2018 Primary Election Candidates

Click to select a candidate

Name on ballot:

CASE, Ed

Running for:

U.S. House

District (if applicable):

First Congressional (Honolulu from Makapu'u to Mililani and Ko Olina)

Political party:

Democrat

Campaign website:

www.edcase.com

Current occupation:

Senior Vice President & Chief Legal Officer, O

Age:

Previous job history:

Attorney/Co-Managing Attorney, Bays Lung Rose & Holma (Honolulu); United States Congressman; Attorney/Managing Partner, Carlsmith Ball (Honolulu); Hawaii State Representative; Law Clerk, Hawai'i Supreme Court Chief Justice William Richardson; Law Cler

Previous elected office, if any:

United States Congressman (2002-2005); Hawaii State Representative (1994-2002); Manoa Neighborhood Board (1985-1989)

What qualifies you to represent the people of Hawaii?

The sum total of my four generation-deep roots in Hawai'i in all four counties, my over four years of prior service in Congress and almost seven years of experience overall on Capitol Hill, my service in state and community elective office, my over three decades of experience in Hawaii's private sector, my political philosophy and beliefs which represent the mainstream of Hawaii's voters, my record of accomplishment and results in both the public and the private sectors, my focus on solving problems and staying in touch with those I serve, and my demonstrated dedication and commitment to public service.

What are the top three challenges facing the voters you seek to represent?

The top challenge facing the voters of Hawaii's First Congressional District is the same challenge that faces the voters in all other districts throughout our country, which is to fix our broken government in D.C. through less yelling and fighting and more talking and working on the many critical issues facing our nation. Another challenge more specific to Hawaii overall including the 1st Congressional is to assure ongoing funding and efficient and flexible operation of key federal programs of key importance to Hawaii including our military, transportation, education, housing, and Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and our social safety net. A further challenge is to assure that the key pillars of Hawaii's economy and jobs such as tourism remain strong.

If elected, what will be your highest legislative priority?

Maintaining and improving a strong national economy which produces good jobs, a good quality of life and good opportunity for all citizens and our families.

If elected, what can you do to improve the lives of your constituents?

First, work for the right solutions and make the right decisions on national issues affecting all Americans such as our economy, taxes, education, the environment, health care, housing and foreign relations especially with our Asia-Pacific neighbors. Second, work to make sure that our Hawaii is getting a fair share and a fair shake from our national government in ways that work best here. Third, work to solve the individual concerns with our federal government of each of my constituents such as in the areas of immigration, veterans benefits, and Social Security and Medicare benefits.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you?

My candidacy to return to Congress was sparked in large part by my participation in Issue One (www.issueone.org) and its ReFormers Caucus, a group of now almost 200 former members of Congress, governors and cabinet members. Our focus is on the excessive influence of money in politics, especially inside-the-Beltway, large donor and soft/dark money, the disenfranchisement of most Americans from the halls of government and the resultant dangerous subversive effect on our basic principle of consent of the governed.

We advocate for common-sense reforms in five overall categories: everyone participates (encouraging small donors); everyone knows (requiring immediate disclosure and full transparency); everyone plays by the rules (strengthening conflicts of interest and ethics rules); everyone is held accountable (strengthening enforcement); and everyone has a voice (confirming Congress’ authority to govern money in politics in response mainly to Citizens United). There are now growing Reformers Caucuses of current members of Congress in both the House and the Senate and I would join them to continue to advocate for these reforms from the inside.