Gov. Abercrombie to appoint Inouye replacement

Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie (D) must make a temporary appointment to fill Sen. Daniel Inouye's (D-Hawaii) seat, following the Senator's death on Monday, until a special election is held for a candidate to fill out the rest of Inouye's term.

The most senior and second-longest-serving senator, Inouye died died of respiratory complications on Monday evening, according to the Associated Press.

His death leaves a vacancy that Hawaii election law dictates will be filled by an interim appointment from the governor. Abercrombie will have to choose from a list of three potential appointees submitted by the Hawaii Democratic Party.

Whoever he appoints will serve until a special election in 2014, where Hawaii voters will choose a senator to serve the remainder of Inouye's term, until 2016.

Inouye had planned to run for a record 10th term in 2016.

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