Ex-Rep. Case making Hawaii Senate bid

Hawaii’s former Congressman Ed Case announced his bid for retiring Democratic Sen. Daniel Akaka’s seat in a video released to supporters on Sunday.

Case, who represented the state’s 2nd congressional district from 2002 to 2007, talked up his Washington experience in the video. “I fought for fair treatment of Hawaii, preservation of our special places, energy independence and fiscal responsibility. At home we crisscrossed the state to bring your government to your doorstep,” he said. 

“Today’s Washington, though, pits politics against people, gain today against responsibility tomorrow. Lost are the unity and results and progress we all want and deserve.”

He said Congress should work to “overcome” the country’s current challenges. “If we’re honest about where we are, where we must go, and how we’ll get there,” he said. “It won’t be easy, but if we do it together we cannot fail.”

This will be Case’s second bid for Senate. The Democrat challenged Akaka in the 2006 Democratic Senate primary and lost, 53-46. Many Democrats were offended that he made Akaka’s age — the senator was 82 by Election Day — an issue. Lingering resentment could hurt his chances.

Last year, Case finished third in the May special election for former Rep. Neil Abercrombie’s seat.

Akaka announced in March he wouldn’t seek another term in 2012.

Case is likely to face competition for the Democratic nod. Reps. Colleen Hanabusa and Mazie Hirono have expressed interest in running, and former Lt. Gov. Brian Schatz and former Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann are also considered contenders. 

Republicans are looking to former Gov. Linda Lingle (R), who indicated earlier this year that she would consider a Senate bid.

—Shane D’Aprile contributed.