By George F. Lee, Star-bulletin
"Floor walker" Claire Motoda sits in the chamber of the
House of Representatives, which has been converted into the
precinct control center for today's general election.

Lawmakers
say they’ve got the
‘change’ message

When the dust settles today
there will be six new Senate members
and four new representatives
in the state House

By Craig Gima
Star-Bulletin

Even before the first election results are announced, state legislators say they are already hearing a message of change from voters.

The question still to be answered: what kind of change?

Today's election will bring at least six new senators and four new representatives to the Legislature. Democrats are expected to maintain their majority in both the House and Senate. But current House Speaker Joe Souki and Senate President Norman Mizuguchi could see new challenges to their leadership.

All 51 House seats and 12 of the 25 Senate seats will be decided today. For the first time in recent memory, all of the races are contested. In the past, some Democrats have faced no opposition in the general election.

Republicans say that's a victory in itself.

"We have said all along that fielding candidates in every race was our target," said state Republican Party Chairwoman Donna Alcantara.

GOP holds 12 House seats

The GOP currently holds 12 seats in the House. The two Republican senators are not up for re-election this year. Alcantara is hoping her party can increase its numbers in the House to 18, enough to prevent a veto override if Republican Linda Lingle is elected governor.

"I still feel that 18 is a very optimistic and worthwhile goal," she said.

But Democratic Party Chairman Walter Heen expects Republicans will fall far short of their goal and may even lose some seats.

"I don't think they're going to meet their hopeful goal of having enough Republicans around to override any vetoes," he said.

Both sides have targets

Heen believes Republican incumbents Paul Whalen, Mark Moses, Galen Fox, and Sam Aiona are vulnerable and that Democrat Sylvia Luke will win the seat Quentin Kawananakoa vacated in his aborted run for Congress.

Republicans meanwhile, have targeted Democratic incumbents Rod Tam and Randy Iwase in the Senate and a number of Democrats in the House including Lei Ahu Isa, Kenny Goodenow, David Tarnas, Merwyn Jones, David Stegmaier, Ron Menor, Alex Santiago, Brian Yamane, Ken Ito and Joe Souki.

Even if Souki wins re-election, he will likely face a challenge to his role as House speaker when Democrats convene after the election to select their leadership.

Rep. Ed Case (D, Manoa), who is also facing a tough battle against a Republican, is mentioned as a possible challenger. Case is allied with a group of Democrats who pushed for changes in the leadership when the House organized two years ago.

"I see this group as wanting to improve public confidence in government, primarily by becoming more inclusive in decision making, by getting away from business as usual," he said.

Souki said he expects to remain as House speaker.

Senate President Norman Mizuguchi, who is not up for re-election, has a 15-to-10 majority in the Senate. But there are six open seats that will be decided today.

Iwase heads dissidents

Iwase, leader of the dissident faction, believes "the winds of change are blowing through the Senate."

"No matter who is in charge, there needs to be more response to the public, particularly on economic issues," he said.

Senate Majority co-leaders Les Ihara and Mike McCartney believe Mizuguchi will remain as president. However, they believe it's likely there will be changes in the way the Senate operates.

They believe the new members of the Senate will interested in reforms to make the Senate more open and responsive.

Ihara notes that after this election, it's likely only three members -- Mizuguchi, Iwase, and Andrew Levin -- will have more than six years of experience in the Senate.

"In six years, virtually all of the Senate has changed," Ihara said.