Say to step down as House speaker; recommends Oshiro
JAMM AQUINO
CTY - House Speaker Calvin Say, right, and Treasurer Marcus Oshiro speak to the media during a press conference on Thursday, Dec.13, 2012 at the State Capitol in Honolulu. Speaker Say is stepping down from his position in January. (Jamm Aquino/The Honolulu Star-Advertiser).
CTY - House Speaker Calvin Say, right, and Treasurer Marcus Oshiro speak to the media during a press conference on Thursday, Dec.13, 2012 at the State Capitol in Honolulu. Speaker Say is stepping down from his position in January. (Jamm Aquino/The Honolulu Star-Advertiser).
State House Speaker Calvin Say said today he will be stepping down as speaker after 14 years in charge after realizing that he did not have the votes to remain in power.
Say said he is recommending Rep. Marcus Oshiro, the chairman of the House Finance Committee, as his replacement. He urged the House’s 44 majority Democrats to choose a leader and not rely on Republicans to organize.
Rep. Joseph Souki, who Say had toppled as speaker 14 years ago, has gathered 30 votes from dissidents and Republicans to remove Say.
Oshiro said he believes he will hold Say’s 21 Democratic votes and will attempt to persuade some in Souki’s coalition to join him.
Say is the longest-serving speaker in House history.
