Filling Mink's seat could take two elections

By Lynda Arakawa
Advertiser Capitol Bureau

The state may spend as much as $4 million for two special elections to fill the late U.S. Rep. Patsy Mink's seat: one to cover the remaining five weeks of Mink's term and a second in January if she wins the general election.

State Chief Election Officer Dwayne Yoshina today announced a special election will be held Nov. 30 in the 2nd Congressional District to elect a representative to serve the rest of Mink's term, which ends at noon on Jan. 3.

If Mink wins the Nov. 5 general election, there will be a vacancy and another special election will be held Jan. 4, Yoshina said.

Mink, 74, died on Saturday after a battling viral pneumonia for more than a month. Her name cannot be removed from the Nov. 5 ballot and state Democratic leaders are asking Mink's constituents to vote for her as a tribute but also to force a special election.

Office of Elections spokesman Rex Quidilla said each special election would cost approximately $2 million. Yoshina said he has asked Gov. Ben Cayetano for the money and that Cayetano's office is reviewing the request.

Nonpartisan candidates and candidates from all qualified political parties may participate in the Nov. 30 winner-take-all special election. Candidates may file nomination papers until Oct. 15, and voter registration for the special election will close on Nov. 1.

Republican Bob McDermott, who faces the late congresswoman in the general election, said he hasn't thought about entering the race for the unexpired term. The district, which consists of rural O'ahu and the Neighbor Islands, is overwhelmingly Democratic and McDermott has had only lukewarm support from his party.

"Right now, I'm focused on this (general) election," he said. "I expect to win this election."

Among the potential Democratic candidates to fill the unexpired term are Ed Case, who lost the gubernatorial primary, and former Gov. John Waihee. The pool of potential candidates from both parties would likely expand if there is a January election and could include any number of unsuccessful candidates in the upcoming general election. But whoever wins the election for the five-week term would enjoy an advantage.

Attorney General Earl Anzai said state law requires that congressional vacancies be filled quickly by special election. State law requires the election officer to issue a proclamation setting a special election date for a U.S. representative no later than 60 days before the special election.

"It doesn't give them much discretion," Anzai said.

But Republican state Sen. Sam Slom denounced the first special election, saying the expenditure is unwarranted and not required.

"First of all, I don't think we need a special election to fill a vacancy for one month," he said. "And secondly, when we're always crying poormouth here that we don't have any money, I think that $4 million or $2 million would go a long way to provide textbooks for our kids or other things in the schools."

Hawai'i had a similar special election in 1986 to fill the vacancy of then-U.S. Rep. Cec Heftel, who resigned to run for governor.

Neil Abercrombie won the special election, but lost the Democratic primary for the seat to Mufi Hannemann. Abercrombie served the remaining 15 weeks of Heftel's term and Pat Saiki, who beat Hannemann in the general election, took over in January 1987.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. Reach Linda Arakawa at 525-8070 or larakawa@honoluluadvertiser.com