Posted on: Sunday, April 13, 2003

Ex-legislator chosen to lead Hawai'i Democratic Party

Advertiser Staff

Former state lawmaker Alex Santiago was elected chairman of the Hawai'i Democratic Party yesterday.

The party's State Central Committee chose Santiago from a slate of six candidates. The others were: attorney Mike Abe; realtor associate Cindy Rasmussen; Martin Rice; Jimmy Toyama, the party's county chairman for O'ahu; and Robert Tokioka III.

"Most of Hawai'i's voters are still really Democrats at heart," Santiago said. "We have one simple message to every voter in Hawai'i: We're listening."

Honolulu attorney Lorraine Akiba resigned as statewide party chairwoman this year and Mark Forman, executive administrator for the Hawaii Medical Service Association Foundation, served as acting party chairman pending election of the new leader.

Santiago will take office immediately.