Inouye chief of staff 'very disappointed' Hanabusa not picked for Senate

Deceased former Sen. Daniel Inouye's (D-Hawaii) chief of staff said she was "very disappointed" that Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie (D) didn't honor Inouye's dying wish for Rep. Colleen Hanabusa (D-Hawaii) to be named to his seat.

"Sen. Inouye conveyed his final wish to Gov. Abercrombie. While we are very disappointed that it was not honored, it was the governor's decision to make," Inouye Chief of Staff Jennifer Sabas told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser in a statement. "We wish Brian Schatz the best of luck."

Abercrombie's choice of Schatz, who has been Hawaii's lieutenant governor, came as a surprise to many because Inouye is beloved by Hawaii Democrats. He — or Abercrombie — could face a primary challenge as a result of the choice, though Hanabusa made no mention of such a challenge in her statement to the paper.

She congratulated Schatz and promised to "continue to work to serve the people of our state, and support our delegation's efforts."

"Having served as chair of the Hawaii Senate Judiciary Committee when the succession law was passed, I fully respect the process and the governor's right to appoint a successor," Hanabusa said in a news release.

Schatz will be sworn in on Thursday, making him Hawaii's senior senator, as Sen.-elect Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) won't be sworn in until the next Congress.

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