HONOLULU (AP) - Candidates running in a closely watched Democratic primary race for the U.S. Senate checked their tone in a forum on Hawaii’s Big Island.
U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz said Wednesday night that he will not go negative in the campaign. But U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa came across as ready to fight.
Schatz was put on the spot by moderator Sherry Bracken, public affairs director of Mahalo Broadcasting, who asked why he hired to his campaign Andy Winer, a Democratic strategist who was accused of being part of a negative campaign smear against former Gov. Ben Cayetano.
Schatz said he hired Winer because he was the most qualified person for the job, and that he will not let the same kind of thing happen in this campaign.
“I set the standards in my campaign. I set the tone,” Schatz said. “We are happy warriors, we are talking about the issues, we are respectful of our opponent.”
But Hanabusa made subtle pokes at Schatz. She said the truest test of one’s skills comes when they are in the minority, and she serves in the minority in the U.S. House. By contrast, Schatz serves in the Senate, where Democrats are in the majority.
“It’s harder in the House, but it should be easier when your part of the majority,” Hanabusa said.
Hanabusa also said the best way to reveal difference between the candidates is to compare their records, because they were vote into office the same year.
“Our political age is the same,” Hanabusa said. Gov. Neil Abercrombie had made age an issue in the campaign, saying he appointed Schatz to the Senate after the late Sen. Daniel Inouye died in part because Schatz, who is younger than Hanabusa, would have more time to build seniority.
Schatz said his record on protecting Social Security is better than Hanabusa’s, and he pointed to her 2013 vote on a failed amendment that would have undermined Social Security benefits.
“Unfortunately Colleen, you voted for this amendment,” Schatz said. “I know you have your explanation for it, but the fact is this was a bad vote, and I think the people of Hawaii deserve an explanation.”
Schatz has been pushing for the removal of a cap on how much of an individual’s income can be taxed to fund social security. He pointed to his endorsement by the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, which in a previous election endorsed Hanabusa.
“They endorsed me because of your vote on this issue, and my record,” Schatz said.
Hanabusa said she has always been a strong advocate of Social Security and she also supports raising or eliminating the cap, like many other Democrats. She said bills evolve over time, and things are added and taken out.
“It is unfair and really uncalled for to be able to take an issue that I feel is out there to scare our kupunas (elders), when our kupuna know that Social Security is something that is dear to every Democrat’s heart, and we will all fight for Social Security,” Hanabusa said.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.