Senate race is crossroads for Democrats

Hawaii statewide politics has never been this exciting — or exhausting, depending on your point of view.

After decades in which election to Capitol Hill, for all practical purposes, was treated as a lifetime appointment, there’s been nothing but churn in recent years. This is unquestionably a positive development, but voters should expect the window for electoral change to be open only briefly.

U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa, in the midst of her second term in Congress, last week let it be known that she would vie in the Democratic Party primary for the U.S. Senate seat Brian Schatz now holds.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie late last year plucked Schatz from his lieutenant governor’s post and appointed him as the temporary successor to the late U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye. Hanabusa clearly sees this as the best shot available, probably in her lifetime, at the nation’s upper chamber. If Schatz manages to return to office in his own right, that old lifetime-appointment dynamic is more likely to factor in elections to follow.

In the meantime, this uncertainty provides Hawaii voters with the opportunity to lean in on Schatz and Hanabusa, who have been entrusted with exalted positions in government. To whom much is given, much should be expected.

Schatz undoubtedly felt he was on trial from the first day of his appointed post, and he has been. Inouye had let it be known that he saw Hanabusa, already part of the delegation, as the natural successor. That added another hurdle for Schatz to overcome.

Because he was sworn in ahead of the Senate’s newly elected class, Schatz has a modest edge in seniority over the other freshmen, including Sen. Mazie Hirono. With the expected retirements of several more senators, even a small seniority lead may start to count for something — namely, key committee appointments.

For her part, Hanabusa will have to demonstrate why she offers advantages that offset that edge.

In reality, there’s little chance that either will be given a high-profile opportunity to outshine the other, as Congress and the Obama administration continue struggling with fiscal constraints.

Sequestration, that automatic, across-the-board slice from federal spending, means there will be fewer goodies to rack up on any score sheets, although it’s incumbent on competitive politicians to try their hardest on behalf of the home state. Making the most of Hawaii’s vanguard military position in the Pacific should be their approach toward safeguarding funds that reinforce the defense mission, at least.

The two Democrats undoubtedly align closely on policy questions. So it will be up to their constituents to press them for distinguishing details and make their election choices accordingly. Among things to watch will be their views on health care reform as the Affordable Care Act plays out fully; their positions on the specifics of immigration reform; and their analysis of U.S. options in managing global hot spots such as Syria and North Korea.

Hanabusa’s decision almost certainly came as a relief to the governor, who had to regard her as a leader among potential challengers to his re-election. And it shakes up numerous down-ballot races, with several politicians weighing their prospects for taking over her spot in the U.S. House.

City Councilman Stanley Chang will be among them, and it’s only a matter of time before other contenders — his Council colleague Ikaika Anderson is mulling a run — chalk their name on the board as well. Wherever the lure of higher office works its magic, this leaves openings for newer arrivals to the political scene.

Will the race bring back the veterans? Almost certainly. Republican Charles Djou, who briefly served in Congress after a special election, has to be weighing the odds of another try. Mufi Hannemann, the former mayor, suffered a humiliating loss to U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard in the last go-around, but he may resurface. Hannemann remains one of Hawaii’s most distinctive political figures, and his extensive political experience in Hawaii and Washington could keep him in the hunt.

The list of also-rans goes on. Really, though, the best outcome for voters in a state long dominated by an elite political class would be a choice between seasoned veterans and talented, up-to-the-challenge newcomers.

Change can be good, so let’s hope Hawaii gets the chance to make some — before the political cement hardens again.