The HGEA approved their General Election endorsements over the weekend.
The union stayed safely with Democrats in their legislative endorsements.
Click here to see the full list.
It’s interesting to look at the races where they did not make an endorsement. These include:
No endorsement in State Senate District 14, where Senator Donna Mercado is seeking reelection, and District 15, where Rep. Glenn Wakai is trying to move up to the Senate. Both have Republican opponents.
In the House, HGEA made no endorsement in District 15 (incumbent James Tokioka is being challenged by Republican Larry Fillhart), District 20 (where House Speaker Calvin Say is running for reelection against challenger Julia Allen), District 40 (incumbent Sharon Har faces Republican Marissa Capelouto), District 42 (Rep. Rida Cabanilla faces off against her former legislative staffer, Tom Berg)
The union also made endorsements in races for county councils and mayor, the Board of Education, and made recommendations on ballot issues.
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So whats the story behind this story?
I get the blank on Speaker Say. I even get it on Sen. Kim. I definitely get it on Rep. Cabanilla.
But whats HGEA got on Har & Tokioka, specifically (and I mean – other than the obvious)?
And Wakai? Huh? That one seems particularly odd. Did he once do an expose on HGEA as a reporter or something?
“What she (Hipoli) said.”
I’d love to know what HGEA has against the proposed Big Island proposals for an open space set aside fund and for a commitment to preservation of natural and cultural resources to or, om Maui, an affordable housing set aside fund. I have my cynical suspicions (less money for public workers) but they seem like good ideas . . . .
Look at Har’s and Tokioka’s voting record and I think there’s a basis for HGEA’s decision.
As far as Wakai, who knows? But keep in mind that most unions do not endorse anyone who does not ask the endorsement.