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Posted: Wednesday, June 13th, 2012 8:56 AM HST

Democrats won't pursue Thielen in court

By Ken Hupp - 67AM KPUA News

The Democratic Party of Hawai`i will not file a legal challenge to Laura Thielen's candidacy for the state Senate as a Democrat. State Chairman and former Big Island Mayor Dante Carpenter says the party lacks the financial resources to expend on a court challenge, so the state central committee will instead consider whether to reprimand, censure or expel Thielen, who is challenging O`ahu state Senator Pohai Ryan. The party determined Thielen, who headed the Department of Land and Natural Resources under Republican Governor Linda Lingle was ineligible to run as a Democrat, because she had not been a member in good standing for six months.