Rep. Mazie Hirono says she is “confident” that her Senate campaign can raise the money it needs to defeat former Gov. Linda Lingle (though Hirono will first have to face fellow Democrat Ed Case in an August primary). 

The congresswoman did not indicate how much money she believes her campaign will have to raise. Lingle has said she aims to raise $8 million – $10 million. 

“I’m going to raise the money I need to be competitive and to win this race,” Hirono said in a conference call with Hawaii reporters on Friday afternoon. “As far as her entering the race, I welcome her entry. But she’s never run for a federal office before, she’s never run for a federal office during a presidential (election) year. I’ve run in 14 elections, the last three for federal office, so I’m ready to win.”

Hirono also said she believes voters were “disappointed” with Lingle’s performance as governor. Lingle defeated Hirono in Hawaii’s 2002 gubernatorial election.