Senator, ex-reporter among Lt Gov candidates

HONOLULU (AP) - Four candidates are trying to unseat incumbent Lt. Gov. Shan Tsutsui in the Democratic nomination for the position.

The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported Monday observers expect the primary to come down to Tsutsui and state Sen. Clayton Hee, with a wild card being former TV journalist Mary Zanakis.

Other Democrats in the primary include Sam Puletasi and Miles Shiratori. Elwin P. Ahu and Warner Kimo Sutton are vying for the Republican nomination. Les Chang is the Hawaii Independent Party's candidate.

Hawaii Pacific University communications professor John Hart says Tsutsui lacks name recognition while Hee comes with some negative baggage.

Hart says Zanakis could be a factor, as she's hoping voters remember her from her 22 years as a TV news reporter.

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