MEDIA RELEASE

For the third straight debate for Hawaii’s open U.S. Senate seat, Democratic nominee Mazie Hirono showed the people of Hawaii her commitment to them, their values and priorities. In contrast, Republican Linda Lingle followed her now-established pattern – advocating policies and parroting statements of national Republicans Mitt Romney, Paul Ryan and John Boehner.

“As we saw during tonight’s KITV4 debate, Mazie will stand up for Hawaii’s keiki, kupuna and working families, as well as build a stronger foundation for economic growth here in the Aloha State,” said Betsy Lin, Hirono’s Campaign Manager. “Mazie has a record of success during her years of public service and, tonight, she laid out some of her recent achievements – from protecting Hawaii’s Pre-Paid Health Care Act in 2010 to securing $6 million annually to improve Hawaii’s airports earlier this year. If elected, Mazie will continue to advance Hawaii’s interests in the U.S. Senate in a collaborative manner.”

Lin also highlighted the contrast with respects to Lingle’s debate performance, saying, “Well, I feel that Hawaii voters could have just watched Mitt Romney’s performance during today’s Presidential debate and they would have saved an hour, given that Lingle essentially repeated his policy positions and those of national Republican leaders. Our Republican opponent can say ‘People First’ over and over again, but the truth is that the Romney/Lingle policies would put the people of Hawaii in an awful position.”

During the 1-hour statewide televised debate, Hirono also reaffirmed her commitment to protecting and strengthening Medicare, Social Security and Obamacare; fighting for tax fairness; and, curbing our reliance on fossil fuels by building a more sustainable Hawaii that produces more clean, renewable energy, which would in turn create jobs. In contrast, Lingle doubled down on turning Medicare into a private-insurance voucher program; extending the Bush Tax Cuts for the wealthy; and, touting her “accomplishments” while governor. Like the previous debates, Lingle presented more half-truths and misleading attacks about Hirono’s career and record. (Note: below, you will find important fact-checks related to tonight’s debate and comments that Lingle made.)

Tonight’s debate was the third General Election debates between Hirono and Lingle. The next debate will be broadcast 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 18 on PBS Hawaii.