Linda Lingle Announces Her Run at the Senate Seat

Former Hawaii Governor Linda Lingle announced yesterday that she will indeed run for the senate seat that is being vacated by Daniel Akaka. Lingle – who was the first woman and first Republican to be elected Governor in Hawaii in four decades, gives the GOP a genuine prospect in a state traditionally dominated by Democrats.

The announcement that Lingle will run for the seat also shines a spotlight on Hawaii nationally as far as politics goes, as this opens up a new outlook for the struggle of control in Washington between the Democrats and Republicans, otherwise known as dumb and dumber. Senate Democrats and independents have a 53-to-47 majority over Republicans, so four seats can swing the balance of power.

Even with the announcement that Lingle will run, and even with the power – both locally and nationally, she brings, U.S. Rep. Mazie Hirono and Ed Case, a former congressman, the Democrats – who want to replace U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka, D-Hawaii, who is not seeking another term, remain favored. A Republican has not represented Hawaii in the Senate since U.S. Sen. Hiram Fong retired from office in 1977. So Linda Lingle definitely has an uphill battle in front of her.

Linda Lingle has set a fundraising goal of $8 million to $10 million, which is a much higher amount than Hirono or Case. Many analysts believe millions more will also be spent in the islands by national interests that want to influence the outcome of a Senate campaign in President Barack Obama’s birthplace.

The race could actually get very interesting. There is still a lot of support for President Obama in Hawaii, however, some of his most recent decisions have come under question. The fact that his “jobs plan” took a severe beating and his healthcare plan is not much better, even his home state is starting to question whether or not he will even be elected into a second term.

That aside, Lingle brings experience and power to the race. Something that may benefit Hawaii, whether you are a democrat or republican. Lingle sitting in the seat could mean good things. However, Mazie Hirono is no slouch, and bring s quite a bit of experience herself. Ed Case seems to be the odd man out here, but you never know.

The race should be one of the more interesting political races that Hawaii has seen in some time. Hirono has a lot of support, but so does Lingle. Lets sit back and see how this plays out.