The Progressive Change Campaign Committee endorsed Hawai’i CD1 congressional candidate Kaniela Ing. Ing was first elected to the Hawai’i State Legislature in 2012 at age 23. He walked his precinct three times to pull off this upset against an incumbent Republican sweeping the election with 61% his first time out.
Kaniela is a powerful voice for Medicare-for-All, tuition-free college and fighting the climate crisis. He says,
“People are being left behind, and need a representative who understands today’s struggle of paying for college, buying a home, and raising a family. For years, I’ve been working with PCCC at the state level to pass free community college, enact stricter gun control, and combat climate change in Hawaii. I’m excited to continue this partnership as we bring our progressive vision and new ideas to Congress.”
Stephanie Taylor, co-founder, Progressive Change Campaign Committee said, “We’re endorsing Kaniela Ing because he’s an authentic, inspiring progressive who isn’t afraid to take on Republicans with a bold economic populist message.”
Ing’s achievement in sponsoring and passing same day voter registration in Hawai’i will, he hopes, inspire more young first time voters to turn out.
During the acrimonious hearings on marriage equality, Ing spoke movingly for equality, even though he had been raised in an anti-gay church. He spoke persuasively against the religious arguments of those who wanted to block marriage equality. You can see the way he speaks against bigotry with aloha and understanding.
Previously Kaniela Ing had been endorsed by the Justice Democrats.
Since Hawaii is a Democratic majority state, Ing’s challenge will be winning the primary. Once he wins that, he is almost certain to be elected. His opponent is former AG Douglas Chin who has good name recognition for joining the states’ lawsuit against Trump’s Muslim Ban (Neal Katya was hired to do the actual legal work). Chin recently re-registered as a Democrat which is happening a lot in Hawai’i. Even Charles Djou, a former Republican who held this CD1 position, has abandoned his R status as being toxic to his political ambitions.)
Ing’s opponent, Chin, does carry some baggage for increasing incarceration rates as Prosecutor in Honolulu and for being a paid lobbyist for Corrections Corporation of America (hmmm...kinda strange coincidence!) which may harm his chances and ensure Ing’s primary win. Corrections Corporation of America is very unpopular in Hawai’i as it runs the Arizona prison to which many of Hawaii’s prisoners are sent. There has been much outcry over the deaths and mistreatment of these Hawai’i prisoners by CCA.
Ing’s messages are inspiring and hopeful. Here he rallies young people to get involved:
You can donate to Kaniela Ing’s campaign at KanielaIng.com
UPDATE: March 23, 2018. Democracy for America just endorsed Kaniela Ing.