Democratic Congresswoman Mazie Hirono has compiled a fascinating and diverse coalition in her bid for Hawai`i's open U.S. Senate seat.
One of her earliest endorsers was the pro-peace Council for a Livable World, which summarized some of Hirono's credentials:
She has scored an average of 88% on the Council for a Livable World’s PeacePAC voting record. She supported legislation to end the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, opposed increased nuclear weapons funding, rejected efforts to cut United Nations funding, and was in the perceptive minority that opposed the U.S.-India nuclear deal.
To win the Akaka seat, Hirono will first have to overcome a primary challenge from former Rep. Ed Case. Case is a conservative blue dog Democrat who will be running to Hirono’s right. In the 2005-6 PeacePAC voting record, Case received a 41% rating.
The Aloha State's labor community is nearly united in supporting her, including both
private-sector and
public-sector unions and the
Hawai`i State AFL-CIO.
On the national scene, almost all major women's rights and women's health groups are on Team Mazie, including EMILY's List, the National Organization for Women, the National Women's Political Caucus, and Planned Parenthood. A number of civil rights groups are also on board, including America's Opportunity Fund and the Asian American Action Fund. Hirono would be the first Asian-American U.S. Senator. Indeed, she would be just the second woman of color elected to the Senate.
The most recent additions to the coalition are from the environmental community, including the Sierra Club's Hawai`i chapter and Ocean Champions. Here's what the latter group had to say on its blog last month:
Congresswoman Hirono knows that clean water, healthy beaches, sustainable fisheries and thriving coral reefs are not just important on Earth Day; they’re a part of Hawaii’s cultural heritage and are necessary for a healthy state economy.
As a member of the House of Representatives, Congresswoman Hirono has cosponsored legislation to prevent expanded offshore drilling, clean up ocean garbage, and protect coral reefs. She supports implementation of the National Ocean Policy and cosponsored its legislative precursor, Oceans-21, because she knows that improved ocean governance is needed to protect, maintain and restore ocean and coastal resources for the future. Congresswoman Hirono is also active in the House Ocean Caucus, and the Congressional Marine Sanctuary Caucus, demonstrating an ability to work across the aisle to find common ground on important issues.
As the Congresswoman noted, “For hundreds of years, Native Hawaiians relied upon the Pacific Ocean to develop a sustainable way of life. Unfortunately, Hawaii has strayed from this wise use of our ocean resources, and we have become too dependent on other countries and the mainland for our food and our energy. Like Ocean Champions, I am committed to a more sustainable and secure Hawaii future that supports our local fishing industry and wisely invests in home-grown energy sources including ocean energy, biofuels and wind. I welcome the endorsement of an esteemed group like Ocean Champions, which clearly understands the importance of sustainable ocean ecosystems that promote the well-being of the people of Hawaii and reduce our dependence on foreign countries.”
In addition to her strong track record, the Congresswoman is a very effective legislator, and we’re confident that she’ll rise quickly in the Senate to provide the leadership needed to protect clean coastal water, thriving fisheries and healthy coral reefs.
Learn more about
#teammazie on Hirono's
website - and don't forget to say hello to her in Providence
next month.
Aloha and mahalo.