Reverse Scozzafava: Republicans Can Pick Up Special Election House Seat in Hawaii

Would be nice...

Hawaii has no special primary elections, and all candidates run in the general election. A simple plurality is required to win. Currently, the HI-1 field features two well-known Democratic candidates (with another on the way in), and one competitive Republican candidate, Charles Djou...

The Djou campaign is taking nothing for granted and has a vote goal of 50.1%.

Charles Djou is prepared to take on a single major Democratic candidate. But we do note that the Democrats' ability to consolidate around a single candidate is clouded by the presence of two well-known Democrats from different factions of the party who are unlikely to drop out and endorse the other. In the Blue Dog corner is former 2nd District Rep. Ed Case, and representing the liberal base is State Sen. Colleen Hanabusa who has been resoundingly endorsed by organized labor and EMILY's List. A third candidate has recently emerged, State Sen. Will Espero, who is likely to further split the Democratic vote.

In effect, the HI-1 special can be likened to NY-23 in reverse, with Ed Case occupying the unenviable "Scozzafava" position and Hanabusa representing the base of the party. Like Scozzafava, Case has depended on crossover Republican votes to win elections in the past, support that is likely to evaporate once voters know there is a real, electable Republican candidate in the race.

Let it be done.

About Djou:

Charles represents the area from Waikiki to Hawaii Kai on the Honolulu City Council. Before entering the City Council, Charles served in the Hawaii State House where he was the Minority Floor Leader. Charles has spent most of his life in Hawaii. Charles graduated from Punahou School and earned both a B.A. in Political Science and a B.S. in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School of Finance and Commerce, graduating magna cum laude with distinction. Charles earned his law degree from the University of Southern California law school.

Outside of the City Council, Charles serves as an officer in the U.S. Army Reserve. Charles also practices as an attorney specializing in business law and teaches at the University of Hawaii's William S. Richardson School of Law.

Bonus: His middle name is Kong. Kong. How can you not?

According to his issues page, at least, he seems like a mainstream conservative (enough) candidate. He's not pitching himself as a liberal or anything.

And here's where to contribute, if you're so moved.

posted by Ace at 01:44 PM

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