Area Senator Running For Congress To Represent Urban Oahu

Donna Mercado Kim

State Sen. Donna Mercado Kim, an area Democrat, announced last month that she is running for U.S. Congress to represent urban Oahu in the First Congressional District.

A Kalihi resident, Kim currently represents the 14th senatorial district, which includes portions of Halawa and Aiea, along with Kapalama, Alewa, Kalihi Valley, Ft. Shafter and Moanalua Gardens and Valley. She also serves as the senate president.

“I have had the privilege to serve on the Honolulu City Council, in the state House of Representatives, the State Senate as Senate President,” stated Kim. “With this experience comes a perspective that I want to take to Washington, D.C., on behalf of the people of Hawaii. It is with my son and grandchildren in mind that I have been passionate and unwavering in my public service. It is my goal to turn over to them a better state and better union.”

Kim launched her political career in 1982 when she was first elected to the state House of Representatives. She also served on the Honolulu City Council before joining the Senate in 2000.

Prior to assuming her current role as senate president, Kim chaired the Ways and Means and Tourism committees.

If elected to Congress, Kim plans to strengthen government accountability, eliminate wasteful spending and avoid tax hikes.

“Our immediate priorities should include refining the Affordable Care Act to ensure that it fulfills its mandates,” Kim said. “In particular, we need to take measures to reduce its financial burden on small businesses, which are facing huge cost increases.

“I want to see Congress adopt a budget instead of passing continuing resolutions, as well as take bold steps to better balance our revenues and long-term obligations for our citizens. In this regard, while I believe that our foreign relationships are important, we should be directing more attention to the problems facing our society: poverty, homelessness and hunger among them.”

Serving on Congress, she said, also will continue to help her own district on a larger scale.

“In my district and throughout the state, road repair and maintenance are a high priority, along with fixing our schools and the University of Hawaii,” she said.

“Before we embark on new programs or new construction, we must be able to maintain what we have and take into account the long-term obligations inherent in any new government service or new construction project.”

So far, Kim has been endorsed by IBEW Local 1260, a union that represents 3,300 electrical workers in Hawaii and Guam.

For more information, visit donnamercadokim.com.