Hawai'i Republican Party Chairman Jonah Ka'auwai released the following statement on the resignation of Rep. Neil Abercrombie:

“Abercrombie’s resignation is simply a desperate move by the Democrat Party to steal the election from the frontrunner Charles Djou.


“Today, Furlough Friday, children are at home because of our failed Democrat-dominated politics. Yet Rep. Neil Abercrombie is going to force a special election and waste millions of dollars for what can only be described as his own personal political greed. How can someone who wants to hold the state’s highest office possibly believe this is right for the state of Hawai'i?


“What people in Hawai'i are looking for is an individual with unfailing values not based on words but on actions. Charles Djou represents the Hawai'i Republican values of liberty, limited government, individual responsibility, fiscal accountability and equality of opportunity. Now more than ever our state and our nation need a candidate that embodies these values.


“We welcome the special election as an opportunity for voters to send a strong signal to an out of control Congress.”