Some 10 candidates may seek Gabbard’s just-relinquished Council seat

Congressional candidate Tulsi Gabbard’s decision to resign from the Honolulu City Council on Thursday sent the Oahu political community into a frenzy, with at least 10 potential successors putting out their election feelers.

Former Honolulu City Councilman Jon Yoshimura said he will run in a special election to fill out the two remaining years of Gabbard’s term.

A number of people prominent in the Oahu political scene also are considering placing their names on the ballot, including outgoing state Sen. Carol Fukunaga; state Reps. John Mizuno and Karl Rhoads, unsuccessful congressional candidate Esther Kia‘aina, former state Rep. Sam AIona, former state Sen. Dennis Nakasato, city Information Technology Director Gordon Bruce, city Customer Service Director Gail Haraguchi, and Democratic Party Oahu County Secretary Bixby Ho.

Council Chairman Ernie Martin said candidates will have from Wednesday to Aug. 31 to submit nomination papers to run in the winner-take-all sprint to the general election finish line on Nov. 6.