Mink wins big despite health issue

Associated Press

The secrecy over U.S. Rep. Patsy Mink's medical condition did nothing to put off voters, who gave her a lopsided win in yesterday's primary election for Hawaii's 2nd Congressional District.

In the final returns, the veteran congresswoman won handily over Steve Tataii.

In the Republican primary, 10-year state House member Bob McDermott defeated Big Island accountant James "The Ump" Donovan.

In the 1st Congressional District, representing urban Honolulu, U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie was unopposed in the Democratic primary.

In the GOP primary, auto dealer Mark Terry led over businessman Stephen Bischoff.

Mink has been hospitalized at Straub Clinic and Hospital since Aug. 30, suffering from viral pneumonia resulting from a case of chickenpox. She has been in intensive care since Sept. 1. Her office and family will only say she's in serious condition, but on the road to recovery.

McDermott said voters had a right to know more about her condition before the election, as did Taitii, but no additional information was released.

Gov. Ben Cayetano, who said his office also could not get details on Mink's condition, said he hoped "the opponents don't make anything more of it and try to capitalize on what clearly is a physical illness."

Mink, 74, a member of the House for 24 years over two different stretches, represents the Neighbor Islands and rural Oahu. She won re-election two years ago by a nearly two-to-one margin.

She was first elected to Congress in 1964 after serving in the territorial and state legislatures. In 1976, she lost a bid for the U.S. Senate to fellow Rep. Spark Matsunaga, served one term on the Honolulu City Council and returned to Congress in 1990 where she has been re-elected six times.