Though it bills itself as a “private, independent, non-partisan political action affiliate” of Smart Business Hawaii, Paychecks Hawaii sure likes Republican candidates for office.

In fact, it has endorsed dozens of them running in the general election — including state Sen. Sam Slom, president of Smart Business Hawaii.

Of the 33 candidates on Paychecks Hawaii’s endorsement list, which was released this week, only Donovan Dela Cruz (spelled “Delacruz” on the list) in the Senate District 22 race and District 19 state Sen. Mike Gabbard are Democrats.

Gabbard used to be a Republican, while Dela Cruz currently sits on the nonpartisan Honolulu City Council.

There were many Republicans in races for the Legislature that did not get Slom’s blessing. Sorry, Isaiah Kauka Sabey! Maybe next time, Greg Cuadra!

But all six Republican incumbents were endorsed, including Reps. Gene Ward, Cynthia Thielen and Barbara Marumoto — who aren’t actually on the Nov. 2 ballot because they had no opponent and were automatically re-elected in the Sept. 18 primary.

Ward, Thielen and Marumoto are also — surprise! — members of Smart Business Hawaii, as are three other of the endorsed candidates.

Also getting Slom’s endorsement is governor candidate Duke Aiona, even though Slom endorsed Aiona’s primary opponent John Carroll. Aiona’s running mate, Lynn Finnegan, the House minority leader who is leaving the Legislature in her quest to be elected lieutenant governor, was also endorsed.

“Clip and save this list,” reads Slom’s press release. “These candidates offer the best chance for an improved Hawaii business climate and reduced taxes and employer mandates.”

You can also find the endorsements in the October edition of the Small Business News newsletter, whose editor and publisher is — surprise! — Sam Slom.

As of Thursday Slom’s endorsements had yet to be posted on Hawaii Reporter, but that could change.

Hawaii Reporter is edited by Malia Zimmerman, who is also managing editor of — surprise! — Small Business News. On Thursday, Hawaii Reporter ran ads for Smart Business Hawaii (formerly called Small Business Hawaii) and — surprise! — Sam Slom. (“Senator Slom is the only legislator who has voted against every tax increase. Find out More. www.samslom.com.”)

When you check out www.samslom.com, by the way, you will find an Oct. 14 posting written by — surprise! — Slom: “I’ll be celebrating Hawaii Reporter’s 9th anniversary this Friday and I hope you’ll join me. HR is Hawaii’s only award winning, daily online news source who is never afraid to tell it like it is.”

Surprised?