The Hawaii Government Employees Association, the state’s largest public-sector labor union, has endorsed U.S. Rep. Mazie Hirono in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate.
Randy Perreira, the HGEA’s executive director, described Hirono as "a strong voice for working families." Hirono is facing former Congressman Ed Case in the primary to replace U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka, D-Hawaii, who is not seeking another term next year. Former Gov. Linda Lingle is thinking about a Republican campaign for U.S. Senate.
"We are confident that she will work well with Sen. Daniel Inouye and together they will continue to make invaluable contributions to our state that will benefit us for many years to come," Perreira said of Hirono in a statement.
Labor leaders have pledged to build a "solid front" for Hirono, a liberal who has stronger ties to organized labor than the moderate Case. The Hawaii State AFL-CIO, an umbrella federation for dozens of labor unions, endorsed Hirono earlier this month. Perreira is also president of the Hawaii State AFL-CIO.
"They’re joining our campaign for Hawaii’s future because they know we need a senator who’ll continue fighting to get the economy moving for our middle-class families," Hirono said in a statement.
Case said he is comfortable taking his campaign message directly to rank-and-file union members.
"I think the crucial decision for all of Hawaii voters is which candidate can bear strength in our economy and preserve and create jobs over the next generation," he said.
Case said he is disappointed that the HGEA, like the Hawaii State AFL-CIO, did not meet with him before issuing endorsements. "I thought that would have benefited them and that would have benefited me and would have at least made the process appear to be a fair one," he said. "But they’ve made that decision, and we need to move on in our campaign."
Establishment Democrats, organized labor and progressives backed Akaka when Case unsuccessfully challenged the senator in a primary in 2006. Many of the Democrats involved in helping Akaka are trying to build a similar coalition for Hirono, which could isolate Case and make it difficult for him to raise money and obtain support from party activists.
