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Posted: Sunday, February 28th, 2010 7:54 AM HST

GOP looks to blue Hawaii for gains in Congress

By Associated Press

HONOLULU (AP) — The battle for control of Congress is moving to the unlikeliest of places: President Barack Obama's home state. Republicans hope they can gain ground in traditionally Democratic Hawaii in a three-way, winner-take-all special election tentatively scheduled for May 22. The campaign kicked into high gear Sunday, when Democrat Neil Abercrombie stepped down from the congressional seat he's held for 19 years to pursue a run for governor. The unique nature of this election has created a chance for Republicans to make inroads in this far-flung bastion of Democratic control. If the two Democrats split the vote, the Republican candidate could sneak in. With three candidates in the race, whoever gets at least 33 percent of the votes will win. The candidates are former Democratic Congressman Rep. Ed Case; Democratic state Senate President Colleen Hanabusa; and Honolulu Councilman Charles Djou, a Republican. (Copyright 2010 Associated Press. All rights reserved)