The primary races for lieutenant governor take on added significance this year, as political parties focus on sending the strongest team of candidates to the general election. What’s shaping up as a four-party race in November all but guarantees a split vote that could hinge on the overall strength of the ticket, rather than simply the appeal of the gubernatorial standard-bearer at the top.

Among the field of five candidates vying for the Democratic nomination, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser endorses incumbent Lt. Gov. Shan S. Tsutsui. The 42-year-old Maui native represents the future of his party and of Hawaii, as a new generation rightly takes the lead and as neighbor islands add population at a faster rate than Oahu. 

The former state Senate president, who previously served as vice chairman of the Ways and Means committee, is known as an inclusive collaborator who brings a fresh perspective to state government’s Oahu-centric power circles. 

As lieutenant governor, Tsutsui champions the promising educational initiative R.E.A.C.H., which provides academic, athletic, arts and cultural activities for middle-schoolers after school. R.E.A.C.H. is being piloted at nine public schools and merits a brighter spotlight and a broader reach. It builds on the success of the A+ program, which provides convenient, affordable after-

school care for younger students. 

A+, indispensable for many Hawaii families, was spearheaded by former Gov. Ben Cayetano when he was lieutenant governor and remains one of his finest legacies. Middle-schoolers need similar opportunities.

The incumbent’s most serious challenger is Clayton Hee, 61, an effective state senator who vows to be a galvanizing lieutenant governor. Hee is seeking statewide office, as he has unsuccessfully before, rather than run for re-election in District 23 (Heeia, Laie, Waialua). 

Hee has a long record of laudable public service, including as an advocate for Native Hawaiians, a key player in the approval of same-sex marriage, the driver of Hawaii’s ban on shark-finning and a catalyst for the conservation of priceless North Shore land. However, he also can be a polarizing figure and ruthless power broker, a reputation gained over the decades he’s been elected to serve in the state House, Office of Hawaiian Affairs and state Senate. Hee’s gutting of Hawaii’s journalism shield law as Judiciary chairman last year was an attack on the First Amendment that remains a stain on his record.

We fault Tsutsui for ducking debates with Hee, who is a persuasive public speaker, but on balance we believe Tsutsui is the best choice in a Democratic primary race that also includes Sam Puletasi, Miles Shiratori and Mary Zanakis.

The Republican primary, meanwhile, offers a choice between a GOP stalwart and a pastor known for his opposition to Hawaii’s marriage equality law. We prefer the former, Warner "Kimo" Sutton, who stakes out clear, solidly Republican positions on a variety of issues. One focus is on lowering the cost of living in Hawaii; he supports an exemption to the U.S. Jones Act to reduce shipping costs to the islands, and therefore the cost of many goods that Hawaii residents buy that are not produced here. 

Sutton is a multi-issue candidate who has long been involved in GOP politics and community affairs, including as a member of his neighborhood board; he has sought statewide elected office before, although not successfully. 

Sutton’s opponent, Elwin Ahu, is a first-time candidate who has a large following thanks to his job as senior pastor at New Hope Metro, a branch of the Christian church. A former District Court and Circuit Court judge who left the bench before becoming a pastor in 2000, Ahu rallied opposition to same-sex marriage during last fall’s legislative special session. His lieutenant gubernatorial campaign oriented toward traditional family values strikes us as one-dimensional, lacking specifics on other important topics.

Independent Les Chang, 64, a former city director of parks and recreation, and Libertarian Cynthia Marlin, 46, a production coordinator and property manager, advance directly to the general election, facing no competition in their respective primaries. Both are first-time candidates. 

Honolulu Star-Advertiser Endorsements: July 20 through July 27, we present our picks for the primary election’s major contested races.