Former state Democratic chairman Brickwood Galuteria says he may run for state Senate next year in the district held by state Sen. Gordon Trimble, R-12th (Waikiki, Ala Moana, Downtown).

Galuteria, a former radio personality, owns a condominium in the district and has formed a Friends of Brickwood committee to raise money for a possible campaign.

Trimble, first elected in 2002, is the most active floor speaker among the Senate's five Republicans and routinely votes against majority Democrats.

If Galuteria runs, Trimble would be the second Senate Republican to face a potentially difficult re-election campaign. State Rep. Josh Green, D-6th (N. Kona, Keauhou, Kailua-Kona), a Big Island doctor, is running in the district held by state Sen. Paul Whalen, R-3rd (Kohala, Kona, Ka'u).

"We're just beginning to get serious," Galuteria said Thursday. "If we do run, we'll run hard and we'll run smart.

"I respect Gordon. I respect what he's done over the years."

Galuteria was party chairman from 2004 to 2006.

Trimble was an economist, trade representative and foreign trade administrator for the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism before coming to the Senate. He said Galuteria would give voters a choice.

"I think it's positive for the process and it will result in more people coming out on election day," he said.

Trimble was stripped of his title as minority policy leader in 2005 after he joined Democratic factions in a vote to undermine the leadership of then-Senate president Robert Bunda, D-22nd (North Shore, Wahiawa), without telling other Senate Republicans.

Republicans said they plan to defend all their incumbents next year. "Gordon Trimble has been a good senator and we fully support his re-election," said Sam Aiona, a former GOP state chairman.

Reach Derrick DePledge at ddepledge@honoluluadvertiser.com.