I know I can serve Hawaii and our country well in the U.S. Senate, know we can mount a solid statewide campaign, know we have a good chance of prevailing.

Mink died on September 28 2002 one week after the primary election leaving her 107th Congress (2001–2003) seat vacant. In 2000 he won re-election to a fourth term unopposed. 108-481).

Case a Blue Dog Democrat first came to prominence in Hawaii as majority leader of the Hawaii State Legislature and for his campaign for Governor of Hawaii in 2002. In April 2011 Case announced his candidacy in the Democratic primary for the Senate election in 2012 after Daniel Akaka announced his retirement. Case lost the primary election 53%–46%.