Abercrombie picks Schatz to replace Inouye in U.S. Senate

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The governor's choice is a rejection of the senator's 'last wish' to have Hanabusa replace him

Derrick DePledge
Gov. Neil Abercrombie today selected Lt. Gov. Brian Schatz to replace the late U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye in the Senate.

Schatz, 40, said he will fly to Washington tonight and be sworn in Thursday so he can participate in Senate votes to avert a fiscal cliff of federal tax increases and spending cuts scheduled to take effect in January. A White House news pool report said Schatz will fly to Washington on Air Force One with President Barack Obama, who is cutting his annual Oahu vacation short to work on the "fiscal cliff" and other issues when Congress returns Thursday.

Schatz said he is "humbled" and "honored" by the opportunity. He said the first thing he would do is reach out to the rest of the delegation to establish Hawaii's game plan for the coming Congress.

Schatz said he would also reach out to U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., and to the White House on the pressing issues now before Congress. "I am honored to serve in this capacity. ... If given the opportunity, I'll make Hawaii proud," Schatz said.


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We lucked out on this one. I know people feel we should have honored Inouye's instructions but it would have left us much weaker, and Brian is a strong, independant, serious person. I think he was the best person for the job of the three that the State Central Committee of the Democratic party handed to Neil.

Aloha Brian, good luck man, thank you for serving.