Hawaii’s Congresswoman-elect Tulsi Gabbard, who was elected just last month, hasn’t even taken her seat in Congress yet, but she expressed her interest in another seat: that of the late Sen. Daniel Inouye, who served as the state’s senator since 1963. Inouye had said his preferred successor would be Rep. Colleen Hanabusa, but that decision is up to Gov. Neil Abercrombie, who might announce his decision as soon as this evening — and Gabbard is not among the finalists.
Hawaii Governor’s office tells CNN an announcement on choice to replace late Sen. Inouye expected this evening (eastern time)
— Vaughn Sterling (@vplus) December 26, 2012
BREAKING: Democrats choose Hanabusa, Kiaaina, Schatz as finalists for Inouye Senate seat. http://t.co/hGYLwKPC #HINews
— Hawaii News Now (@HawaiiNewsNow) December 26, 2012
Gabbard, a combat veteran who was deployed twice to the Middle East with the Army National Guard, earned some high-profile support in her bid from both Newark, N.J., Mayor Cory Booker and actor Kal Penn, both of whom spoke at the Democratic National Convention.
I hope that my friend Tulsi Gabbard gets appointment to Hawaii Senate seat. Here is a great HuffPo piece on it: http://t.co/HEkP59Z4
— Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) December 26, 2012
Penn, echoing Vice President Joe Biden in his endorsement of President Obama, even considers Gabbard his “homie who gets it.”
Imagine having a young Senator who gets it? My homie @TulsiGabbard, combat vet, 32, could be nominated! More here:http://t.co/OXb0cT1S
— Kal Penn (@kalpenn) December 26, 2012
Van Jones and others were also excited at the prospect of a Sen. Gabbard, with the word “young” popping up quite a bit.
If u want 2C female Iraq vet @TulsiGabbard in US Senate, sign & spread word. @hawaiidems meet in less than hour! http://t.co/eDonsWd3
— Van Jones (@VanJones68) December 26, 2012
Senate needs @TulsiGabbard, strong woman who brings the fresh insight of a young combat veteran into national politics: http://t.co/WESY4X0B
— Shalini Pammal (@ShaliniPammal) December 26, 2012
Would be great to see a young female #Iraq vet in the US Senate. Go @TulsiGabbard! http://t.co/QuwhtIwH
— Jordan Howard (@JayyH) December 26, 2012
@neilabercrombie I know some staffer reads these: You should appoint Gabbard. Build up Hawaii's chances for seniority with a young Senator.
— PLT (@pierreletrouver) December 26, 2012
@nickbaumann @Taniel Well, Schatz isn't bad, but Gabbard would be the clear "younger Senate" choice.
— Jonathan Bernstein (@jbview) December 26, 2012
@TulsiGabbard would be youngest sitting senator by a decade. RT @politico: @kalpenn backs his 'homie' Tulsi Gabbard: http://t.co/W2X7wRbP
— Rod Snyder (@RodSnyderWV) December 26, 2012
Despite the buzz, was Gabbard’s move for the senate seat too soon?
https://twitter.com/Underdad/status/284025227153924098
Even with Inouye’s senate seat apparently headed to someone else, Gabbard has established herself as someone to watch in the Democrat party.
So does Abercrombie name Hanabusa (very likely) or ruffle feathers w/ Gabbard (lots of buzz in last 24hrs), his #2, or shoot foot w/ Case?
— INACTIVE ACCOUNT (@mel_huang) December 26, 2012
Stay tuned.
Update:
Abercrombie has selected his lieutenant governor, Brian Schatz, to assume Sen. Inouye’s seat.
Gov. Neil Abercrombie has appointed Lt. Gov. Brian Schatz to fill the empty seat in the United States Senate. http://t.co/OhDtI5gg
— Hawaii News Now (@HawaiiNewsNow) December 27, 2012
Abercrombie says appointment of Schatz "is in the best interest of the party, the state of Hawaii, and the nation."
— Mike Memoli (@mikememoli) December 27, 2012
Schatz was elected chairman of the Democratic Party of Hawaii in 2008 and served a spokesman for Barack Obama’s campaign in Hawaii.
#HISen: Abercrombie picks Schatz for Senate. What's the backlash for not honoring Inouye's wish and picking Hanabusa? There will be some!
— Jennifer Duffy (@jennifereduffy) December 27, 2012
Gov chooses Schatz to fill Sen. Inouye's seat, going against the late Senator's wishes. Inouye's chief of staff says she's "disappointed"
— Yunji de Nies (@yunjid) December 27, 2012
Hanabusa statement: "I fully respect the process and the governor’s right to appoint a successor."
— Mike Memoli (@mikememoli) December 27, 2012
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