Rep. Mark Takai Of Hawaii Will Not Run For Re-Election
The first-term听congressman says that his pancreatic cancer has spread, but he promises to听serve out the remainder of his term.
Citing health concerns, U.S. Rep.听Mark Takai, the Democrat of Hawaii, announced Thursday that he will not seek re-election this year.
Takai’s office released听the听following statement:
鈥淚n life, we often make plans for ourselves. I had envisioned a long career in the U.S. House of Representatives, building up the seniority and influence that were key to Senator Inouye鈥檚 ability to deliver for Hawaii. But as often happens, we find ourselves on a different journey than what we had planned. 鈥淲hen I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last year, my family and I resolved to fight it head-on and with deep personal faith. Today, we find ourselves at a crossroads. I had truly hoped to aggressively fight this cancer while seeking re-election, but I recently learned that my cancer has spread. 鈥淧utting Hawaii and its people first means that I must regretfully withdraw from my 2016 re-election race for Congress and suspend my campaign. Right now, for the sake of my family, I need to focus on getting better rather than getting re-elected.鈥
Takai said he听intends to serve out the remainder of his听term in Congress, which ends in early January 2017.
He thanked his听family, friends and supporters “for their unwavering love and support.”
Takai’s office said in Thursday’s press release, “At this time, Congressman Takai asks for continued respect of our family鈥檚 privacy as we move forward with treatment.”
Support From Colleagues
Statements from his Democratic colleagues in Washington, D.C., were issued within minutes of the announcement.
鈥淚 will miss him in this arena as a strong partner on issues we both care deeply about, and will continue to do so through the rest of his term,” said U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono.听鈥淚 have affectionately called Mark my younger brother for many years and I wish Mark and his family all the best.”
“He is a great teammate and has served the people of Hawai鈥榠 with integrity and aloha,” said U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz. “I know this was a difficult decision, and my thoughts and prayers are with him and his family.鈥
鈥淢ark is a dear friend and colleague, and my prayers are with him and his family during this difficult time,” said Rep. Tulsi Gabbard. “We鈥檝e served together over the years in many capacities 鈥 as colleagues in the Hawaii State House, as Soldiers in the Hawaii Army National Guard, and now in Congress. Mark has a servant鈥檚 heart and has dedicated his life to working for the people of Hawaii.鈥
In the islands, praise and condolences also quickly emerged.
“I need to focus on getting better rather than getting re-elected.”鈥擱ep. Mark Takai
鈥淔or many years Mark has wholeheartedly served the people of Hawaii, and our communities are better off because of his tireless efforts,” said Gov. David Ige, who is on the mainland this week for a听daughter’s graduation. “I thank him for his military service to our nation, his skilled representation of his constituents in Congress, and his advocacy on behalf of Aiea/Pearl City residents at the State Legislature.”
“My heartfelt thoughts are with Congressman Mark Takai as he continues his courageous battle with cancer and I wish him a full, healthy recovery,” said Lt. Gov. Shan Tsutsui. “Although I鈥檓 sorry to hear that Mark will not be seeking another term of office, I understand first and foremost that his health and well-being are his top priority.”
. has dedicated his life to serving . My prayers are with him & his family
鈥 Tulsi Gabbard (@TulsiGabbard)
Said House Speaker Joe Souki, 鈥淚 first met Mark when he was the student body president of UH Manoa.听I was the Chairman of the House Finance Committee and he came in all the time to lobby for a new basketball arena.听He was very persistent and very competitive.听When he came to the Legislature he brought that same kind of persistence and competitive spirit and for 20 years worked tirelessly for his constituents and the people of Hawaii.”
Early Diagnosis Of Cancer
The first-term congressman, 48, announced in November that he had pancreatic cancer.
“All tests show that the tumor is small and isolated,” he said at that time.
He soon began treatment and, with the consent of his medical doctor, said in February that he would seek a second term.
While has decided not seek re-election, he inspires us to strive fwd to for a cure.
鈥 Nancy Pelosi (@NancyPelosi)
鈥淗e said, 鈥楪o for it, you should definitely run for re-election.鈥 So, they have cleared me for that,” Takai said.
But Takai faces a difficult fight.
The at the 听says that incidences of carcinoma of the pancreas have听significantly increased听in recent decades, making it the fourth-leading cause of death from cancer in the听country.
Takai’s听illness has led to a number of missed votes in the U.S. House of Representatives, including several on the day of the announcement that he would not run.
Beat Large Field In 2014
Takai is a lieutenant colonel in the Hawaii Army National Guard and took part in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
A former student president and newspaper editor at the University听of Hawaii at Manoa, he was elected听to the听state House of Representatives at the age of 27 in 1994, and served there for 20 years. He represented the Aiea-Pearl City area on听Oahu.
Takai defeated six other Democrats in the primary two years ago to fill the seat held by听Colleen Hanabusa, who unsuccessfully challenged U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz.
He then defeated Republican Charles Djou, a former congressman, in the general election.
Takai has focused on听veterans issues, the U.S. military, national security and small business while in office.
Congressional seats听from Hawaii don’t often open, and the announcement that he will not run is certain to set off a scramble to replace him in Congress.
There is not much time, however, as the听deadline to file to run is June 7.
Takai’s departure and speculation over his successor is bound to be a major topic of discussion at the ‘s state convention in Waikiki over Memorial Day weekend.
Meanwhile, the Hawaii Republican Party’s convention is Saturday on Oahu.
