House Democrats are considering backing former Rep. Ed Case in Hawaii’s competitive winner-take-all special election next month, a move that would run counter to the endorsements of the Aloha State’s two Senators.
Several sources with knowledge of the situation said that the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is inclined to support Case over state Senate President Colleen Hanabusa, who has the support of Hawaii Democratic Sens. Daniel K. Inouye and Daniel K. Akaka , organized labor and EMILY’s List.
The contest carries high stakes for Democrats, given that the district is where President Barack Obama spent his formative years and it typically votes overwhelmingly for Democrats. But since the May 22 mail-in election is winner-take-all and features two well-known Democrats, there is an opening for Honolulu City Councilman Charles Djou to be competitive and give the GOP a shot at pulling off a major upset.
There is plenty of residual bad blood between Case and the two Senators because of the former Congressman’s failed 2006 primary bid against Akaka. In the Aloha State, Case’s challenge was viewed as disrespectful by the two Senators, and the disdain between the two camps is palpable.
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