Linda Lingle was elected governor of Hawai'i in 2002, becoming the first Republican to hold the job in 40 years.
Lingle was was born in 1953 in St. Louis and moved with her family to Southern California when she was 12.
She moved to Hawai'i not long after graduating from college with a degree in journalism. While living on Moloka'i, she started a popular community newspaper.
But politics called in 1980. She served five two-year terms on the Maui County Council before running successfully for mayor in 1990.
Lingle was the mayor of Maui County from 1991 to 1999 and guided it through what she called one of the worst recessions in state history. During her tenure, she backed the controversial runway extension for Kahului Airport, angering environmentalists, and increased county spending to promote Maui tourism.
Because she was barred from a third term as mayor, the Republican Party chose her to challenge then-Gov. Ben Cayetano in 1998.
Lingle lost by the slimmest margin in Hawai'i history — 1.3 percent — prompting a recount that confirmed the results.
But her loss served notice to the Democrats that she was a serious contender.
Four years later, Lingle defeated Lt. Gov. Mazie Hirono to become the first Republican governor since William Quinn left office in 1962. She won with 52 percent of the vote.
