Posted on: Monday, August 2, 2004

Incumbents keep edge in fund-raising

By Gordon Y.K. Pang and Lynda Arakawa
Advertiser Capitol Bureau

There's no shortage of challengers out to unseat incumbents in the Legislature, but a majority will be playing catch-up in the fund-raising category, according to a sampling of the candidate financing reports filed with the Campaign Spending Commission.

In the reports filed Friday, which reflect campaign activity for the six months ending June 30, incumbents' financial advantage appears to have held sway in most of the more heated races in the Legislature.

Among the more closely watched contests in the state House is a rematch between Rep. Michael Magaoay, D-46th (Kahuku, North Shore, Schofield), and Republican Carol Phillips. Magaoay had $23,981 on hand, while Phillips, who lost to Magaoay in 2002 by less than 300 votes, had $8,029.

Another example is the race between Rep. Blake Oshiro, D-33rd (Halawa, 'Aiea, Pearlridge), and Republican Gerald Coffee. Oshiro had $7,946 on hand, while Coffee had $2,266.

And in a highly contested race in the Senate, Democratic Sen. Roz Baker is leading Republican Don Couch by a large margin, with $38,556 on hand compared with $4,452. Baker, D-5th (W. Maui, S. Maui), beat Couch in 2002 by only about 300 votes.

It's not just Democratic incumbents who have the advantage. Rep. Bud Stonebraker, R-17th (Hawai'i Kai, Kalama Valley), listed a cash balance of $21,253. But two upstart Democratic opponents, Paul Ah Yat and Richard Halverson, reported no money and $300 raised, respectively.

The anticipated primary battle between Sen. Cal Kawamoto, D-18th (Waipahu, Crestview, Pearl City) and fellow Democrat Clarence Nishihara shows perhaps the largest difference in finances.

Kawamoto's filing showed a cash balance of $262,976, while Nishihara reported only $8,663.68.

There are some notable exceptions, however, including two carefully watched Senate races where the challengers have as much, if not more, name recognition than the incumbents.

Sen. Gary Hooser, D-7th (Kaua'i, Ni'ihau) had $2,274, while former Kaua'i Mayor Maryanne Kusaka, the Republican challenger, had $38,044.

Meanwhile Sen. Melodie Aduja, D-23rd (Kane'ohe, Kahuku) reported $3,901 on hand at the end of June, while her primary election opponent, former Office of Hawaiian Affairs chairman Clayton Hee, had $6,888. Both Hooser and Aduja are seeking only their second terms.

Democrats and Republicans are going into pitched battle in 48 of 51 House races and 10 of 13 Senate contests.

Republican Gov. Linda Lingle and other GOP leaders are determined to get enough Republicans into the Legislature to clear the blockade that prevented them from pushing through their key initiatives such as a local school boards constitutional amendment question or a workers' compensation reform package.

The Democrats hold a 36-15 advantage in the House, and Republicans need at least 18 seats to block an override. In the Senate, Democrats outnumber Republicans 20-5.

Democrats want to push back the GOP momentum that began in 2002 when Lingle became the first Republican governor in four decades.

Reach Gordon Y.K. Pang at gpang@honoluluadvertiser.com. Reach Lynda Arakawa at larakawa@honoluluadvertiser.com. Or reach either at 525-8070.