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“Although it’s important that our country has a balanced budget, it’s vital for me to do my job in obtaining the funding needed to support our public schools, housing, medical, transportation and infrastructure. Hawaii’s needs come first.”

“Hawaiian independence is a justifiable alternative consistent with the  1978  constitutional convention’s OHA mandate to ‘facilitate the process of self-determination leading to self-governance.'”

“Because our district is comprised, really, of two economies — the agricultural economy of Hamakua to the north and the urban economy of Hilo to the south — we need to revitalize each.”

“Right now we have low voter turnout so having policy determined by a few people could lead to special interest regulations. I like the legislative process, which allows vetting of ideas and solutions.”

The Big Island senator garners lots of support from fans of former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders.

Open seats provide opportunities, while a longtime legislator is challenging to get his state Senate post back.

Gov. David Ige, after trailing Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa in a May poll, now leads by 9 percentage points among likely primary voters.

Voters contacted by Civil Beat say the recent barrage of negative ads are mostly annoying — and haven’t changed their minds.

“Hawaii should have a dedicated funding source for our public education system. One of my top priorities is investing in Hawaii’s future through its children, and there is no doubt that our kids deserve more.”

“Instead of increasing taxes, I’d like to see government run in a more efficient manner. People have lost faith in government because no one is willing to be accountable.”