Former Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann is running for Congress. After a failed run for Hawaii governor last year, Hannemann now seeks the Democratic nomination for Hawaii’s Second Congressional District. Congresswoman Mazie Hirono is vacating the post to run for U.S. Senate.  

In a statement on his website, Hannemann said he believes he has the “proven leadership and experience” to bring people together in a bipartisan way. 

“This decision to reenter the public arena did not come quickly or easily,” Hannemann wrote. “I enjoy my responsibilities as president and CEO of the Hawai‘i Hotel & Lodging Association as we work to strengthen our most important industry. At the same time, during my travels throughout the Hawaiian Islands, people have been urging me to ‘get back in the game’ and ‘return to public office.’”

City Council member Tulsi Gabbard is also running for the congressional seat. Former state Sen. Gary Hooser is fundraising to gauge possible support, and said he would be better positioned to make a decision about whether to run by the end of August. 

Read Civil Beat’s full story.