WAILUKU » Maui County Democrats say any Democrat in "good standing" and who lives in Senate District 5 — which includes Wailuku, Waihee and Kahului — is welcome to apply for the seat vacated by state Senator Shan Tsutsui.

The Maui County Democratic Party says it is setting Thursday at 5:00 p.m. as the deadline to apply for the vacant seat.

The seat became vacant after Tsutsui became Hawaii’s new lieutenant governor Thursday.

As Senate president, the 41-year-old Tsutsui was first in line for the job when the previous lieutenant governor — Brian Schatz — was appointed to fill the vacancy created by the death of Sen. Daniel Inouye.

Officials say applicants interested in applying for the vacant District 5 seat must fill out a "Statement of Candidacy" form and send in a one-page resume, as well as a short statement.