Representative Colleen Hanabusa and Senator Brian Schatz appeared in their first televised debate in the race to finish out the remainder of late Senator Daniel Inouye’s term, reports KITV.
The two immediately addressed the hot topic of the campaign, Inouye’s wish that Hanabusa replace him and Governor Abercrombie’s decision to appoint Schatz, his former Lieutenant Governor instead.
“To have the Senator’s endorsement and even Sen. Akaka’s endorsement as well, along with Gov. Ariyoshi and Gov. Cayetano, is something I will always cherish. I will always have in my heart as an indication of how they view me,” said Hanabusa.
But Schatz said Inouye’s legacy is important to him as well.
“He built modern Hawaii. He built the East West Center. He built our transportation infrastructure. He understood that it was necessary to look out for regular people and working families and middle-class families. My approach to being the United States Senate is to try and continue his legacy,” said Schatz.
You can hear the candidate’s thoughts on Hawaiian resident Edward Snowden and a political analysts thoughts on how each candidate did in the debate on KITV
