Two-term State House District 11 representative Tina Wildberger will not run for office this year, she said Monday in a surprise announcement that is sure to send shock waves through Maui’s political landscape.
“I will not be running for re-election, nor will I seek further political office for the 2022 election cycle,” said Wildberger, whose district encompasses Kihei, Wailea and Makena. “When I first sought office, the pool of progressive, community-focused candidates in South Maui was non-existent. Today, we have dedicated candidates who want to serve our constituents.”
Wildberger was first elected in 2018, besting longtime Maui politician Don Couch. She handily defeated Couch by an almost 30-point margin in a 2020 rematch.
The popular progressive legislator’s decision promises to upend South and West Maui state legislative races.Wildberger was widely rumored to be considering a run for Sen. Roz Baker’s District 6 State Senate seat if Baker retired (which Baker has been telling some constituents she plans to announce after the end of the legislative session. UPDATE: Baker says she is “contemplating” not running again when her term expires but has not made a decision yet). District 6 encompasses South and West Maui.
Jockeying for position
South Maui County Council Member Kelly King and progressive activist Terez Amato are both considering Hawaii State Legislature runs, though it’s unclear which office either will pursue. Neither has pulled papers with the state Office of Elections yet but have until June 7 to do so. Amato ran and lost against Baker in 2014. King announced in March that she would not seek re-election to her South Maui Council seat and has thrown her support behind progressive candidate Robin Knox, who so far is facing one other opponent, general contractor Tom Cook.
In an interview, Wildberger said that King’s recent announcement to seek state office was a factor in her decision. “Kelly’s choice opened an opportunity for me to pass the baton,” she explained. Wildberger added that she will continue to work for her constituents through the remainder of her term. “Once the filing deadline passes, I will know which campaigns I might be interested in supporting.”
Currently there are no announced candidates for Wildberger’s seat. State House representative Angus McKelvey, who holds West Maui’s District 14 seat, has pulled papers to run for Baker’s seat, as well as for U.S. Rep. Kai Kahele’s District 11 seat in the U.S. Congress, according to the state Office of Elections. Democrat Shaina Forsyth and Republican Sheila Walker, who spearheaded the unsuccessful campaign to recall Mayor Michael Victorino, also have pulled papers for Baker’s seat.
Accomplishments and Challenges
Wildberger has been an outspoken advocate for numerous South Maui issues, especially those involving water and disaster preparation. In her statement, she said that she was proud of her work as a member of the House Water, Land & Hawaiian Affairs committee “where I helped Nā Wai ‘Ehā —South Maui’s water source—avoid sale to a private entity.”
Her office also directed a team of volunteers who completed the area’s Hawai’i Hazards Awareness & Resilience Program certification. Wildberger said she would like to help her successor “continue the important work of keeping that certification current. It is crucial to develop relief relationships before a disaster strikes.”
Wildberger told Politics on Maui that her biggest challenge as an elected official has been “sticking to my positions and voicing them when they are controversial. Career politicians tend to keep their hands off of the hot potato. Whether you’re talking about e-foils or feral cats, for example, there are passionate people who don’t want to see government interfering in their interests–even if their issue doesn’t jibe with the greater good of the community.”
Wildberger said she plans to stay active in community matters once her term has concluded and did not rule out another run in future years, saying, “Never say ‘never.'” In the meantime, she added, “This election cycle will be exciting with a lot of movement among various offices. I urge everyone to register to vote and make sure your voice is heard.”
Keep EVERYONE under the magnifying glass, Ms. Caulfield Rybak.
Tina is a dedicated lady with a vision for us here in Hawai’i. I wish her success in all of her future endeavors…
I totally understand this Progressive Democrat’s position; Tina Wildberger has left a name and a work ethic that is invaluable. It is up to progressive , democratic party members to follow that purpose and back a candidate who adheres to the positions that Tina Wildberger evidenced in the House of Representatives of Hawaii during her terms in office. Liz Wildberger, resident of California and part-time resident of south Maui.
I totally understand this Progressive Democrat’s decision; Tina Wildberger has left a name and a work ethic that is invaluable. It is up to progress, democratic party members to follow that purpose and back a candidate who adheres to the positions that Tina evidenced in the House of Representatives of Hawaii.
Mahalo Tina for all your endeavors and accomplishments for South Maui and all Her glory! We appreciate all you’ve done and continue to do for all of Hawai’i nei.
ALOHA LIZ: ….. yes, Tina has been a powerful force for progressive programs. However, by associating with the main-stream Democrat party, which is populated by numerous elected people who would be Republicans in most jurisdictions, we in Hawai’i have experienced numerous popular progressive change die on the legislative floor! Until “progressives” in Hawai’i realize that the Democrat party is not going to change, and assist in building a truly progressive political party, which stands on the four pillars of Grassroots Democracy, Nonviolence, Social Justice and Ecological Wisdom, we will continue to paddle in place. It is time for those candidates, activist and elected officials to embrace the Green Party of Hawai’i, affiliated with the Green Party of the United States and the world-wide Green Party movement. The time is now; if not now, when?