By Jerry Burris
Advertiser Editorial Editor

The history of "matchmaking" Hawai'i's governor/lieutenant governor teams prior to the primary election has not been a particularly happy one.

There have been times when candidates for the two offices campaigned formally as a team, but never with success. Andy Anderson and Pat Saiki, for instance, campaigned as a GOP dream team in 1982, but lost to Democrats George Ariyoshi and John Waihee.

In 1974, Ariyoshi made it clear that he wanted Daniel Akaka as his running mate only to be handed Nelson Doi instead. Doi began that campaign as the formal ticketmate of Tom Gill, but that relationship broke up even before the primary.

All this is simply by way of saying that any attempt to create a "ticket" in this year's campaign for governor is unlikely. But that won't stop people from speculating.

In fact, interest in the lieutenant governor's race this year is at a high level because both the Democrats and Republicans have put forth interesting and competitive fields. On the Democratic side, three well-known and experienced politicians — Clayton Hee, Donna Ikeda and Matt Matsunaga — share the ballot with less known Marvin Franklin. The Republicans have an equally strong slate, with former state Rep. Cam Cavasso, well-known former judge James "Duke" Aiona and former television journalist Dalton Tanonaka.

In many ways, these two contests are among the most interesting in the entire primary.

The smart thing for the gubernatorial candidates to do is insist that they like all of the lieutenant governor candidates and could work well with whoever wins. After all, why single out one candidate and irritate backers of the others?

But behind the scenes, the campaigns will be strategizing. Who would best balance and add value to the general election ticket?

On the Democratic side, for instance, would an all part -Hawaiian ticket of D. G. Anderson and Clayton Hee make sense? Or, how about a ticket of Mazie Hirono and Donna Ikeda? Would that be too much of a good thing?

Or if you're a backer of Ed Case, who would you want as his running mate? A Matt Matsunaga, perhaps?

On the Republican side, supporters of front-runner Linda Lingle will have to calculate: Who would add to her strengths? Aiona, relatively conservative and part-Hawaiian? Tanonaka, new to politics but also a fresh look for the Hawai'i GOP? Or Cavasso, popular with the conservative family values crowd?

You get the picture.

It is always said that in the general election, people vote for the governor they want and the lieutenant governor simply comes along with the package. That may be true. But it is equally true that the tag-along No. 2 frequently goes on to become governor.

So watch this lieutenant governor's race carefully.

Reach Jerry Burris through letters@honoluluadvertiser.com.