Congressional hopeful Mark Takai was endorsed last week by Equality Hawaii, a nonprofit group that advocates for the rights of the state’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.

Takai is one of seven Democrats running for the U.S. House seat currently held by Colleen Hanabusa, who is forgoing re-election to challenge U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz’s bid for a full term.

Jacce Mikulanec, chairman of the Equality Hawaii Action Fund, said Takai demonstrated “courage
and leadership” when he helped pass the marriage equality law during last fall’s special session of the Legislature.

Takai, a state representative (D, Halawa-Aiea-Newtown), had admitted to struggling with his position on same-sex marriage.

He announced his support for the marriage equality bill, which legalized same-sex marriage in Hawaii, just weeks before the special session. In 2011, Takai voted against a bill extending civil unions to same-sex couples.

"As an Army officer, Mark supported the repeal of don’t ask, don’t tell,’ and as a legislator he has worked to ensure our state laws reflect our aloha spirit," Mikulanec said.

Takai is a lieutenant colonel in the Hawaii Army National Guard and was deployed to Iraq in 2009.

Other Democrats seeking the 1st Congressional District seat include state Senate President Donna Mercado Kim; state Sen. Will Espero; Honolulu City Council members Ikaika Anderson, Stanley Chang and Joey Manahan; and community activist Kathryn Xian. Former Republican U.S. Rep. Charles Djou said he will also be seeking the seat.