’s expected to be a close race for Hawaii’s 1st Congressional District, isle Democrats are trying to link Republican Charles Djou, who briefly held the office in 2010, with tea party Republicans in the Congress that some have blamed for clogging government with divisive partisanship.

In a round-table forum Thursday, broadcast statewide on PBS Hawaii’s "Insights," Democrat Mark Takai continually sought to tie his opponent, Djou, to the GOP leadership in the U.S. House, specifically House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio. He consistently raised the issue of Djou siding with tea party Republicans and noted that Djou was a speaker at the group’s first rally in Hawaii in 2009.

Also Thursday, state Democratic Party leadership made note of Djou being on the radar of former Florida congressman and tea party activist Allen West, who is looking to support Republicans in key races nationwide through his political action committee, the Allen West Guardian Fund.

A poll posted on the PAC’s website has identified four potential candidates to support and is seeking feedback. The candidates were: Djou, Wendy Rogers in Arizona, state Rep. Mike Bost in Illinois and state Rep. Marilinda Garcia in New Hampshire.

"Given his track record supporting the tea party, it is not surprising that Charles Djou is one of the top four contenders to get support from Allen West," Stephanie Ohigashi, chairwoman of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, said in a statement. "They say that birds of a feather flock together — and it’s the same with Charles Djou and Allen West."

Djou has said he is not a member of the tea party and points to the Democrats’ attempt of guilt-by-association as a key problem on Capitol Hill.

"While I am not a member of the tea party, if I am fortunate to earn the support of the people of Hawaii, I look forward to working to bridge the bitter partisan divide that has corroded our government."

National Democrats have attempted to play up West’s ties to GOP candidates elsewhere, too.

Djou’s supporters also have chimed in on the candidate’s behalf, as the National Republican Congressional Committee took note of a comment Takai made in response to a question on whether he would be willing to cut military spending.

"Absolutely not," Takai said. "We’re not going to cut military spending. I want to represent Hawaii, and the military is still an important part. It’s our No. 2 economy in Hawaii and it’s very important. I’m going to support the military in Congress."

The NRCC, which works to elect Republicans to Congress, said Takai flip-flopped, noting his website states that "responsible, reasonable cuts to defense spending" must take place.

"Mark Takai will mislead voters and say anything to get elected," Tyler Q. Houlton, a spokesman for the NRCC, said Friday in an email. "Hawaii’s military men and women deserve a congressman who has their best interests in mind at all times, and that’s not Mark Takai."

Alex Hetherington, a spokesman for Takai’s campaign, called the comments "attacks by tea party Republicans" who were being disingenuous.

"Rep. Takai has always stood firm when he said he would not support any cuts to defense spending in Hawaii," Hetherington said.

From the outset on Thursday’s "Insights" forum, Takai sought to tie Djou to tea party Republicans, arguing that their values and priorities were not in line with those of traditionally Democratic Hawaii.

Djou countered and continually returned to his premise that with the House expected to remain in GOP control and the potential for the Senate leadership to switch, it would behoove Hawaii voters to elect someone who could represent the isles in the majority caucus.

"For me, what’s important, is putting Hawaii first and Hawaii’s interests first and who can be that vigorous outspoken advocate that Hawaii so desperately needs right now," Djou said. "And being able to be that vigorous, outspoken advocate in the majority caucus is more helpful for our community right now."

If elected, Djou would retain the seven months of seniority he accrued in 2010, after winning a special election, placing him in the new Congress ahead of other newly elected representatives.

Djou, a former state representative and city councilman, and Takai, a 20-year veteran of the state Legislature, had multiple opportunities to address issues such as health care reform, Social Security and Medicare challenges, education and the war against Islamic militants in Iraq and Syria, but continually returned to the difference in political philosophy.

Takai noted how Djou at every level of government, voted against omnibus budget bills and while in Congress he supported Simpson-Bowles — a commission established in 2010 to identify policies to improve the nation’s fiscal situation and bring about long-term sustainability — which advocated for severe cuts in government spending and was supported by tea party Republicans.

"I believe Charles has a track record that we can talk about," Takai said. "In terms of me being a Democrat, I’m a very proud Democrat and in fact I think it’s important for Hawaii to have a united delegation. We’ve had a united delegation for many years and it’s worked."

Djou said party labels did not matter to him and quoted Shakespeare in proclaiming "a pox on both of their houses" with respect to the partisan bickering that has plagued Congress.

"For me, it’s not going to be about whether or not I’m going to call some other person a name or cast aspersions on them," Djou said. "I’ll work with anybody. I don’t care if you’re a Republican or a Democrat. I don’t care if you’re a conservative or a liberal.

"All I care about is are you going to get things done and are you going to make life better for the people of Hawaii."

The two will have another chance to outline their positions to a statewide audience Sunday night, in a debate televised by Hawaii News Now. Their fourth face-to-face public forum is also sponsored by the Honolulu Star-Advertiser.