Nov. 30 field narrows
By Mike Leidemann
Advertiser Staff Writer
Republican Bob McDermott yesterday withdrew from the special election to fill the last five weeks of the late Patsy Mink's congressional term, saying her husband deserves the seat.
"If anyone has earned the right to fill out her term, it's John Mink," McDermott said.
Also yesterday, former Gov. John Waihee and former City Council chairman Mufi Hannemann endorsed John Mink in the Nov. 30 special election, and the Hawai'i Government Employees Association announced that a series of labor union rallies Oct. 29-30 featuring former President Bill Clinton will be turned into a tribute to Patsy Mink.
Mink died Sept. 28, but her name remains on the Nov. 5 general election ballot, along with McDermott's. If Mink wins in the general election, another election will be held Jan. 4 to determine the 2nd Congressional District's (rural O'ahu, Neighbor Islands) representative in the 108th Congress.
In any event, a special election will be held Nov. 30 to fill the remainder of Mink's term.
Richard Ambo • The Honolulu Advertiser
McDermott was among 41 candidates who signed up by Tuesday's deadline to run in the Nov. 30 election. Yesterday, however, he decided that "common decency" compelled him to step aside in favor of John Mink.
Republican Bob McDermott says the remainder of late Congresswoman Patsy Mink's term should be filled by her husband, John. McDermott withdrew from the Nov. 30 special election for the remainder of Mink's term.
Also withdrawing from the special election yesterday were former state Sen. Malama Solomon and nonpartisan candidate Richard E. Wilson of Mililani. Yesterday was the deadline for announced candidates to have their name removed from the Nov. 30 ballot.
"I slept on it overnight and talked to my wife, and we just decided it was the right thing to do," McDermott said. He said the move also would allow him to focus on winning the Nov. 5 election.
Waihee and Hannemann, who are not running in the Nov. 30 special election but are likely candidates if there's Jan. 4 election, said voting for John Mink would allow Patsy Mink's staff to complete their work and would be a fitting tribute to Mink's legacy.
"He is the best person to complete Patsy's work," Waihee said. "It's the right thing to do."
"This also is the best way to diffuse and de-politicize a situation that has become all too confusing and contentious," Hannemann said. John Mink has said he would not run in the Jan. 4 full-term election.
Union officials said Clinton will appear at four labor union rallies statewide which will be billed as "A Tribute To Patsy."
"President Bill Clinton has accepted our invitation to be part of our tribute to Patsy Mink, where we will honor her legacy and contributions and recognize the Democratic candidates who support working families," said Russell Okata, HGEA executive director.
Clinton will be the featured speaker at the rallies, which will be held Oct. 29 in Honolulu and Oct. 30 on Kaua'i, Maui and in Hilo. He accepted an invitation to appear at the rallies before Mink died, Okata said.
Clinton's travel expenses will be paid jointly by the local HGEA and its national union, Okata said. Clinton will not receive a speaking fee, Okata said.
"By and large, his message will be a clear call for union members to turn out to vote," Okata said. "We believe turnout will be a key to election."
Free tickets to the rallies will be distributed only to members of Hawai'i's labor unions, Okata said.
The tentative schedule for the rallies is:
- Oct. 29, 5:30 p.m. at Neal Blaisdell Arena, Honolulu.
- Oct. 30, noon at Veterans Memorial Center, Lihu'e.
- Oct. 30, 4:30 p.m. at War Memorial Gymnasium, Wailuku.
- Oct. 30, 6:30 p.m. at Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium, Hilo.
