State Senate Majority Leader Colleen Hanabusa (D) has entered the race for retiring Rep. Neil Abercrombie’s Honolulu-based seat, joining former Rep. Ed Case (D) in the 1st district race.

“Whichever way I looked at it, I’m a good legislator — that’s my strength. So I decided that this would be the best arena,— Hanabusa said at her announcement last week, according to the Honolulu Advertiser.

Hanabusa has run twice before in Hawaii’s other Congressional district, most recently losing to Rep. Mazie Hirono in the 2006 Democratic primary by 844 votes. Case’s departure from the House in 2006 to challenge Sen. Daniel Akaka (D) created that vacancy.

In response to Hanabusa’s announcement, Case touted his Congressional experience.