WhoRunsGov

Charles K. Djou

Former U.S. Representative (May 2010 to January 2011)

(Djou campaign site)

Why He Matters

Only the second Republican ever elected from Hawaii to the House, Djou won a May 2010 mail-in special election to succeed Rep. Neil Abercrombie (D-Hawaii), who resigned to focus on the 2010 governor's race.

Though a Republican win in the Honolulu-based 1st district would normally be considered an upset, Djou took advantage of the fact that there weren't any party primaries for the election in which state Senate President Colleen Hanabusa (D) and former Rep. Ed Case (D) split their party's vote. Though the majority of voters backed the Democrats, Djou won the seat with less than 40 percent of the vote.

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At a Glance

  • Career History: Honolulu City Councilman (2002-May 2010); Hawaii State House (2000-2002); House minority leader (2001-2002);assistant House minority whip (2001-2002); Hawaii Republican Party,vice chairman (1998-1999); U.S. Army Reserves; Attorney
  • Birthday: Aug. 9, 1970
  • Hometown: Los Angeles, Calif.
  • Alma Mater: University of Pennsylvania, B.A. political science, B.S. economics from Wharton School of Business, both 1992; University of Southern California Law School, J.D., 1996
  • Spouse: Stacey Kawasaki Djou
  • Religion: Christian
  • Committees: Budget; Armed Services
  • DC Office: 1502 Longworth House Office Building, 202-225-2726
  • State/District Office: Honolulu, 808-541-2570
  • Web site
 

Path to Power

Born in Los Angeles in 1970, Djou is the son of Chinese-American immigrants. He moved to Hawaii when he was 3, after his father, an engineer, was transferred by his employer.

Djou graduated from the Punahou School, also President Obama's alma mater. As a junior at the school, Djou joined the successful 1988 House campaign of Republican Pat Saiki, who would become the islands' first-ever GOP representative and only second GOP member of Congress.

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The Issues

Djou is a moderate on social issues. While he has said that Roe v. Wade is settled law, he supports parental notification and opposes late-term abortion procedures and public funding of abortion. He opposes same-sex marriage.

In May 2010, Djou was one of five Republicans to vote to repeal the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy regarding the service of homosexuals in the military.

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The Network

Former Rep. Pat Saiki (R-Hawaii), Djou's political mentor, served as his honorary campaign chairwoman for his House bid. She convinced him to run by saying the only way Republicans could be successful in the islands is if more of them contend.

Gov. Linda Lingle (R-Hawaii), a moderate, was a prominent supporter of Djou's campaign, recording robocalls during the campaign. Djou said he talks with the governor on nearly a weekly basis.

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Additional Resources

  1. Rucker, Philip, "Obama's Hawaii birthplace gives House seat to GOP" The Washington Post, May 24, 2010
  2. Klein, Philip, "Djou Hopes for Hawaiian Surprise" The American Spectator, March 12, 2010
  3. Toeplitz, Shira, "GOP Says Aloha to 2010 Special Election" Roll Call, Dec. 15, 2009
  4. Toeplitz, Shira, "Hawaii: City Councilman Eyes Abercrombie Seat in '10" Roll Call, Oct. 16, 2008
  5. "Lingle records message urging support for Djou" The Honolulu Advertiser, May 18, 2010
  6. DePledge, Derrick, "Abercrombie to run for governor in 2010" The Honolulu Advertiser, March 7, 2009
  7. Isenstadt, Alex, "DCCC pulls plug on Hawaii special election" Politico, May 10, 2010
  8. Pang, Gordon Y.K., "Hawaii Republicans are pinning big hopes on a Djou victory" The Honolulu Advertiser, May 5, 2010
  9. "Five Questions: Charles Djou" Honolulu Advertiser, April 18, 2010
  10. "Djou says victory sends message that nation is overburdened by taxes" The Honolulu Advertiser, May 22, 2010
  11. Klein, Philip, "Djou Hopes for Hawaiian Surprise" The American Spectator, March 12, 2010
  12. Niesse, Mark, "Obama calls on Hawaii voters to back a Democrat" The Associated Press, May 4, 2010
  13. "Case withdraws from Congressional race" The Honolulu Advertiser, May 30, 2010
  14. Toeplitz, Shira, "DCCC Weighs Picking Sides in Hawaii Contest" Roll Call, April 5, 2010
  15. "Democrats condemn Djou's stimulus criticism" The Associated Press, Feb. 3, 2010
  16. Sample, Herbert A., "Poll shows Djou ahead while Dems split vote" The Associated Press, May 3, 2010
  17. "House Vote 317 - Allows Repeal of Ban on Gays in Military" The New York Times, May 27, 2010
  18. Pang, Gordon Y.K., "Hawaii Republicans are pinning big hopes on a Djou victory" The Honolulu Advertiser, May 5, 2010
  19. State Results, Hawaii 01, Election Center 2010, CNN
  20. Isenstadt, Alex and Josh Kraushaar, "Dems' special-election scramble" Politico, April 6, 2010