Abercrombie to Announce Gubernatorial Bid Sunday
Rep. Neil Abercrombie (D-Hawaii) told Roll Call he will announce on Sunday whether he will launch a 2010 gubernatorial campaign.
Abercrombie is widely expected to make the bid, which would end a colorful 11-term career in the House. It would also open up a subcommittee chairmanship on the House Armed Services Committee. Abercrombie chairs the Air and Land Forces Subcommittee.
Republicans feel like they have their best shot in a generation at picking up Abercrombie’s seat in heavily Democratic Hawaii.
Honolulu City Councilmember Charles Djou (R) is running and he’s been fundraising since forming a campaign committee in 2007.
Djou has already visited Washington, D.C., to meet with party leaders.
Among the Democrats expected to seriously consider the race if Abercrombie leaves is former Rep. Ed Case (Hawaii). Case, a two-term Congressman, ran a quixotic 2006 primary campaign against Sen. Daniel Akaka (D), who won 55 percent to 45 percent.
Case has been contemplating whether to run for governor or Congress again next year.
In addition to Case, other Democrats who are viewed as interested in running for Congress include former state House Majority Leader Kirk Caldwell, Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hanneman, state Senate President Colleen Hanabusa and former state Rep. Brian Schatz.