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City Councilman Ikaika Anderson has filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission to explore a run for the 1st Congressional District seat being vacated by U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa, but stopped short of declaring his candidacy.
"Our candidate committee ‘Ikaika For Hawaii’ was opened with the Federal Election Commission in preparation of our campaign to represent Hawaii’s 1st Congressional District," Anderson said Tuesday in an emailed statement. "We must ensure that all money received from supporters is filed and recorded legally with the FEC.
"Once my family discussions are complete, as my family will be impacted greatly, we will schedule an announcement."
Anderson, 35, filed as a Democrat. The FEC received the paperwork Thursday.
Anderson is in the second year of his first full term on the Council and is not required to resign to run for Congress.
He won a special election in 2009 to fill the vacancy in District 3 (Waimanalo-Kailua-Kaneohe) left by the death of Barbara Marshall, for whom he worked as a legislative aide.
Fellow Councilman Stanley Chang so far is the only declared candidate in the race. He also filed as a Democrat with the FEC.
State Sen. Will Espero (D, Ewa Beach-Iroquois Point) has said he is leaning toward entering the race and is expected to announce his decision soon.
State Rep. K. Mark Takai (D, Halawa-Aiea-Newtown) also has said he is considering the race.
Former U.S. Rep. Ed Case, who had been among those speculated to run, last week announced he had taken a job with Outrigger Enterprises Group that would likely end his political career.
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STAR-ADVERTISER FILE