Press release issued on November 10, 2008 from the Minority Leader's Office

The Senate Republicans have organized. In a statement today Senator Fred Hemmings said, "It didn't take long and it wasn't difficult to count votes, but I am pleased to announce that Senator Sam Slom and I will be working constructively together to represent in the Hawaii State Senate the Republican principles we hold dear." Senator Hemmings will continue to serve as Minority Leader, Senator Sam Slom as Floor Leader. Senator Slom added, "The Legislature has many daunting tasks in front of us, the budget and perennial problems with economic opportunity, education and energy to mention a few make our role as the Minority party even more significant. Senator Hemmings and I are united on the issues and will continue to offer the people of Hawaii an alternative to business as usual."

Hawaii Voters State Their Preference

Island voters cast their ballots to help elect Senator Barack Obama to the presidency, making him the first Hawaii born person to achieve ascendancy to the nation's highest office. Obama's coat-tails were long as many candidates in the majority party won re-election with several new ones getting into office for the first time.

The State Senate will now have 23 Democrats and 2 Republicans, I am one of the two. In the electoral process, incumbent Republican Senator Gordon Trimble lost his seat. Earlier this year Republican Senator Paul Whalen announced his retirement. Those seats are now in the majority party. Over at the House of Representatives, the 2 party system has been weakened as Democrats now control all but 6 seats in the 51-seat body.

Finally, the vote on rail transit was barely won, and the Constitutional Convention proposal was defeated. More election results at http://www.hawaii.gov/elections.