Former Gov. Linda Lingle told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser over the weekend that she would decide on a Senate bid by the end of August — two months later than previously expected.

Lingle is the Republican Party’s best, and perhaps only, chance at succeeding retiring Sen. Daniel Akaka (D). Several Democrats, including the state’s two Congresswomen, could join what is expected to be a crowded primary field for the chance to run below Hawaii-born President Barack Obama on the November 2012 ticket.

“I just want to talk though the ability to make an impact in my state if I did go through it,” Lingle told the newspaper. “Can I make a difference, a positive difference, for Hawaii? And, again, because the Senate is so close, if the Republicans gain control in the Senate, and I was able to win an election, it would be better for our state than to have only Democrats in our delegation.”