HONOLULU (KHON2) — Hawaii’s Governor Josh Green held a press conference providing multiple updates regarding the state budget bill, legislative session and more at the State Capitol.
On Wednesday, Governor Green discussed his decision not to appoint a successor to the vacant Senate District 22 seat.
According to Green, two of the three names submitted to him to fill former Senator Maile Shimabukuro’s seat, who vacated her seat on May 31, are in active primaries for Senate District 22.
It is my constitutional obligation to support free and fair elections and an appointment this close to the election would have caused me to fail that responsibility. I have conferred with the Attorney General and have decided that my intent is to name the appointee who wins the Democratic Primary for Senate District 22 shortly after the election results are certified.
Governor Josh Green M.D. in a statement
He added that his decision to wait to appoint a successor until after the Primary Election is meant to respect the people’s will to elect appointees without any prior influence.