Six Democrats Apply For Ty Cullen’s House Seat
The lawmaker represented Royal Kunia, Village Park, Waipahu, Makakilo and West Loch before resigning for accepting bribes.
The Democratic Party of Hawaii says it has received six applications from members who have met all qualifications to fill the vacant House District 39 seat, which was previously held by Ty Cullen.
Cullen resigned last week after the news broke that he was charged with accepting bribes to kill legislation. He and former Senate Majority Leader J. Kalani English pleaded guilty earlier this week.
Here are the candidates:
- Luella Costales, the community and resource strategy manager for the Oahu Economic Development Board and previously served on the Honolulu Police Commission;
- Tesha Malama, the director of planning and development for HCDA in Kalaeloa and current president of the James Campbell High School and Community Foundation;
- Richard Oshiro, a longtime Waipahu Neighborhood Board member who has worked for the Queen鈥檚 Health Systems and at the Legislature;
- Inam Rahman, a medical doctor and past president of the Hawaii Medical Association;
- Corey Rosenlee, a social studies teacher at Campbell High School and former President of the Hawaii State Teachers Association; and
- Kevin Wilson, a staffer who has worked for eight sessions at the Hawaii State Legislature.
The Democratic Party will interview the candidates Sunday and later forward three names to Gov. David Ige for his consideration. He has until April 9 to make a decision.
