Biden Gets Backing Of Dozens Of Well-Known Hawaii Democrats
They include the House speaker and Senate president as deadlines for the party-run presidential primary near.
The Hawaii for Biden campaign on Friday announced the support of 42 past and present local officials.
Among those backing Joe Biden, the former vice president, for president in 2020 are Senate President Ron Kouchi, Senate Vice President Michelle Kidani, Senate Ways and Means Chair Donovan Dela Cruz, House Speaker Scott Saiki, House Majority Leader Della Au Belatti and House Finance Chair Sylvia Luke.
Former Lt. Govs. Doug Chin and Shan Tsutsui have endorsed Biden, as well as former U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa.
All are Democrats, as are most elected officials in Hawaii.
The list includes other state legislators past and present, and several county council members.
Previously, former Hawaii Govs. George Ariyoshi, John Waihee, Ben Cayetano and Neil Abercrombie indicated their support.
U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, who endorsed Biden after dropping out of the race last week, was not on the list. There was also no mention of the other three members of Hawaii’s federal delegation.
The Democratic Party of Hawaii canceled its presidential primary walk-in voting that was scheduled for Saturday, April 4, because of the coronavirus.
However, the party is still conducting a mail-in vote process.
The deadline to register to vote in Hawaii and to become a member of the Democratic Party of Hawaii — both are requirements to vote in the local presidential primary — is the end of day Saturday, April 4.
According to Interim Party Chair Kate Stanley, ballots must be received back by May 22 in order for them to be tallied on May 23, when the results will be announced. Click here .
Biden and U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders are on the Hawaii ballot, along with eight other candidates that are no longer in the race.
Many other states have postponed or rescheduled their presidential primaries and caucuses because of COVID-19.
