State police union endorses Schatz in U.S. Senate race

U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz was endorsed Friday by the State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers as he courts labor in his Demo­cratic primary next year against U.S. Rep. Colleen Hana­busa.

Schatz had already locked down endorsements from several labor unions before Hana­busa announced she would enter the primary. But Hana­busa, a labor attorney who has a history of drawing union support, is expected to compete for union loyalty, which can bring foot soldiers and money to a campaign.

"We have had very encouraging support from the labor community so far," Schatz said at a news conference at SHOPO’s Kalihi headquarters. "I’ve been a stalwart supporter of the right to organize, of my friends in labor — both in the private and public sector — and so we’re going to continue to make that case that I’m the right candidate for everyone in Hawaii, but in particular for members and organizations related to labor unions."

Schatz, speaking of the SHOPO endorsement, said he favors the expansion of background checks before gun purchases to reduce gun violence. "We cannot ask our police officers to put themselves in danger without ensuring that gun purchasers have been vetted before allowing them to buy military-style weapons," he said.

Tenari Maafala, SHOPO’s president, said the union has partnered with Schatz since he was a state lawmaker and lieutenant governor. "The one thing that we appreciate about Sen. Schatz, he recognizes the importance of the safety and the well-being of the people of Hawaii, and equally important, he recognizes the sacrifices, the demands and the challenges that our police officers and our families have to endure," he said.

Schatz, who was appointed by Gov. Neil Abercrombie in December to replace the late U.S. Sen. Daniel Ino­uye, has received labor endorsements from, among others, the University of Hawaii Professional Assembly, the Hawaii Building and Construction Trades Council, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1260 and the Hawaii Fire Fighters Association.

Schatz and Hana­busa will now vie for the backing of some of the state’s most politically influential unions, including the Hawaii Government Employees Association, the Hawaii State Teachers Association, the United Public Workers, the International Longshore and Warehouse Union and the Hawaii Carpenters Union.

"Colleen has a long, consistent history of standing up for workers, and that was before she was even an elected official," said Richard Rapoza, a Hana­busa campaign spokes­man. "We think that the workers appreciate that."

Labor in Hawaii has traditionally helped political campaigns with boots-on-ground tasks such as sign waving, canvassing and telephone banks, but unions, like corporations, are now also free to spend unlimited amounts of money on independent political advertising as long as it is not coordinated with candidates.

Randy Perreira, president of the Hawaii State AFL-CIO, the umbrella federation of more than 70 of the state’s labor unions, said the federation would not endorse in the primary because several affiliates had already taken sides. He said the federation generally does not endorse when there is a significant split within the ranks.

Perreira is also executive director of the HGEA, the state’s largest public-sector union, which will likely endorse.

While securing support from labor is a priority for the Schatz campaign, another is to avoid being entangled in a debate over Ino­uye’s last wish that Hana­busa succeed him.

Schatz said Friday that he had phoned Irene Hirano Ino­uye, Ino­uye’s widow, last week after news broke that Hana­busa would challenge him. The senator said that Irene Ino­uye had graciously informed him that she would be supporting Hana­busa.

Soon after Schatz’s statement was released, Irene Ino­uye clarified that Schatz, during their telephone call, had also asked her for her support. "Brian called last week and politely asked if I would remain neutral or endorse him," she said in a statement.

Schatz told reporters that the best thing he could do to honor Daniel Ino­uye’s legacy is "to work hard, to be humble and to keep the people of Hawaii in my heart. And that’s what I’m going to do."