GOP member backs Democrat Hirono

In an unusual twist, former state lawmaker and attorney John Carroll, who lost badly to former Gov. Linda Lingle in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate, on Friday endorsed U.S. Rep. Mazie Hirono, Lingle’s Demo­cratic rival.

The conservative Carroll acknowledged that he disagrees with the liberal Hirono on most issues but praised her support for tourism and environmental protection. He described Hirono as a "candidate of character and sincerity."

Carroll said he did not doubt Lingle’s character but questioned her ability to govern and her decision-making. He cited the loss of the Hawaii Superferry, an increase in homelessness and a rise in unemployment during her time as governor.

"She left the state in economic shambles," he said. "And now she’s saying this is all myth, none of this is true. This shows me somebody who does not know what’s going on."

In the primary, Hirono used a rare endorsement by U.S. Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, to undercut Lingle’s claim of bipartisan leadership. The congresswoman, who had called Carroll after the primary, introduced him at a news conference at her campaign headquarters off Nim­itz Highway as "the newest member of Team Mazie."

"As we talk about bipartisanship, this is really another example of someone who has looked at my record, looked at my opponent’s record and said that ‘Mazie is the fighter for Hawaii. She’s the person we can trust,’" she said.

Lenny Klompus, Lingle’s deputy campaign manager, said Carroll, who has not attracted more than 10 percent of the vote in his Republican campaigns for governor and U.S. Senate, has not been a serious candidate.

"Most endorsements are special and meaningful, while others don’t mean a hill of beans," Klompus said in a statement. "John Carroll falls into the latter group by trying to once again put himself in the limelight by standing with a candidate with the most liberal voting record, after working hard and failing to be the grandfather of a conservative group of party faithful.

"In what has become a personal vendetta, he has embarrassed those in the party that once supported him," Klompus said.

Republicans, like Demo­crats, have party rules against members actively campaigning for candidates of competing political parties. David Chang, state GOP chairman, said it would be up to the party’s state committee whether to terminate Carroll’s party membership.

"It’s disappointing that John is doing this," Chang said. "Instead of electing Gov. Lingle, who is the best candidate for this position, he’s going to take his loss personally and endorse her opponent."

Carroll, 82, laughed off potential expulsion.

"Let me put it this way: With all the help they’ve given me, I ought to be terrified about what they’re going to do," he said. "They might interfere in my next race when I’m about 87 years old."