Legislator enters race for Congress

Advertiser Staff

State Rep. Bob McDermott has officially filed to run for Hawai'i's second Congressional District, which includes rural O'ahu and the Neighbor Islands.

McDermott, R-32nd ('Aiea, Salt Lake, Aliamanu), will challenge Democratic incumbent U.S. Rep. Patsy Mink. He acknowledged being the underdog in the race against Mink but said that he thought Hawai'i residents were ready for a change.

"Hawai'i, which has the youngest average population in the nation, has the oldest congressional delegation," said McDermott, 38. "It's time we start developing new leadership with the energy and vigor to represent our state in this new century, and time we stop sending the same tired faces to Washington — especially when they no longer do a good job of representing us."

McDermott is married and has three sons. He described himself as conservative on social issues but a populist on fiscal and economic issues.