Tongues are already wagging in anticipation of bloody 2014 election battles for both Sen. Brian Schatz and the man who appointed him, Gov. Neil Abercrombie.

Roll Call reports that both are vulnerable, especially after the governor went against many local Democrats by picking his own choice to replace the late Sen. Dan Inouye over the senator’s own hand-picked successor. 

Roll Call reports:

Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie’s decision last month to appoint Brian Schatz to the Senate could unfurl divisive Democratic primaries for the seats of both men in 2014, including from within the congressional delegation. …

“There is buzz that folks are going to get primaried, there’s no question about that,” a Hawaii Democratic source said. “But as of now, it’s just a rumor.” …

A source close to Hanabusa said the second-term Democrat has been encouraged to challenge Schatz in the special election next year. The source called it an attractive race for any qualified candidate but said that most will likely await Hanabusa’s decision, which could come within six months.

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