Ex-state lawmaker makes Bush's list
| • | Circuit Court nomination of Clifton riles Inouye, Akaka |
By Susan Roth
Advertiser Washington bureau
WASHINGTON — President Bush plans to nominate former state lawmaker Michael Liu to an assistant secretary position at the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the White House has announced.
Liu, a Republican who ran unsuccessfully for lieutenant governor in 1998, would become assistant secretary for public and Indian housing if approved by the U.S. Senate.
Liu represented Windward O'ahu's Senate District 24 from 1994-96. He beat Democrat Marshall Ige for the seat in 1994, but lost to Ige two years later. Liu also served in the state House from 1980-82 and 1984-90. He considered challenging U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie in 1998, but chose the lieutenant governor's race instead.
In between his stints in the state House and Senate, Liu worked for the federal Department of Agriculture from 1991-93. He served as deputy undersecretary for small community and rural development, and as deputy assistant secretary for natural resources and environment.
A graduate of Stanford University, Liu received his law degree from the University of Hawai'i. He is now a senior vice president and community investment officer for the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago, where he helps promote economic development in low-income areas.
