Hawaii Speaker of the House Calvin Say is one vote short of keeping his leadership post, while his opponents are pushing for a compromise candidate.

Say, a Democrat, gained the backing of freshman Rep. Linda Ichiyama, boosting his number of committed supporters to 25, spokeswoman Georgette Deemer said Thursday. He needs a majority of the House’s 51 members to retain his leadership position.

The chamber’s remaining 18 Democrats want new blood in charge of the House since Say has held power since 1999. Because of the House’s overwhelming Democratic majority, its eight Republicans won’t get a vote unless no consensus is reached before the Legislature convenes Jan. 19.

Say, D-St. Louis Heights-Wilhelmina Rise, and Ichiyama, D-Moanalua Valley-Salt Lake, declined to comment Thursday.

But Democrats who want Say gone said they’re seeking a new leadership team that will be more inclusive.

“When somebody has been speaker for 12 years, the conversation gets tighter and tighter around the group that has become his confidants,” said Rep. Denny Coffman, D-Keauhou-Honokohau. “It naturally happens, and that’s why it’s time for a change.”

Rep. Chris Lee, D-Lanikai-Waimanalo, said he wants a leader who can work with all the House’s members while coordinating policy between the Democrat-run Senate and Democratic Gov.-elect Neil Abercrombie. Democrats control all but one seat in the 25-member Senate.

“We’d like to see a leader who can cross that divide,” Lee said. “We want a better process that allows an agenda to be set, goals to be met and legislation passed that benefits everyone in the state of Hawaii.”

Representatives vying for Say’s position include Rep. Roy Takumi, D-Pearl City-Pacific Palisades, and Rep. Sylvia Luke, D-Pacific Heights-Punchbowl. Neither returned phone calls seeking comment Thursday.

But Say contends he has been inclusive by putting his in-party opponents in positions of power, Deemer said.

Takumi heads the Education Committee, Coffman is the vice chair of the Energy and Environmental Protection Committee, and three other so-called “dissident” representatives hold committee chairmanships.

Say’s opponents include labor union-backed representatives who blame him for last session’s hearings on reductions in public employee benefits while refusing to consider raising general excise taxes to help balance the state’s budget.

“I’m hoping the speaker can at least come to some kind of compromise. Gosh, every one of us should be involved in some capacity,” said freshman Rep. Dee Morikawa, D-Niihau-Poipu-Kokee. “I’m just one for change. I’m for everyone being involved in whatever field they’re good at.”