Hawaii's Rep. Abercrombie says he'll resign seat after key votes

[ccharles000]

U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie said yesterday that a collapse of leadership in Hawai'i has motivated him to resign from Congress and return in a matter of weeks to campaign full time for governor.

The Hawai'i Democrat, speaking at a news conference at his campaign headquarters at Ward Warehouse, would not give a specific date for his resignation because of the uncertain timing of key votes in Congress.

Abercrombie said he would remain in Congress for expected votes on health care reform, a Native Hawaiian federal recognition bill and other federal legislation important to the Islands.

But Abercrombie, who has served two decades in Congress, said he would likely resign in a matter of weeks, not months.

A special election will be held to fill the remaining months of his two-year term, which ends in January 2011.

"We need to have leadership. There's been a total collapse of leadership in the state," Abercrombie said. "There's a lack of confidence in what's taking place in the state."

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[tularetom]

1. WTF? He doesn't think there's a collapse of leadership in congress?

He's one of the good guys. I'd hate to see him replaced by some, repub or corporate owned Democrat.