Irene Hirano Inouye, the widow of late Sen. Daniel Inouye (D-HI), endorsed Rep. Colleen Hanabusa (D-HI) in next year’s Senate race over current Sen. Brian Schatz, who was appointed by Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie after Inouye’s death.
“Shortly after she was elected president of the Hawaii State Senate, Dan recognized that Colleen was more than capable of succeeding him and he began to mentor her,” she said, according to Politico. “His last wish was that Colleen serve out his term because he was confident in her ability to step into the Senate and immediately help Hawaii. I am honoring one of his last requests, and look forward to supporting Colleen on the campaign trail.”
Hanabusa officially announced her intent to run for the seat on Thursday. Schatz carries the endorsement of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, however.
