Applications Accepted for Tsutsui Senate Vacancy

Lieutenant Governor Shan Tsutsui. Courtesy photo Leighton Hiranaga.

By Wendy Osher

The Maui County Democratic Party is accepting applications to fill the vacancy created by the appointment of Shan Tsutsui as lieutenant governor of Hawai’i.

The deadline to apply for the District 5 Senate seat is 5 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 3, 2013.

To qualify for the post, the applicant must be a democrat in good standing who lives within the district boundaries that includes Wailuku, Waihee and Kahului.

Applicants must fill out a Statement of Candidacy form (available on the Maui County Democratic Party website), and send in a one-page resume, as well as a short statement of intent to run for the vacancy. Recommendations from third parties will not be considered as only applicants may submit their own name.

All applications will be date and time stamped and a confirmation sent to the applicant.

The chair will prepare an official list to be considered after confirming residency and good standing.  District and precinct officers within Senate District 5 will then meet on Saturday, Jan. 5, 2013 to hear from each candidate. Applicants will be given up to 10 minutes to speak to the committee.

Members of the nominating committee will identify the final three names and transmit them for consideration to Governor Neil Abercrombie, who will make the final determination on Senate appointment.

“I encourage any interested Democrats to apply for this position,” said District 5 State Senate Ad-hoc Nominating Committee Chair Justin Hughey. “We are lucky to have such an open and grass roots selection process. I look forward to reviewing each application with the committee and selecting three individuals who represent strong Democratic values that will help to move our community forward.”