Hawaii News Now - KGMB and KHNL HomeCandidate Announces Intention to Run Against Harbin

Candidate Announces Intention to Run Against Harbin

(KHNL)  It's only January but one candidate is already throwing in his hat for the primary election.

Karl Rhoads says he will run for state house district 28 -- the Chinatown/Downtown area. That's the seat currently occupied by representative Bev Harbin.

Rhoads was one of the four candidates offered by democrats to replace Ken Hiraki back in 2005. 

Now Rhoads has taken it upon himself to run for the seat which was filled when governor lingle chose Harbin last September.

Following Harbin's appointment, it was revealed she owed $125,000 in state taxes.  

In addition, Harbin had three misdemeanor convictions for passing bad checks in 1987.

"I was interested in this race even before I knew who Bev Harbin was. So i think honesty is something the people have the right to expect from their representatives," said Rhoads over the weekend during a press conference outside the state capitol.

"I think honest, experience, ethics that's all in the eye of the beholder. Bascially, to be of pure heart and soul makes you not a person of experience," said Harbin.

Harbin says her appointment "stirred the pot" and is helping change politics in Hawaii.

The primary election is scheduled for September 23rd.