[2/13/20] Surrounded by various downtown notables, Rick Blangiardi formally announced his candidacy for Honolulu mayor Wednesday.
The newly retired HNN television general manager joins a field that includes Honolulu businessman Keith Amemiya, former state Sen. John Carroll, former U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa, activist and Realtor Choon James and City Councilwoman Kym Pine.
Running under the slogan “It’s About You,” Blangiardi acknowledged that he is a political novice making his first foray into government. He rattled off a series of priority issues facing Honolulu Hale, including the ongoing headaches with the $9.2 billion rail project, the fight against homelessness, the need to beef up the Honolulu Police Department and other public safety agencies, and getting more help for seniors.
Told that those are largely the same priorities for the current mayor and asked what he would do differently, Blangiardi made it clear he didn’t know the answers but that he is willing to listen to Oahu voters and form his opinions based on what he learns.
“I’m not a politician, I’m just a person who loves our island home and wants the chance to use my leadership and management experience to serve our community and make life better for all of us,” he said.
[1/3/20] Television executive Rick Blangiardi surprised his staff and simultaneously shook up Oahu’s political community Thursday when he announced he is retiring from his job and intends to join the race for Honolulu mayor.
Blangiardi told the Honolulu Star- Advertiser that he expects to finish up as president and general manager of Hawaii News Now by the middle of the month and then make a formal announcement about his political plans in the ensuing weeks.
“I’ve always been a believer that you should leave on top, and while I leave Hawaii News Now in a great place … I still feel like I still have a lot in me to give,” Blangiardi said. “We’re not quite there yet … but I can tell you I am definitely doing this.”
Blangiardi, 73, has not previously run for political office, but has served on a number of community boards. Viewers of what’s generally regarded as the state’s largest TV news outlet are likely already familiar with Blangiardi because of his frequent on-air “Local Connection” commentaries on timely news issues including politics in the middle of newscasts.
Among his favorite topics is homelessness, the cost of living in Hawaii and government’s inability to tackle those issues successfully. Blangiardi said Thursday he’ll have more to say about the issues after he makes his announcement.
He would be entering what’s already a crowded field for mayor that could grow even longer in the coming months. Candidates already announced or holding fundraisers for the mayor’s office are former U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa, incumbent City Council members Ron Menor and Kymberly Pine, Honolulu businessman Keith Amemiya and former state Sen. John Carroll. Also considering the nonpartisan race are former Mayor Mufi Hannemann and former U.S. Rep. Charles Djou.
A term-limit law bars current Mayor Kirk Caldwell from running for a third, consecutive term when his current term ends at the end this year.
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