HONOLULU — Former Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann has announced he will run for governor as an independent.
He says he is more likely to win if candidates from major parties split the vote.
Hannemann told the Honolulu Star Advertiser he has always been a moderate and a centrist. He says he has done well in general elections where he can appeal to voters across the political spectrum.
Hannemann describes his independent campaign as a pragmatic way of getting to the general election. He lost to Gov. Neil Abercrombie in the Democratic primary for governor in 2010 and to U.S. Rep Tulsi Gabbard in the Democratic primary for Congress in 2012.
Abercrombie faces state Sen. David Ige in a Democratic primary. Former Lt. Gov. James “Duke” Aiona is running as a Republican.