Republican state Senate candidate JoAnne Georgi on Monday challenged incumbent Democrat Gary Hooser to a public debate. “I want to hold him accountable for his decisions and his voting record,” she said. The current Senate majority leader agreed to the
Republican state Senate candidate JoAnne Georgi on Monday challenged incumbent Democrat Gary Hooser to a public debate.
“I want to hold him accountable for his decisions and his voting record,” she said.
The current Senate majority leader agreed to the contest, in principle, but the logistics remain undetermined.
“I’d be happy to debate her,” Hooser said. “It’s good for people to see how we’re different.”
The lopsided battle for the 7th District seat, a post Hooser has held since 2002, is the only contested state Legislature race that Kaua‘i voters will decide at the Nov. 4 general election.
The two candidates are split on several issues.
Georgi, 66, said she opposes domestic partnerships and supports genetically modified organisms, local school boards and Hawaii Superferry, a controversial interisland catamaran that has not resumed service to the Garden Isle since protesters turned it away in August 2007.
“It’s just as bad now as it was four, eight, 10 years ago,” she said. “There’s been no meaningful reform.”
Hooser, 54, of Kapa‘a, supports the development of alternative, renewable energy options, increasing teacher pay and keeping Hawai‘i Health System Corporation strong.
The difference between he and Georgi starts at the partisan level, he said.
“She supports the policies of George Bush and John McCain and I support the policies of Barack Obama,” Hooser said.
It is Georgi’s first time running for the 7th District, which covers Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau. Last election, the Port Allen resident ran for the state House 16th District seat but lost to Roland Sagum.
“I was going to run against Roland again, but he’s someone who’s open and someone who I can work with,” she said.
Georgi said it is time for residents to see a clearer picture of the candidates they elect and reelect.
“I ask people why they support Gary Hooser and they look at me like a deer in the headlights,” she said. “People need to sit down and talk. Respect each other’s opinions and we’ll decide based on a majority of what people want.”
For more information, visit www.garyhooser.com or joannegeorgi2008.com
• Nathan Eagle, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 224) or neagle@kauaipubco.com
