Lieutenant Governor Shan Tsutsui officially seeks reelection. Photo 5/29/2014.

By Maui Now Staff

Lieutenant Governor Shan Tsutsui of Maui made his candidacy official by filing his nomination papers at the state Office of Elections in Honolulu, and kicking off his campaign with a sign waving event on South Beretania Street on Thursday afternoon.

Tsutsui succeeded to the office after the position was vacated by US Senator Brian Schatz at the close of 2012.

Tsutsui was elected to the Hawaii State Senate, representing Central Maui in 2002, and served two years as senate president from 2010 to 2012.  The selection made him the youngest senate president and first senator from Maui to serve as senate president.

As a freshman senator, Tsutsui became senate majority caucus leader, a position he held until 2010. He also served as the vice chair of the Committee on Ways and Means (2005-2010); vice chair of the Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs (2007-2010); vice chair of the Committee on Tourism (2003-2004); and was a member of the Committees on Health, Education, Military Affairs, Housing, Human Services, and Government Operations.

Lieutenant Governor Shan Tsutsui officially seeks re-election. He was joined by his wife, Lyndelle, and daughters, Mikayla, Kaylee and Kenna at the Office of Elections in downtown Honolulu. Supporters also surrounded Tsutsui and his family. Photo 5/29/2014.

In announcing his candidacy, Tsutsui vowed to continue to advocate for Hawaii’s working families.

As of Thursday, May 29, there were a total of five people who had filed papers for the lieutenant governor seat including Tsutsui; Republican candidate Elwin P. Ahu of Honolulu; Democrat Clayton Hee of Kaneʻohe; Democrat Sam Puletasi of ʻEwa Beach; and Democrat Mary K. Zanakis of Kailua.

Tsutsui is a former small business owner and financial advisor. He earned a BA in Economics from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and is a graduate of Maui High School.

Tsutsui has earned the endorsement of the following unions: Hawaiʻi Construction Alliance; Hawaiʻi Regional Council of Carpenters; Hawaiʻi Masons Union, Local 1 and Local 630; Laborers’ International Union of North America, Local 368; Operating Engineers, Local 3; Hawaiʻi Firefighters Association; International Longshore and Warehouse Union, Local 142; Ironworkers Union, Local 625; Plumbers and Fitters, Local 675; Sheet Metal Union, Local 293; Hawaiʻi Government Employees Association; University of Hawaiʻi Professional Assembly; and Hawaiʻi Optometric Association.

Retired US Senator Daniel Akaka serves as honorary chair for Tsutsui’s campaign.