District 10 – David Farrell (D)

Full Name: David Farrell

Name on Ballot: David Farrell

Age: 45

Political Party: Democrat

Running For: State Senate

District: 10

Email Address: farrellforhawaii@gmail.com

Current Job: Logistics

Place of birth: Las Vegas, NV

Campaign website: farrellforhawaii.org

Job history past 10 years:

I currently work in logistics for an international freight forwarding company.

Before that I was the customer service manager for a packaging company.

Ever run for public office? If so, when? Outcome?

This is my first election. I am a citizen who grew tired of waiting for the politicians to do something about the major issues facing our state.

Other civic experience or community service?

I am currently the House District 20, Precinct 3 president. I served on both of the Democratic Party’s county and state platform committees.

Anything else you’d like voters to know about you?

I am running for office because their are major issues facing our state that are very fixable and not being addressed.

What makes you qualified to be a state senator?

I have over 20 years experience in communications. I have worked as a successful manager and public speaker. In the course of my career I have developed a talent for problem solving and team building.

Gov. Ige says he will once again propose increases to the state gas tax, vehicle weight tax and state registration fees to help pay for state road projects. Do you support his proposal?

Most of our states issues, this included, revolve around the fact that we have wages that are too low which results in a lower tax base. We should shift our focus to remedying the central issue of wages and stop looking for more areas to spread the burden.

If the Legislature is again asked to extend Oahu’s half-percent excise tax surcharge to finance construction or operation of the rail system, would you support such an extension?

Because of the current state of the rail, our job now is to make sure that this piece of public transportation is completed in a way that serves the public. We don’t want a train to nowhere. From here forward we should complete the project while demanding fiscal accountability.

Should the state play a role in cracking down on illegal vacation rentals in Hawaii?

Yes, we need to do something about illegal rentals that are driving up property values. Residents are getting priced out of the housing market. We also have to be careful of unintended consequences. There have been already been numerous bills proposed attempting to tackle this issue from many different angles.

Should the Legislature require that police officers in Hawaii use “body cameras,” and help to fund the use of those cameras?

Yes, we entrust our police with both a heavy responsibility and great deal of authority. We should be using all tools available to protect the integrity of both.

Dozens of police officers in Hawaii are disciplined each year for committing crimes or violating departmental policies, but little information is released about the officers or their cases. Do you think there needs to be greater public disclosure?

Yes, because transparency and accountability not only protects citizens, it also protects the integrity of our police. I would rather have a police force that strives for infallibility and fails than a police force that strives for the appearance of infallibility and succeeds.