Former congressman Ed Case announced today that he will run in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate next year for the seat being vacated by U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka.

 Case, in a video posted on his campaign website, said he would bring the hope and purpose he sees in Hawaii to a Washington, D.C., political climate he believes "pits politics against people."

 "Today’s Washington, though, pits politics against people, gain today against responsibility tomorrow. Last are the unity and results and progress we want and deserve," he said in the video.

 "Here at home, amidst our differences, we’ve done better at respecting and helping each other, of working for the common good. We know that we’re part of something truly special, and we want to preserve it.

 "That same hope and purpose is what our country needs today in Washington."

 Case, who represented rural Oahu and the neighbor islands for four years in Congress, ran unsuccessfully in the primary against Akaka in 2006.

 The moderate Democrat, who was part of the Blue Dog coalition in the U.S. House, also ran unsuccessfully in a special election for Congress last year to serve out the remainder of Neil Abercrombie’s term after Abercrombie resigned to run for governor.

 Case was among the first Democrats to show interest in a Senate campaign after Akaka announced he would not seek another term.

 Other potential Democratic contenders include U.S. Rep. Mazie Hirono, U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa and Lt. Gov. Brian Schatz.

 Former Gov. Linda Linda, a Republican, has said she would decide by this summer whether to run.