Twenty-one potential candidates for Kaua’i’s September’s primary election have already pulled papers for state and county offices. Two possible candidates, current council vice chair Randal Valenciano, and Lawa’i small businessman John Hoff, have pulled papers for two races. And current
Twenty-one potential candidates for Kaua’i’s September’s primary election have already pulled papers for state and county offices.
Two possible candidates, current council vice chair Randal Valenciano, and Lawa’i small businessman John Hoff, have pulled papers for two races.
And current council chair Ron Kouchi and council member Bryan Baptiste have announced for mayor although they haven’t pulled their papers yet. (Current mayor Maryanne Kusaka has served her two terms and cannot run again).
A Hoff for Council car sign has been spotted, but Hoff also pulled papers for state representative, District 16 (West Side).
Valenciano pulled council papers and papers for mayor.
Other candidates who have pulled papers for council include: Current council member Daryl Kaneshiro, current council member Jimmy Tokioka, John Barretto, who ran ninth, just off the top seven elected in the 2000 council race; perennial candidate Bob Cariffe; Rhoda Libre, who finished 10th, just behind Barretto last election, Anne Punoho (formerly Donovan) who ran out of the money in 2000; 1998 near-winner Mel Rapozo, and first-time council candidates Scott Sagum, Robert Measel Jr., Paul Lucas, George Menor and Ray Paler.
Dennis Nimkie has pulled papers for this year’s mayoral race.
And Alfred Sarmento has pulled papers for state representative in the 16th District, along with John Hoff.
So far, only Juan Lugo of Lihu’e, has pulled papers for state representative in district 15.
Incumbent Hermina Morita, Hanalei and challenger Nelson Secretario of Kapa’a have pulled papers for the 14th District.
Incumbent Jonathan Chun of Lihu’e, and current council member Gary Hooser, of Kapa’a, are so far the only two candidates to pull papers for the state senate, District 7 – Kaua’i’s sole district since everything was redrawn statewide last year.
But candidates for all these offices have until July 23 to pull and then file papers and even more candidates (for all the races) are expected.
