Hawaii's police union has endorsed republican Linda Lingle in the race for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Dan Akaka.
The union said it's backing the republican candidate because of her track record on backing their sector and because they say she's also the only one who came asking.
The 3,000 member union said that as mayor and then as governor, Linda Lingle put public safety first and foremost. Other candidates say they didn't get an equal chance at the nod.
"We're not about a particular party card-carrying person. It's the person's heart and the person's vision," said Tenari Maafala of SHOPO.
"When I talked with some of the officers on the different islands, they're excited to go with me as I go door to door, they're excited to come to events, so it's a very important endorsement," said Lingle.
"I think that the process of an endorsement interview of all candidates is incredibly helpful to the union," said Ed Case, democratic candidate for U.S. Senate. "When they don't do that, that's when members start asking, well what's going on here?" said Case.
Case said he'd sent a letter last fall to all major unions asking for their consideration and seeking a meeting.
Democrat Mazie Hirono said her record on fighting crime is strong, citing more than 200 officers added in her district when she supported a federal program.
Case is taking on Hirono for the general election spot on the democratic ticket.
Also on Monday, UPW said it's backing former mayor Mufi Hannemann in his run for congress. They have about 13,000 members statewide.
