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Could this be a watershed year for elections? If the sense of restlessness and discontent with entrenched politicians is any indication, as expressed by respondents to a recent MidWeek <\/em>candidates survey, there could be some surprises.<\/p>\n The voices of empowerment are coming from non-incumbents who are placing themselves on the ballot to give voters a choice in the upcoming election. True, their noble commitment to public service still prevails. But witnessing the community’s hard times marked by joblessness, homelessness and hopelessness, Oahu’s non-incumbent and first-time candidates are on ballots to make a statement for change.<\/p>\n Incumbents – current office-holders – should not take their challengers lightly. Not this year.<\/p>\n With the impact of redistricting and the influence of electronic campaigning, particularly social media, nothing’s a given any more. Considering the overwhelming advantages an incumbent has, can merely the audacity of hope be enough of a campaign strategy?<\/p>\n To find out, MidWeek <\/em>takes a look at the non-incumbents – or underdogs, if you will – running for the legislature from Oahu. This is Oahu only, based on communications with and data on non-incumbent candidates for the State Senate and House of Representatives.<\/p>\n Our Voters’ Guide profiles 56 non-incumbent candidates, who responded to an online questionnaire. It is presented as a public service based on MidWeek<\/em>‘s view that name recognition decides too many races and campaign money tends to run uphill.<\/p>\n Here’s the Oahu legislative race landscape, by our calculations.<\/p>\n * 52 total districts\/seats (17 Senate, 35 House). Traditionally and historically, incumbents have decided advantages over challengers in elections. The non-incumbent often has lower name recognition, meager campaign resources, and less experience in running for public office.<\/p>\n But could this be the year in which the incumbency factor leads to the downfall of office-holders? Anti-incumbency backlash occurs when there is a perception of a politician’s poor performance or abuse of power.<\/p>\n Kimberly Case, House District 24 (Moiliili-Makiki-Tantalus) candidate, says, “After watching the infighting in the Legislature the last two years … it is time for all incumbents to be replaced with hard-working go-getters who put the people’s needs ahead of their own egos.”<\/p>\n Matt LoPresti, running in House District 41 (Ewa Beach-West Loch Estates), laments, “Last session there were many bills introduced to dismantle environmental review and community input; these bills were proposed with the false claim that it would help to create jobs. When I learned that my opponent for the primary was one of the lawmakers who backed gutting these protections, I was instantly motivated to work against her re-election.”<\/p>\n Major issues raised by non-incumbents in our survey are quality of life, government reform, economy and education.<\/p>\n Quality of life addresses their concerns about homelessness, elderly care\/services, cost of living, public safety, health care, infrastructure, transportation and the environment.<\/p>\n Government reform, not surprisingly, is a loud hue and cry on present decision-making processes, taxing policies, budget deficits, accountability\/transparency, and term limits.<\/p>\n Given the edge most incumbents have, what are the best tactics for success?<\/p>\n MidWeek <\/em>political columnist-analyst Dan Boylan answers: “It’s always the same ball game. You need to walk-and-wave. Some say you have to walk a district three times in the course of the campaign. If you’ve got money to do a mailer, send them out early to reach the absentee ballot voters, then space them out during the campaign.<\/p>\n “But you’ve got to walk-and-wave. It’s stupid, looks stupid, tells the voters absolutely nothing about your stand on issues, but it demonstrates that you really want the job!”<\/p>\n There it is in a nutshell. Primary 2012 is imminent; so do your homework. And if there is a trace of anti-incumbency fever out there, use our Voters’ Guide to Non-Incumbents to make an informed choice.<\/p>\n But vote!<\/p>\n A final note: Candidate questionnaires have been lightly edited, mostly for spelling, but it was our goal to let the voice of each candidate be authentic.<\/p>\n * Primary absentee application by: Aug. 4
\n* 48 incumbents, 74 non-incumbents
\n* six open seats (no incumbents)
\n* 10 former legislators attempting comeback
\n* Age range: 24-80
\n* Gender: 37 males, 21 females
\n* Education: High school to advanced degree graduates
\n* Party: 35 Republicans, 35 Democrats, one Green, one Nonpartisan
\n* Curiously, 10 candidates declined the opportunity to directly address MidWeek<\/em>‘s half-million readers, including the lone Green and Nonaffiliated candidates.<\/p>\nELECTION DATES AND VOTER DEADLINES<\/strong><\/h1>\n
\n* Primary Election: Aug. 11
\n* General election registration deadline: Oct. 8
\n* General absentee application by: Oct. 30
\n* General election: Nov. 6
\n* For more information, go to Hawaii.gov\/elections<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n