Caldwell to formally announce candidacy for Honolulu mayor

By Star-Advertiser staff

POSTED: 05:31 p.m. HST, Jan 11, 2012
LAST UPDATED: 06:26 p.m. HST, Jan 11, 2012

STAR-ADVERTISER FILES

Supporters of Kirk Caldwell greeted him and his family when they appeared at his Ward Warehouse headquarters during his run for mayor in September 2010.

Former acting Mayor Kirk Caldwell is expected to formally announce Thursday his bid for mayor, challenging incumbent Peter Carlisle.

Caldwell has scheduled a news conference for Thursday morning to announce his plans. The former state lawmaker and city managing director already has been raising money for a potential mayoral bid but has not formally declared his candidacy.

Gov. Ben Cayetano also has been mulling a potential mayoral run and said today that the prospects for him entering the race look "pretty good."

Caldwell served as acting mayor from July 19 to Oct.11, 2010, gaining the position when Mufi Hannemann resigned to campaign for governor.

Carlisle beat Caldwell in a special election in September 2010 to fill the final two years of Hannemann's term.

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droid wrote:

Kirk Caldwell seems like a nice guy, but seriously! Who's going to vote for a more liberal version of Peter Carlisle? Not toto mention he favors steel-on-steel. Caldwell should have declared earlier. Anyone unhappy with the current mayor is waiting for Ben Cayetano to make it official.

on January 11,2012 | 05:07PM

Changalang wrote:

The clock is ticking and the gauntlet has been thrown down. Now, or never. This is your only opportunity for a "W" in the last battles of the Rail war. No BS; bring it now. Run Ben, Run! Kirk is sucking up the money/influence like you would not believe as all the ducks are lining up.

on January 11,2012 | 06:13PM

islandsun wrote:

Lets go Ben!

on January 11,2012 | 05:44PM

Changalang wrote:

What is he waiting for? Ben is a very smart big picture strategist. You sure he is not "Trump"ing you guys? The longer the delay, the lower the chances of a Mayor Cayetano candidacy.

on January 11,2012 | 06:05PM

Changalang wrote:

If Ben stays out, then Kirk wins in a 3 way with the Hawaii GOP stand in taking 15-20% of the vote, because the union vote will show 80% strong for Kirk in Honolulu on Election day. Caldwell worked as an aide to the ever Honorable Richardson and Senator Inouye. He is a grad and proponent of the local law school hui. If Peter Carlisle is a mechanic, then Kirk is a tuner. He takes problem situations and gets them purring like a European super-car in short order. Anti-R is going to love the 8 years of Mayor Caldwell. LOL.

on January 11,2012 | 06:02PM

copperwire9 wrote:

I agree, Changalang.

on January 11,2012 | 08:56PM

jkjones wrote:

caldwell offers no alternative to carlisle. he is a different personality with the same end-game. he may help by splitting the pro rail voters. run ben run!

on January 11,2012 | 07:20PM