Lingle seeks public input on candidates to temporarily fill two vacant Senate seats

HONOLULU—Gov. Linda Lingle today released the names of candidates provided to her by the Democratic Party of Hawaii to fill two vacant State Senate seats that were created by the resignation of Robert Bunda (Senate District 22) and Gary Hooser (Senate District 7) last month.

According to a law passed by the Legislature in 2006, the governor must select a replacement for each vacant seat from a list of three prospective candidates submitted by the same political party as the prior incumbent. 

The three names submitted by the Democratic Party to fill the vacant Senate District 22 (Mililani Mauka, Wahiawa, Haleiwa, Mokuleia, North Shore) seat are: Laura Figueira, John Kampfer, and Lei Learmont.

The three names submitted by the Democratic Party to fill the vacant Senate District 7 (Kauai and Niihau) seat are: Ronald Kouchi, Barbara Robeson, and Sandra Wright.

Lingle is seeking public comments on the six candidates. Public comments may be sent via e-mail to [email protected] or by fax at (808) 586-0006. All comments should be submitted by the close of business on August 25.

The individuals appointed by the Governor will serve on a temporary basis until State Senators for the two vacant seats are elected in November’s General Election.