Aloha,
The initial numbers are in for Hawai`i's 2012 U.S. Senate race, and it's clear that Congresswoman Mazie Hirono has generated a lot of momentum in the first weeks of her campaign.
Mazie's campaign has $545,000 cash on hand. That's more than twice what the only other announced candidate's campaign has.
Mazie is also the only candidate who has earned announced endorsements (EMILY's List, Laborers Union Local 368, and Association of Professional Flight Attendants). She's putting together a diverse coalition, which will likely soon formally include environmental organizations, civil rights groups, progressive business leaders, and more labor unions.
She also has the highest favorability ratings among announced and potential candidates.
Please follow me below for this week's campaign update from Hawai`i's leading online news source (Civil Beat), a statement from Mazie, and links to Mazie's Facebook page and Twitter feed.
Campaign update from Civil Beat:
http://www.civilbeat.com/...
Hirono raised $281,000 in the quarter that ended June 30 — a healthy haul for a campaign that began only five weeks ago . . . Hirono also reports having $545,000 in cash on hand.
. . .
While they are early numbers, the fundraising reports are good news for Hirono . . .
. . .
Money attracts money, after all. The 2012 Democratic primary is just a year from this August, having been moved up from September to comply with federal law on absentee voting.
Statement from Mazie:
http://mazieforhawaii.com
I am so proud and humbled by this strong outpouring of grassroots support. Close to 200 new donors have joined our campaign within the last few weeks because they want a U.S. Senator who's going to continue the fight to improve our schools, for energy independence, and to get our economy back on track. We know this campaign won't be easy, so we're going to keep building a strong grassroots organization throughout Hawaii.
Mazie's Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/...
Mazie's Twitter feed:
http://twitter.com/...
This is going to be an important and historic - and fun - campaign.
I hope you'll consider lending support in whatever ways you can.
Mahalo!