HILO — Chris Todd will become the newest — and one of the youngest — members of the state Legislature after being appointed Thursday to replace Rep. Clift Tsuji, who died Nov. 15.
Gov. David Ige selected Todd, a political newcomer who is a distribution manager at Hawaii Paper Products, to the District 2 seat covering Hilo from a list of three nominees submitted by the Hawaii County Democratic Party.
At 28, he’s the same age as Rep. Kaniela Ing, D-Maui, whose bio page on the Legislature’s website says he is the youngest member.
Tsuji, a Democrat who was first elected in 2004, died at age 75 shortly after being re-elected in the Nov. 8 general election.
Todd, who also coaches Hilo High School football, will serve Tsuji’s two-year term.
In a phone interview, Todd said he realized it might have taken a bit of a leap of faith to nominate and appoint him, given he hasn’t held office before.
“I’m very appreciative of the opportunity,” he said. “I hope to do right by the people who have given me this opportunity.”
Todd said he will be working “extremely long hours” to prepare for the legislative session that starts Jan. 18. He said he plans to focus on education and poverty-related measures.
Todd is the son of Bobby Jean Leithead Todd, who has been active in local politics and the Democratic Party for decades. He acknowledged that likely boosted his chances but that he wasn’t sure if it secured his appointment or nomination.
“A lot of it comes down to my family having a solid reputation in the community and strong local roots,” he said.
Leithead Todd is a former County Councilwoman who most recently was Hawaii County’s Environmental Management director.
Todd said his mother exposed him to politics at a young age, and he credited her with instilling him with compassion for those who lack opportunities to succeed.
“I’ve been trying to do my best through football and tutoring,” he said. “I try to be the spark that might lead them out of the cycle of poverty.”
The party also nominated former County Councilman Stacy Higa and Moana Kelii, a Hawaii Government Employees Association union agent who unsuccessfully ran for County Council in the general election. Of the five people who were interviewed, Todd received the third most votes from local party officials.
The nomination process was criticized for appearing to be decided before interviews were held a month ago.
A text message exchange obtained by West Hawaii Today showed Democratic Party District 2 Chairman Micah Alameda and Vice Chairman Derek Inaba agreeing on who would be nominated ahead of time.
The exchange showed they had the votes locked up for Kelii, Higa and Todd, in that order, which reflected the actual tally.
The texts convinced two seasoned former council members — J Yoshimoto and Dennis Onishi — to skip the interviews all together.
Alameda characterized that as “lobbying” but concerns over the process have led to new party rules being proposed, which the local party could consider later this month.
Ige, who didn’t include a quote in his announcement Thursday, said he wasn’t going to intervene in the nomination process.
In a separate statement, House Speaker Joseph Souki said he supports the appointment.
“Chris has big shoes to fill, but his business and coaching experience along with being born and raised in Hilo will give him a wide knowledge of the issues and concerns of Big Island residents,” Souki said.
“We miss Clift at the state Capitol but believe the District 2 seat will be in good hands.”
Todd is the second representative Ige has appointed to fill a Hilo seat in the past year.
Following the death of Sen. Gil Kahele, he appointed Kai Kahele, the late senator’s son, to fill the seat last February.
Kahele won the following election last November.
Email Tom Callis at tcallis@hawaiitribune-herald.com.