Antonio Gimbernat. Photo by Wendy Osher.

[flashvideo file=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9OQVLZchGk /] Interview by Wendy Osher; transcribed by Wendy Osher

INTRO: Tell us about yourself and your campaign.

Aloha state of Hawai’i registered voters.  My name is Antonio Gimbernat.  I am a 2012 candidate for the US Senate seat.  I am 43 years old.  I am a heterosexual and I am single.

Question 1: What is your number one priority for Hawaii in this upcoming term and how do you plan to implement action to accomplish this goal.

My number one priority is the safety of the residents of the State of Hawai’i.  In the event of a hurricane, tsunami, or pandemic, Hawai’i needs to be prepared.  As US Senator, I will work with each county’s mayors and council members to assure the state of Hawai’i is prepared and has available federal funds in the event of an emergency situation. 

Question 2: Why should Maui constituents vote for you; and what direct impacts to you hope to make in Maui County if you are voted into office.

Maui County voters should vote for me because I have over 12 years of sobriety; I am a surfer; and I play ʻukulele. Furthermore, I am 43 years old–perhaps the youngest of the 2012 US Senate candidates.  So, I will bring a youthful perspective to the table. 

Question 3: What concrete examples can you give of your experience that makes you more qualified that other candidates included in the US Senate primary ballot.

From 2007 into 2008, I was a commercial truck driver for a Maui trucking company.  When the economic recession hit, gas prices hit an all-time high of close to $5 a gallon.  I crunched my income versus my expenses, and realized I was coming up short. So, we need someone with my experience regarding the economic recession to serve and represent the County of Maui and the state of Hawai’i in the US Senate. 

Closing Thoughts:

When you are voting on August 11, 2012, please remember who it was that was in office leading up to the economic recession– Mazie Hirono, Ed Case and Linda Lingle.  If you want more of an economic recession, you should vote for them; but if you want someone who will try to do his best to make change, you should vote for me, Antonio Gimbernat, a candidate for US Senate, State of Hawai’i.