The three leading candidates — Democrats Ed Case and Colleen Hanabusa and Republican Charles Djou — were each asked by The Advertiser to write a 500-word essay on why they are the best pick for the seat, which will be filled in a special election in May.

This election must be about fixing our economy, creating jobs, balancing our federal budget, reforming education and solving the other crucial challenges of our times.

But make no mistake: It is ultimately about change, because the way things are won't get us where we want to go. The question is, what change? Just the same-old masquerading as change, or real change, change that works?

First up, we need change in D.C. Partisan politics have run amok while our country's problems go ignored. Too many special interests pull the levers of power to their own advantage while the rest of our interests are sidelined. What's needed is an infusion of independent problem-solvers who reject the very foundations of business as usual and are willing and able to fight for a better way forward.

Equally, we need change right here at home.

Yes, this election is about national politics, but let's be clear: It's also a referendum on the political culture of our Hawai'i. A culture that's brought us furlough Fridays and top-down control in politics and business, that obstructs the rise of a new generation of leadership at every turn.

The right choice will send a message to the heart of that culture that we're going in a different direction; the wrong choice will lock it down for another generation.

Last, we are changing our representative in the U.S. House, a crucial position for our Hawai'i and country.

And there's a very clear choice between candidates on the direction we set.

My principal opponents are part of the problem, one vested deeply in the status quo and the other driven by his national handlers solely to embarrass our president in his hometown.

But the real question is simply who's best qualified and capable of representing all Hawai'i on Capitol Hill. Who's proved he can do a tough job in a tough time.

I've been a moderate, independent Democrat all my career. Moderate because my beliefs lie not at the extremes of political thought but in the mainstream along with most of us, and because I believe that the best solutions borrow the best ideas from across the spectrum.

Independent because I reject allegiance to or control by any party or person or special interests and believe my only obligation is to all the people.

Democrat because I believe that my party has represented the ideals in which I was raised and to which I remain committed: equality, opportunity, compassion and tolerance, for all Americans.

With four years of seniority and seven years of experience on Capitol Hill, I will hit the ground running on May 24. I will bring to our nation's capital a message of not just any change, but change that works. I will also join you in forging that better way forward for us all, one that puts Hawai'i first.