Posted on: Friday, September 27, 2002

Mink remains in hospital, race

By Kevin Dayton
Advertiser Capitol Bureau Chief

Despite her illness, U.S. Rep. Patsy Mink will be the Democrats' candidate for the 2nd Congressional District seat, and after yesterday the Democrats cannot offer any other name in her place.

State Attorney General Earl Anzai said yesterday was the last day for Mink to withdraw from the race and have the state Democratic Party appoint a replacement candidate.

Mink, 74, has viral pneumonia brought on by a case of chickenpox and has been in the Straub Clinic & Hospital intensive care unit since Sept. 1.

Her family has requested that the hospital withhold information on her condition, and has asked that the public be patient while Mink fights the pneumonia.

Mink's Republican opponent, state Rep. Bob McDermott could not be reached for comment yesterday. However, earlier this week he called for Mink to withdraw from the race and said he plans to make her fitness to serve an issue.

McDermott, who lives in Foster Village, said on Wednesday he would prefer to have an opponent he could debate. "The Democratic Party is pushing me into a corner where there is nothing else to talk about," he said. "I could talk about Iraq but who are we kidding? The real issue is the condition of Mrs. Mink."

Andrew Winer, who has been acting as a spokesman for the Mink family, said yesterday that Mink will remain on the ballot "and she will be there for the people of Hawai'i to vote for if they care to. There will be a campaign."

"I can tell you that the Democratic Party certainly will be running a campaign on her behalf," he said. "Whichever of those scenarios may develop, the Democratic Party is certainly committed to supporting Patsy. She's our nominee."

State Democratic Party Chairwoman Lorraine Akiba said yesterday she had reconfirmed with the family that Mink will continue with the campaign and that Mink is still recuperating and is confident she will be able to fulfill her duties.

"The situation is the same as it was going into the primary," Akiba said. "We will continue with her going into the general election as our candidate."

The Associated Press contributed to this article.

Reach Kevin Dayton at kdayton@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8070.