MoveOn.org
, a national progressive advocacy group, has opened an office in Honolulu to help coordinate a get-out-the-vote drive on behalf of U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz in the Democratic primary for Senate.
Activists including Alejandro Chavez, the grandson of the late farm worker rights leader Cesar Chavez, held what was described as an "emergency meeting" Tuesday night at a University Avenue office and plan to operate a phone bank for Schatz in the weeks before the primary.
MoveOn.org has endorsed Schatz over U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa, citing the senator’s support for legislation that would expand Social Security benefits, among other issues.
Ilya Sheyman, executive director of MoveOn.org’s political action committee, said in a phone interview that the primary could help "set the tone for what kind of Democratic Party we’ll have," adding, "And whether it’s a Democratic Party that’s committed to standing up for people having a secure retirement and standing up for these bread-and-butter economic issues."
The primary has caused divisions between Democrats locally and nationally. The winner is likely to take the November general election, so some Democrats privately question why national interest groups friendly to the party are investing time and money in Hawaii when Democrats are fighting to keep control of the Senate.
But progressives, in particular, see important policy differences between Schatz and the more centrist Hanabusa. Along with MoveOn.org, the Progressive Change Campaign Committee has been mobilizing for Schatz.
MoveOn.org’s activity in Hawaii is known as an independent expenditure, so it is not coordinated with the Schatz campaign. Two other groups, the League of Conservation Voters and Working Families for Hawaii, sponsored independent TV advertisements for Schatz earlier in the campaign.
The University of Hawaii Professional Assembly also sent out a mailer.
Emily’s List, the national group that helps elect Democratic women who favor abortion rights, has endorsed Hanabusa and has sought to help her with fundraising.
"Team Hanabusa is canvassing seven days a week with a dedicated group of young, local volunteers," Peter Boylan, a Hanabusa campaign spokesman, said in an email. "We are getting an excellent response, especially after Colleen’s stellar performance in all three televised debates. We feel good about our efforts on the ground to drive our vote.
"Having said that, we always knew we would be outspent on the airwaves and now in the field by outsiders and outside money coming to our shores. Hawaii’s people don’t need outsiders telling us what to feel, what’s important and who to vote for. It’s in our gut — who do you trust now? — that’s Colleen Hanabusa."
