A national Democratic source told Civil Beat this morning that Rep. Colleen Hanabusa informed the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee in Washington D.C. that she will be challenging Sen. Brian Schatz in next year’s special election.

The DSCC typically backs its incumbents and is endorsing Schatz, although it’s unclear how much money it will throw into a primary against another Democrat.  The DSCC generally focuses on races that determine control of the Senate.

Hanabusa spokespeople weren’t immediately available for comment. However other news organizations including Politico and Roll Call are also reporting the Hanabusa will make a run at Schatz’s seat.

Hanabusa had been the favored choice of the late Sen. Daniel Inouye but was passed over for the seat when Gov. Neil Abercrombie  picked Schatz to fill Inouye’s seat.

Roll Call, citing unnamed sources, said a formal announcement could come next week when Hanabusa and other members of the delegation are back in Hawaii for a regularly-scheduled home visit.

If she does run, Hanabusa would begin with a fundraising disadvantage. Schatz raised $1.1 million, but as Civil Beat calculated, about $300,000 of that can not be spent in a primary election because of campaign contribution limits. Hanabusa reported raising about $230,000 though she hasn’t begun raising money in earnest for a Senate campaign.

An internal Hanabusa poll obtained by Civil Beat found Hanabusa leading Schatz 54 percent to 32 percent. Hanabusa who is rumored to also be considering a run for governor, leads Gov. Neil Abercrombie 55 percent to 28 percent.

– Kery Murakami