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John Carroll, an attorney and former state lawmaker, announced on Wednesday that he will run in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate.
Carroll, 81, said he would campaign on his opposition to the Jones Act — a federal maritime law that protects the domestic shipping industry from foreign competition — and a Native Hawaiian federal recognition bill he considers racially discriminatory.
The conservative also called for tax relief and promotion of an entrepreneurial spirit to help create jobs and improve the economy.
Carroll ran unsuccessfully in Republican primaries for governor against Linda Lingle and James "Duke" Aiona.
Lingle is expected to announce this fall whether she will run in the Republican primary for the Senate seat.
U.S. Rep. Mazie Hirono and former congressman Ed Case are running in the Democratic primary to replace U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka, D-Hawaii, who is not seeking another term next year.
Carroll faulted Lingle for her support of Native Hawaiian federal recognition, her choice not to veto a bill that allowed Oahu to impose a general excise tax surcharge for a Honolulu rail project, and her administration’s decision to exempt the Hawaii Superferry project from environmental review, which eventually led to the project’s failure.
He also believes the former Republican governor is responsible for the state’s economic stagnation.
"I think you can see the state of economic collapse that we’re in here now — I lay at her doorstep," he said.