By Jerry Burris
Advertiser Editorial Editor

A record number of women are running for governor this year across the country. It shows that as a nation, we are getting better at, and more comfortable with, reaching deeper into the talent pool for leadership.

But only one state, ours, has a woman representing both of the major parties, which ensures we will elect our first female governor. This is only the second time in modern political history this has happened in the United States. The first was in Nebraska in 1986.

It's important to note, however, that neither Mazie Hirono nor Linda Lingle got to where they are today on the strength of the so-called "woman's vote." Indeed, the latest Advertiser Hawai'i Poll showed virtually no "gender gap" between Lingle or Hirono and their male opponents in the primary election.

While this is the first time we are guaranteed a female governor, it is hardly the first time we have seen a credible campaign for governor by a female candidate. Among the women who have made serious runs at the governorship are former Lt. Gov. Jean King, U.S. Rep. Patsy Mink and former Honolulu Mayor Eileen Anderson.

Then, too, we have elected women as mayor in all four counties and to countless legislative seats.

So politically, the climate has long been friendly to women candidates in the Islands.

What is significant in this general election race is precisely that their gender has not been a major factor either in their candidacy or their campaign. Hirono won her nomination on the basis of her record as a legislator and as a lieutenant governor — the traditional route to the top spot within the Democratic Party for decades. Hirono appealed to the same collection of constituencies (unions, AJA voters, etc.) that stood behind every Democratic nominee going back to the late Gov. John A. Burns.

Lingle won her nomination also on the basis of her record as a successful Maui County council member and mayor as well as for her work in party building as chairwoman of the Hawai'i Republicans. And even with her centrist credentials, she received her strongest support from traditional Republican Party backers, including Caucasians and newcomers.

Four years ago, in her campaign against Gov. Ben Caye-tano, there were slight indications of a gender gap in favor of Lingle. That, obviously, will not be on the table this time around.