Posted on: Sunday, November 11, 2001
Ex-legislator Carroll in GOP governor race
By Scott Ishikawa
Advertiser Staff Writer
While facing a daunting challenge from Republican gubernatorial candidate Linda Lingle in the primary, former state legislator and unsuccessful U.S. Senate candidate John Carroll yesterday announced he will run for governor in 2002.
Standing in front of the Korean and Vietnam War memorial downtown, Carroll, a war veteran, said he believes he has the political, business and military background to lead Hawai'i during the new war against terrorists.
His campaign will focus on Hawai'i's economic situation, educational system and homeland safety, he said.
Noting the detrimental effects the war is having on Hawai'i, Carroll said: "We can make the best of a bad situation. But that won't happen with politics as usual ... and that won't happen with the candidates we are being told are running for governor."
Carroll, who will be 72 next month, admits he faces an uphill battle in the primary against gubernatorial hopeful and Hawai'i Republican Party Chairwoman Linda Lingle.
"I'm looking at running a citizen's campaign, and following voluntary campaign spending limits," Carroll said. That would allow him to receive public campaign money.
Carroll spent about $200,000 in the U.S. Senate race against incumbent Daniel Akaka during the 2000 elections.
During the campaign, Carroll became entangled in a controversy over his lawsuit against the Office of Hawaiian Affairs alleging that OHA is spending money in "racially discriminatory" ways.
He argued that the ceded lands revenue that now goes to OHA should benefit all state residents, not just Hawaiians.
Following the lawsuit, Carroll's own Republican Party issued a press release announcing it had nothing to do with Carroll's suit, in part because party officials worried the suit would anger Hawaiian voters.
Carroll served in the state House in 1972-78 and state Senate in 1978-80. He is also former chairman of the Hawai'i Republican Party.
Carroll is an attorney, pilot and chairman of Hawaii Aviation Contract Services, which provides pilots to Japan Airlines and Japan Air Charter.
He worked for Hawaiian Airlines from 1958 to 1989 as a pilot and in other positions.
