State Sen. Norman Sakamoto yesterday announced his campaign in the Democratic primary for lieutenant governor in 2010 outside of Palolo Elementary School, where he attended and his late mother was a teacher.

Sakamoto, a civil engineer and general contractor, is the chairman of the Senate Education and Housing Committee. He was first elected to the Senate in 1996.

"We're in challenging times," Sakamoto, D-15th (Waimalu, Airport, Salt Lake), told supporters. "Challenging times for Hawaii, for the economy, for our families, for our educational system.

"And these times require action, require partnering. We need to move forward. And I can no longer sit by and let opportunities to improve Hawaii, to have a brighter Hawaii, just drift on by."

Sakamoto, a Christian, is conservative on social issues such as civil unions and more progressive on economic issues. For example, he has advocated raising the state’s general excise tax to help adequately finance public education, with tax breaks for the poor and middle class.

The senator is joining a crowded field.

State Senate Majority Leader Gary Hooser, D-7th (Kaua’i, Ni’ihau), state Rep. Jon Riki Karamatsu, D-41st (Waipahu, Village Park, Waikele), and state Rep. Lyla Berg, D-18th ((Kuli’ou’ou, Niu Valley, `Aina Haina), have said they are running for lieutenant governor.

State Democratic Party chairman Brian Schatz and state Sen. Robert Bunda, D-22nd (North Shore, Wahiawa), are thinking about possible campaigns.
Honolulu City Councilman Rod Tam has said he may run for lieutenant governor or mayor.