I've been a Democrat for 45 years, but this year I'm voting for Simon Russell for state representative, District 13. Here's why:
First, Russell is honest, energetic and well-informed. He understands that the scenic, affordable Hawaii that natives and tourists both love is quickly slipping away in a rush of mindless development. Russell will defend working families, taxpayers and the environment.
Second, Russell is a creative, liberal Republican like Rep. Cynthia Thielen and Sen. Sam Slom. Hawaii desperately needs a stronger opposition party to check and balance the Democrat monopoly.
Third, while the incumbent, Mele Carroll, is well-liked, she has been absent for many votes and largely unavailable to remote constituents. Because it takes in four islands, our district is the hardest to serve. Because we can't all fly back and forth to Honolulu, we need a representative who comes to us. Like the signs say, "Russell will hustle."
Larry Tool
Kaunakakai
