Case Announces 2012 Run for U.S. Senate

By Wendy Osher

Ed Case, courtesy image edcase.com.

Former U.S. Rep. Ed Case of Hawaii announced his plans to run for U.S. Senate in 2012. In an announcement made yesterday, Case said he will be running for the seat being vacated by U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka who will be retiring.

The two faced each other in the 2006 Democratic primary, with Akaka defeating case at that time. Last year, Case sought a return to Congress, but was defeated in a special election for the seat currently occupied by Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa.

“I’m running for the Senate because I believe we can and must do better, and that our Hawai‘i offers a better way forward for our country,” said Case.

Case said during his time at the state legislature, he fought for a stronger economy, better schools, and an accountable and affordable government. He said that as a congressman, he focused on preservation of special places, energy independence and fiscal responsibility.

“Yes, we have challenges, from better jobs and education to balancing our budget and leading our world,” said Case. “We can and will overcome them, if we’re honest about where we are, where we must go, and how we’ll get there,” he said.

Other names that have surfaced as potential contenders include U.S. Reps. Mazie Hirono and Colleen Hana­busa, former Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann, and Lt. Gov. Brian Schatz.