Coalition urges switch to Lingle
| • | Lingle not shy this time about GOP connection |
By Dan Nakaso
Advertiser Staff Writer
A group of Democrats yesterday urged other Democrats to vote for Republican Linda Lingle Nov. 5 in the governor's race, saying that she and her running mate, James "Duke" Aiona, are the best hope for Hawai'i's future.
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"I'm going to think out of the box for this race," said Richard Soo, the Honolulu Fire Department's spokesman and a lifelong Democrat. "Let's all vote out of the box."
Linda Lingle, the Republican candidate for governor, is attracting Democrats' votes.
Soo said he has supported Lingle since she announced her candidacy but formed the Democrats for Lingle/Aiona several weeks at her request.
Nine Democrats offered their support at Lingle's headquarters yesterday. Soo said the coalition includes about 100 more people — most of them "people in stmate and city positions who don't want to be exposed."
Most of those who spoke in support of Lingle and Aiona yesterday said they were lifelong Democrats who weren't changing political parties.
They said they're voting for Lingle and Aiona, however, because they are the best candidates.
"I didn't leave the Democratic Party," said Ted Hong, a Hilo attorney and former Big Island corporation counsel. "The Democratic Party left us. Lingle and Aiona are the only candidates who have a meaningful plan for change."
The campaign of Democrat Mazie Hirono said Hirono and running mate Matt Matsunaga are the candidates who offer the best program for Hawai'i.
Campaign spokeswoman Barbara Tanabe yesterday cited the party's commitment to tax reform, improved education and job creation.
"We believe that it is the Democrats who have pushed for change," said Tanabe.
At Lingle's headquarters yesterday, Donald Chang, a former Honolulu Fire Department chief, said he's been a Democrat for over 35 years, going back to the days of Gov. John Burns. No one had ever impressed Chang like Burns did. Then Chang met Lingle.
"I found the same warm feeling when I talked to Linda Lingle," Chang said.
Elena Pope, who spent 27 years in the Department of Corrections, said, "It's time for people like me to step up to the plate and try to make a difference."
Aiona said the leaders of the coalition are "not only Democrats, but they're patriots of Hawai'i."
Reach Dan Nakaso at dnakaso@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8085.
