After nearly 12 years in office, state Sen. Josh Green has built a massive campaign war chest of more than $500,000 — money he is considering using for a run for either governor or lieutenant governor in 2018.
“I’m keeping that option open,” said Green, a Democrat who represents Kona and Ka‘u.
“It’s one of those things, if you want to be serious about a race of that size you really have to plan ahead.”
That planning included two fundraisers he held in Honolulu in 2015, each with a suggested donation of $500.
Green had $527,956 in campaign cash as of June 30, which he could use for a run for higher office.
That doubles the amount held by Sen. Donna Mercado Kim, who has the second-largest campaign fund with $248,635.
Green said he would only run for lieutenant governor if Shan Tsutsui, who currently holds that position, decides not to run again.
But Green, an emergency room physician, said he would consider a primary challenge of Gov. David Ige if he felt his administration wasn’t doing a good job. Ige himself was elected in 2014 after defeating then-Gov. Neil Abercrombie in the primary.
“I’m not gunning for the governor,” Green said.
“Obviously, I’m preparing for the very long term in case I continue to develop and people think I can do a good job.”
He said he has been approached about running for either position.
Green said his issues with the administration stem from the response to the island’s dengue fever outbreak and the conflict over telescope construction on Mauna Kea.
“From dengue to the way the leadership from Oahu governs, sometimes it’s not thoughtful enough of how the rest of us are living our lives in the rest of the state,” Green said.
“I take that to heart and I would not hesitate to run against an incumbent if I thought they weren’t treating people well enough.”
Green currently is the majority floor leader/whip in the Senate.
He held the chairmanship of the Senate Health Committee until last year following a leadership shakeup that saw Ronald Kouchi replace Kim as Senate president.
Email Tom Callis at tcallis@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
