State Rep. Mark Takai won a key endorsement in his bid for Hawaii’s 1st Congressional District seat Monday when U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth threw her support behind her former student government colleague.
Duckworth, a McKinley High School graduate who spent her college undergraduate years in Hawaii, met Takai in the late 1980s when both served with the Associated Students of the University of Hawaii, the undergraduate student senate at UH-Manoa.
Takai and Duckworth, an Illinois Democrat, are both veterans of the Iraq War. Duckworth, a Black Hawk helicopter pilot, lost both her legs and some use of her right arm when her helicopter was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade during combat in 2004.
Duckworth, flanked by Takai and several dozen Hawaii veterans at Keehi Lagoon Memorial Park, said she and her former student senate colleague have shared priorities including veterans affairs, education and renewable energy.
Duckworth said that she has spoken with Takai for years about her Truth Talent Act, which helps military veterans more quickly gain civilian licenses and certifications aligned with their skills, so that they can get jobs once they are out of the service.
"You can have somebody in Washington who understands local government, who’s shown the commitment and knows veterans issues," Duckworth said. "But you can’t find somebody who truly knows veterans issues unless they’re veterans themselves."
Takai has spent the last 19 years in the state House, and represents the 33rd District (Halawa-Aiea-Newtown). He is a lieutenant colonel in the Hawaii Army National Guard.
At the Legislature, Takai created the Hawaii Medal of Honor, given to the families of Hawaii military personnel killed in action, and has fought for benefits for veterans, especially those who are homeless.
Takai, like Duckworth, is a Democrat. Others who say they will run in the Democratic primary for U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa’s seat are Honolulu City Council members Ikaika Anderson and Stanley Chang, state Senate President Donna Mercado Kim, state Sen. Will Espero and activist Kathryn Xian.
Hanabusa is forgoing a re-election bid to challenge U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz in the Democratic primary next year.
Duckworth catapulted into the national spotlight when President Barack Obama selected her to be assistant secretary of veterans affairs in 2009. She won election to Congress in 2012 representing Illinois’ 8th District.
