"Two years ago, it was so close. Back then, Republican resources were pushed toward the governor's race. Now, the governor isn't in the race, so I have a good chance," said Couch, who has raised nearly $30,000 in campaign funds since the beginning of the year.

But Baker, who has raised more than $70,000, said she's feeling pretty good about her chances.

"The voters need to ask themselves, 'Who can really get the job done?' I've got the legislative experience. I not only listen to the community, I deliver," she said.

Baker, 58, has served 12 years in the Legislature and four years as head of the Maui County Office of Economic Development. She said she's delivered for her constituents in the form of better ambulance services, harbor and highway improvements, and the new Maui helicopter ambulance, which was launched last month.

As chairwoman of the Senate Health Committee, Baker said she's helped to bring significant funding for long-termicare facilities and services, including respite care at Hale Makua and acute care at Maui Memorial Medical Center, and for special needs such as dialysis, dental care and affordable prescription drugs.

Baker also points to progress in getting money budgeted for planning for a new high school in South Maui, Lahainaluna athletic facility improvements, and additional repair and maintenance funds for the district's schools.

Since losing at the polls two years ago, Couch, 46, went to work as an executive assistant to Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa, who assigned him to represent the administration in West and South Maui. He said he lobbied for the long-awaited Lahaina bypass highway to be moved to the top of the state's priority list, and for work to begin on the Kihei north/south collector road.

But if there's one issue that will carry him to victory, he said, it is his support for breaking up the state Department of Education and replacing it with local school districts governed by locally elected school boards.

But Baker said local districts and school boards would only add another layer of bureaucracy to state government. She said the Legislature worked hard to address the deficiencies of the public school system this year and passed the Reinventing Education Act, which changes the way schools are funded, creates community councils at each school and provides substantial authority to principals, who will oversee no less than 70 percent of education operating funds spent at the school level.

Couch said he wants even more education dollars controlled by principals, "who should be treated like the CEOs that they are." He also said principals should get better pay; be on performance-based contracts; and be removed from the Hawai'i Government Employees Association union and held "accountable for student achievement."