The first "all in" Democratic primary Senate candidate is former U.S. Rep. Ed Case, who formally filed papers Thursday to replace the retiring U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Akaka.

For someone who has been out of office since early 2007, Case remains a strong and interesting part of Hawaii’s political matrix. A relentless and stubborn campaigner, Case still attracts a following and is well organized on the neighbor islands, especially the Big Island.

At the moment, Case faces U.S. Rep. Mazie Hirono in the primary and, if he wins, former GOP Gov. Linda Lingle in the general election.

At 59, Case is a bright and articulate attorney, but with the political problem of definition.

Back in 2006 when he ran against Akaka, Case was cast by other Democrats as being disloyal for challenging the well-liked Akaka.

Case found himself typecast as overly ambitious for running, too conservative for not opposing the Iraq war, and lacking a solid base then to block the criticism.

During his campaign, Case argued that Hawaii needed to plan for a new generation of leaders and start rebuilding seniority in Congress. Since then, others are noting that Hawaii’s congressional seniority will be lowered with Akaka’s departure.

Also, Hirono’s departure from the House means that U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa, if reelected, is the senior representative with just one term. Hawaii’s U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Inouye is the longest-serving living member of the Senate, but his eventual replacement will leave Hawaii with two freshmen senators.

As much as politicians dislike being typecast or pigeonholed, Case has found himself described as too conservative while his voting record shows him as a moderate liberal.

"I think of myself as a moderate Democrat. I think that is where Hawaii and the rest of the country is. My approach is not to live on the extremes," Case said.

Case said he is more about change than about following a strict party philosophy.

"If you think about politics from the extremes, then anybody who deviates from you, anyone who is different, then they are the enemy," said Case.

Sen. Mark Udall, D-Colo., is someone Case knew during his time in Washington, when Udall was in the House. Udall, Case said, has a similar political approach and someone he would compare himself to.

Calling himself an "independent thinker," Udall said he is always looking for a bipartisan approach to problem-solving.

Case added that he considers himself to be "extremely liberal on social issues."

Today, Case said he thinks it will be harder to find Republicans he can work with in the Senate because the party has purged so many moderates.

"It is getting harder to find those on the Republican side," Case said in an interview before his filing. "The party has been particularly intolerant of other than a farther-right perspective."

Nationally, the GOP is locked in a campaign fighting earmarks, saying they unbalance the budget and are wasteful. Others, such as Inouye, defend earmarks as preserving the right of Congress to set the national budget.

Case said he agrees with Inouye.

"When I was in Congress, I definitely advocated for earmarks for my district. I knew my district better then anyone else and I don’t believe that earmarks themselves are bad," said Case, who like a true moderate then cautioned that earmarks also needed reform.

The challenge for Case today is to convince voters that his "not too big, not too small, but just right approach" is what they really want.

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Richard Borreca writes on politics on Sundays, Tuesdays and Fridays. Reach him at rborreca@staradvertiser.com.